[numba41]

I know I 've read in one of the Solstice or Sky forums that it's possible to install an aftermarket intercooler from underneath the front instead of removing front fascia. I've tried searching for this topic but have come up empty. Has anyone attempted this? I would rather not remove the front fascia because its a PITA but if it's impossible to do from underneath then I have no choice. I plan to install the HAHN intercooler. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Seltzinator]

Have you heard the expression that its harder to do it the easy way?

There are a number of how-to's on removing the front fascia. I will be installing my Werks IC in a couple weeks and I'll take pics and stuff if that will help you or someone else, but I have very little mechanical experience and I feel confident in taking the fascia on/off and replacing the IC myself.

If you're a gearhead, I'm sure you could do it even easier.

 

[numba41]

Have you heard the expression that its harder to do it the easy way?

There are a number of how-to's on removing the front fascia. I will be installing my Werks IC in a couple weeks and I'll take pics and stuff if that will help you or someone else, but I have very little mechanical experience and I feel confident in taking the fascia on/off and replacing the IC myself.

If you're a gearhead, I'm sure you could do it even easier.

It's the gearhead in me that wonders if there is another way. I know it's been done but can't remember what the difficulties were relative to the fascia removal method.

 

[rob the elder]

I successfully installed the Dejon intercooler without removing the front facia. I went in through the bottom and the top. Its not difficult just time consuming. If you have two sets of hands, it goes a lot quicker.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

Yeah if you put your car on ramps you should have plenty of room to get under there. However, you might need to raise the suspension some too. if you don't have a helper, a floor jack and a block of wood is your friend. I've put a car on ramps before and then raised the suspension with a jack to gain clearance and had no problems. of course, I have ramps, 2 floor jacks and 2 sets of jack stands as well as a scissor jack. Good luck and be careful.

 

[Goat67]

I have installed the Hahn IC on mine, and I cannot imagine getting it in place without removing the facia. The Hahn unit is huge, literally twice the size of the stock IC. It takes some tweeking to get the clearance in all the right spots. If you have not got your IC yet I think you can look at the installation instructions on line to get an idea of what's involved. There are also a number of postings that were very helpful to me when I was doing mine.

 

[brap]

I installed the werks cooler last spring. Positively no way I could have done it without removing the fascia. It is larger than the stock so I did have to cut a small amount of plastic away behind the cooler to get proper fitment. Overall pretty easy to do, just time consuming.

 

[Seltzinator]

I installed the werks cooler last spring. Positively no way I could have done it without removing the fascia. It is larger than the stock so I did have to cut a small amount of plastic away behind the cooler to get proper fitment. Overall pretty easy to do, just time consuming.

How are the instructions with the Werks IC? I just ordered mine. Does it diagram where to cut away or is it all pretty obvious? Reason I ask is that my IC brackets and such are damaged, so some things aren't as obvious for me as they would be for someone with an undamaged car.

 

[Racer_X]

Honestly, I don't remember getting instructions with my intercooler, but it is VERY VERY simple to install!

 

[cdflint]

Racer X.

The OEM front bumper is so easy to remove and reset. Its very flexible. I put a Hahn IC on and the instructions are very simple. No way to get around it.

 

[Racer_X]

Cdflint--- the man!

 

[brap]

How are the instructions with the Werks IC? I just ordered mine. Does it diagram where to cut away or is it all pretty obvious? Reason I ask is that my IC brackets and such are damaged, so some things aren't as obvious for me as they would be for someone with an undamaged car.

Scratching my head too...I don't think there were install instructions, but from the responses you'll notice its pretty straight forward. It is obvious where the plastic needs to be removed. It is the piece that sits directly behind the IC. When you put the larger one up for fitment you'll know right away what to do. Its flat, thin plastic so I used tin snips and it was done in 5 minutes.

 

[wspohn]

I have the Werks IC - installation is easy and the trimming needed is obvious, as brap said.

 

[Seltzinator]

I have the Werks IC - installation is easy and the trimming needed is obvious, as brap said.

As I said (twice) I have several bent brackets around the IC and one is hanging loose, so where to cut may be less obvious for me. I was hoping for instructions so I could figure out what brackets I'll need to replace to get it in right. Maybe I'll be able to prevail upon someone who bought a Hahn IC to scan me their instructions.

 

[wspohn]

Suggest that you contact Werks, then.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

can you take a couple photo's Nathan? Then maybe someone took photo's of theirs with it out. I'll be happy to take measurements of mine if you need. On the 73 vette, I was missing a bracket that connects the front end to the frame so I ended up making my own out of 3/16 thick x 2" steel from home depot. bent it with my vice and 2lb sledge, drilled a couple holes and was good to go. I think a 3ft long piece was less than $5 and I have used it for several things. You could affix a rubber stop or bumper to it too if need be. let me know how I can help.