TURBINETECH LIQUID TO AIR INTERCOOLER INSTALL JOURNEY!

[bioevolve]

Last Week A 2hr install turns into incomplete install with probelms, then yesterday another install with problems. Make sure you get the right kit for your car and all the peice are there and the instructions are complete. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

MS6 and MS3 installs guides are little different, but some of the MS6 liquid hose routes were better than and less kinky than the MS3 guide. So I went with the MS6 route, had not choice, only had the MS6 straight hose barbs lol. TT's install guides are alittle incomplete, not to detailed.

TT install guides:
ms3intercoolerinstall.pdf
ms6intercoolerinstall.pdf


Ok lets start from the beginning somewhere: The wrong parts, This is a MS6 kit, I have a MS3. Ordered blue tubes and got black.










Got the MS3 Lower Bracket today. Won't be using that anyways.


Painting the parts.






TB and Turbo insides look kinda clean.


Removed stock IC and stuff.

Assembly of L/A IC, Nipples in.



Bolting the IC to the main shield plate.


Move the stock IC rubber grommet and guide spacers onto the main shield plate.


Now install that onto top of engine.

I did notice that the shield was abit flimsy, but it strengthens as more parts go on.


Well the pump doesn't line up to the outlet of the IC.




This tab has to be bent to line up correctly, be careful not to break it off. Bending it will make it weaker and break. Mine already broke off and I had to NATOR it up, made a new bracket. Will show later in the thread.




I had to move one of the A/C lines around abit to clear the outlet of the pump.



Removed the bumper (makes it a hell of lot easier) and hood latch brace.





Remove this plastic spacer around the hard lines.


Installed the Heat Exchange and upper bracket for test fitting. The bracket needs to be on top of the hood latch brace not under it like I did lol, was testing clearances. Also they have you installing this peice the other way, making the Heat Exchange be blocked about 50%. I put it this way so the crash bar is only blocking about 25% of the Heat Exchanger.

Make sure you put hood latch and brace back on where it was.

Now you gotta extend out the power steering lines to clear the Heat Exchanger. After taking two bolts off the brackets on each side of it,
Pull it out alittle here. Don't pull to hard or it will break/collapse/kink the pipe.

I used a 4x4 peice of wood to bend back toward the car about here. Basically shaping the piping to go around the Heat Exchanger.



The brackets on the piping will need to go outwards to compensate for the outwardness.




Since I didn't get the correct lower Heat Exchanger bracket (which I wasn't gonna use anyways, cuz I've placed my Exchanger lower) I made a lower bracket from Aluminum strip bar plate 1/8" and attached it to the radiator support frame.




Now the Heat Exchanger is supported and has clearance.




I was supplied MS6 nipples instead of MS3 nipple, which is great cause the MS3 nipples would have been 90 degree instead of straight. The 90 degreee nipples make the routing very sharp for the hoses and in the install guide pictures from TT, they are looking kinked/folded which is not good.






Drilled and tapped for Meth in the Stainless BVP flanged tube.



Here is the Ebay (top) and TT (bottom) elbow tubes 2.5" to 2.75". Ebay one is shorter and thinner, so I will use the TT one. This peice was missing with every Group Buyers kit. Got it a week later after the first install attempt. GRRRRRRRRR. TT sends a blue 90 degree elbow, but black tube on the upper part, when I ordered blue for all. GRRRRRRRR.


Now you take off everything under the hood. You can cut channels for everything that hit the L/A IC setup lol. Only recommend if you have another under hood set first.


With the Blue Lower Elbow tube being short about 1.5" inches, I had to trim that from the upper black tube.






Now another problem: One of the BPV bolts are to long and is hitting the SS pipe. Placement of the BPV flange was not turned enough to clear the pipe. Also the two threaded holes were to close together. GRRRRRRRRRRRR.
So I trimmed one of the BPV bolts, added washers and oblinged the bottom hole of the BPV hole to compensate. GRRRRRRRRRR.





I guess bending the tab for the pump placement is not so good, fucker broke off. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
The worm gear on the pump mount stripped and broke off. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
Another worm Gear stripped and broke off on the inlet of the Heat Exchanger. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.


Ok made a 90'ish degree bracket from aluminum with a hole and a notch in it for the pump.





D02 in the SS tube, going to the a "T", one line to Meth Pump and the other to IM freeze plug with another D02 lol. Dual port Meth Injection MUHAhahahahahaha.




Routed the liquid hoses and also covered them with 1" split heater hose to prevent rub cuts on the 3/4" heater hose. Safety first lol.






Got the upper parts done, lower painted for stealth.




Start the wiring now. Plug end of harness to pump and ziptie along to the fuse box.

Tap for signal here

Ground here

Mount Relay here

Now since I have the MS6 kit, I didn't get the nut for the power attachment nor the fisheye end for the wire. I had a fisheye end but no nut small enough. So I had to NATOR it. Cut a peice of metal strip, drill two holes, cut some plastic out the way. Used the exsiting nut and the pressure to hold down itself and the metal strip across to the other side until I can source a nut. Also gotta cut notches for the wires going out of the fuse box.

Update: Got a nut for the power tap. 5MMx0.80 Luck Nut


Now fill the system. I used 50% water and 50% Water Wetter. Turn key to position 2 for like 5 seconds, check level of fuild, back forth you do this until fluid is not need no more. You can open top bolt #2 to help with bubble removal, but be careful it will shoot out lol.
Do this like 20 times'ish. Also check the fluid level every day for a week or until all bubbles are gone.

Finished ENJOY!

No Flash

Flash

No Flash

Flash



HAHAH, I forgot the part about the installing the upper boost tubes, but you already know how to install those!.


So far I am driving with Stage 1+SF 103j and already boost cut at around 4k rpms (way earlier then before with meth). Going to stage 2, Stage 2+, and Stages with FMIC 1+2. Until one that feels the best. Then ATR it.
After that a Base Map + ATR to see which way works best.

Test drives so far are: (without Meth) (versus stock IC)
More boost 2-3 PSI, more power
Faster Throttle response
Sharper Forge BPV sound and more of it lol
IAT are alittle lower
BAT are alittle lower and steady (consistent)
Cruise BAT are about the same (with heat soak)
Engine Cooolant Temp are about the same

I will get some more logs with meth Tomorrow. Oh, and some vidz later this week or weekend.
Checked fluid level on the IC today, it was about 6 ounces low. Guess it's working the bubble out lol, poured water in it. So the mix will be more water than Water Wetter, after more fluid level checks it will. (60% Water and 45% Water Wetter).

*** FYI: All my logs with Defrost/A/C on, I'm in Florida so A/C is always on.***

Day 1:

Topped off with 6 ounces of water. MAP 1.03j STAGE1+SF+91

No Meth AP logs.
Log #1 77 degree Ambient
Log #2 96 degree Ambient
Log #3 96 degree Ambient
Log #4 96 degree Ambient

Day 2:

Topped off with 2 more ounces of water. MAP 1.03j STAGE1+SF+91

D02x2 Meth Start spray at 6psi AP logs. (10% meth/90% water, I ran out of meth lol)
Log #1 75 degrees Ambient
Log #2 75 degrees Ambient
Log #3 75 degrees Ambient
Log #4 95 degrees Ambient
Log #5 95 degrees Ambient
Log #6 95 degrees Ambient
Log #7 99 degrees Ambient (after a good 40 mintues of heat soak with the car off from a 30 mile highway drive)

At one point on one of the 95 degree ambient logs, I got it down to 66.8 degrees BAT lol.

Day 3:

Topped off with 1 more ounce of water. MAP 1.03j STAGE1+SF+91

No Meth AP Logs:
Log #1 77 degrees Ambient
Log #2 77 degrees Ambient

D02x2 Meth Start spray at 6psi AP logs. (10% meth/90% water)
Log #1 100 degrees Ambient
Log #2 100 degrees Ambient
Log #3 100 degrees Ambient
Log #4 100 degrees Ambient

Day 4:

Topped off with .5 more ounce of water. MAP 1.04 Stage2+SF+TMIC+93

D02x2 Meth Start spray at 6psi AP logs. (10% meth/90% water)
Log #1 76 degrees Ambient
Log #2 76 degrees Ambient
Log #3 76 degrees Ambient
Log #4 94 degrees Ambient
Log #5 96 degrees Ambient
Log #6 96 degrees Ambient

Day 5:

No topping off. *FYI: check the fluids when it's cooled down*. Expansion causes overflow lol. MAP 1.04 Stage2+SF+TMIC+93

No Meth AP Logs:
Log #1 96 degrees Ambient

D02x2 Meth Start spray at 6psi AP logs. (10% meth/90% water)
Log #1 75 degrees Ambient
Log #2 76 degrees Ambient


Video in WMV format about 40'ish megs: (Watch my Lungs In Action!)
TT L/A IC Video

[glocK23]

This is a badass thread, thank you for the pictures!

[aaronc7]

bio is the man! tuning in for more...

[late8]

Very nice install and write up. Thanks!

[triplejumper18]

Man, you had quite the ordeal, but it looks killer now!

[Mcfly]

This "2 hour install" as TT put it took me about 5 hours on the MS6.
You sir definitely had your fair share of battles with disparity! Glad
to see everything finally worked out. Nice write up btw!

[Mike Bove]

Dyno coming anytime soon? Is this going to be better, or on par with the ETS?

Install looks like a pain in the ass!!

[tmtbiker]

Originally Posted by Mcfly This "2 hour install" as TT put it took me about 5 hours on the MS6. You sir definitely had your fair share of battles with disparity! Glad to see everything finally worked out. Nice write up btw!

welcome to the msf party! i was wondering how yours turned out. did you do the OCC too?

[bioevolve]

Originally Posted by Mike Bove Dyno coming anytime soon? Is this going to be better, or on par with the ETS? Install looks like a pain in the ass!!

I can't nor have the time this month, but probably next month with a better tune.
To early to tell if it's better than ETS TMIC, still getting all the bubbles out of the system.
Still have other add-ons to test out later.

[kilik2]

Awesome job with the install. A lot of people would have given up with all of the parts you had to fix, replace, and make yourself. Can't wait till you start spraying the meth in there.

[wakeboarddude]

Awesome dude! great job! Hope its all worth the wait and pain lol..but im sure it will be!

[Mcfly]

Originally Posted by tmtbiker welcome to the msf party! i was wondering how yours turned out. did you do the OCC too?

I've posted pictures on the "Other" Forum. OCC has been put off, Auto Zone ran out
of 5/8 fuel hose....lol TT Front MM this Sunday!




Bio! Let me know what you use as a fan control system...Speed...Temp...Air flow.
I'm looking around at different things, but 1st timer with this! Thanx!!

[miguelbates]

bio omg...dude...wow... amazing work / pics looks great. epic pain in the ass it seemed hehe glad you got it worked out

[tmtbiker]

Originally Posted by Mcfly I've posted pictures on the "Other" Forum. OCC has been put off, Auto Zone ran out of 5/8 fuel hose....lol TT Front MM this Sunday!

you should have called me, i have some nice stuff and just could have ordered more. oh well. i'll be by one of these days, gotta do my occ too.

[802MS3]

damn dude, you got some skills. your car should be the model for NATOR Performance.

[MS3 Ventura]

Bio - You do the best write ups, and help those of us that will follow. Thanks

Any idea how difficult it will be to change plugs?

[bioevolve]

Originally Posted by MS3 Ventura Bio - You do the best write ups, and help those of us that will follow. Thanks Any idea how difficult it will be to change plugs?

Should be only removing 3 nuts from the base shield, two clamps from the boost tube ends and moving the whole thing forward toward the front of the car just enough to gain access to the plugs. About the same as having a TMIC lol.

[Smoker6]

Nicely done bio. Hopefully my install is less of a pain in the ass, but I somehow doubt it...especially since I'll be redoing my turbo install, my meth install, and other random crap.

[Arrowpoint]

Nice work, Bio! When you have time, could you shoot a vid of your engine compartment doing some free revs so we can see and hear it in action please? Great write up as usual!

[Blackspeed]

Was Tony the Tiger helping with the install? There were alot of "GRRRRRRRR's".

I'm glad I didnt order that thing. I cant have my DD down to do fab work on an install. Great job though...can't wait to see it.

[JohnnyT]

Man, all that hell and it really doesn't seem worth it. This sure wasn't a 'kit.'

I'm happy to see it's in everyone's hands, but I sure as hell hope TT learned their lesson.

Don't fuck around with the SPEED guys - we will burn you.

[Arrowpoint]

^
^
^
JohnnyT's avatar..... BOING..BOING..BOING..BOING..BOING........

[bioevolve]

Day 2:

Topped off with 2 more ounces of water.

D02x2 Meth Start spray at 6psi AP logs. (10% meth/90% water, I ran out of meth lol)
Log #1 75 degrees Ambient
Log #2 75 degrees Ambient
Log #3 75 degrees Ambient
Log #4 95 degrees Ambient
Log #5 95 degrees Ambient
Log #6 95 degrees Ambient
Log #7 99 degrees Ambient (after a good 40 mintues of heat soak with the car off from a 30 mile highway drive)

At one point on one of the 95 degree ambient logs, I got it down to 66.8 degrees BAT lol.

[bioevolve]

Update: Got a nut for the power tap. 5MMx0.80 Luck Nut

[kilik2]

You are the man, bio. I loaded your logs into excel and it is a bitch to read the graphs, maybe because I am too lazy to adjust the axis. But it looks like it is working pretty good.

[yang_jackson]

damn. way to make lemonade out of lemons..... or poop juice out of poop. this 'kit' is full of fail. good job in making it work!

[MS3 Ventura]

Bio,

Can you clarify what you meant by "...Also they have you installing this peice the other way, making the Heat Exchange be blocked about 50%. I put it this way so the crash bar is only blocking about 25% of the Heat Exchanger..." ?

I couldn't tell what piece you were talking about and what the "other way" meant.

Overall, what's your impression of this mod now that it's done? I don't mean what a pain it was to do, but is the performance gain worth it?

Thanks again.

[bioevolve]

Originally Posted by MS3 Ventura Bio, Can you clarify what you meant by "...Also they have you installing this peice the other way, making the Heat Exchange be blocked about 50%. I put it this way so the crash bar is only blocking about 25% of the Heat Exchanger..." ? I couldn't tell what piece you were talking about and what the "other way" meant. Overall, what's your impression of this mod now that it's done? I don't mean what a pain it was to do, but is the performance gain worth it? Thanks again.

The upper bracket on the heat exchanger that is under the hood latch, TT has you installing it 180* flipped. The heat exchanger would be higher with the crash bar and the part of the that upper bracket blocking air flow to it.
My way it sits lower with less blockage.

Here is a MS6 with the upper bracket 180* flipped, see the placement of the heat exchanger? Crash bar blocking and part of the upper bracket block air flow.


So far it is like the ETS TMIC, performance wise feel.
Heat soak is not as bad as both ETS/Stock TMIC. With the ETS TMIC waiting in traffic (heat soaked) my BAT's would goto 200*+.
The L/A is consistent when the pump is on. But does need a fan for slower speeds/stopped.
It does get cooler with Meth than it did with both the ETS/Stock TMIC with meth.

For the price and troubles I've had, it's not worth it. I could have made a sub $500 custom kit for the amount of time I put into this F'in install. But you live and you learn.:phillyb:

[Mcfly]

Originally Posted by yang_jackson damn. way to make lemonade out of lemons..... or poop juice out of poop. this 'kit' is full of fail. good job in making it work!

Remember, Bioevolve was sent an MS6 kit for his MS3. This magnified the FAIL
tremendously. Having a MS6, and getting the MS6 kit, made a BIG difference.
It wasn't perfect, I was missing the same elbow (the whole GB was) but the only
installation problems I had were:
(1)the BPV flange needed to be drilled out with shorter bolts used

(2)I had to trim the top IM tube about an inch to make everything fit "right"

(3)and I WANTED more hose for sake of ease.

Bio DID do a helluva job making apple pie with cherries though.

I'm working out the method of fan control on my L2A right now.
Right now it's looking like a temp sensing switch on the return
hose wired to a pull fan behind the front exchanger.

[bioevolve]

Originally Posted by Arrowpoint Nice work, Bio! When you have time, could you shoot a vid of your engine compartment doing some free revs so we can see and hear it in action please? Great write up as usual!

Your video is down below!

Day 3:

Topped off with 1 more ounce of water.

No Meth AP Logs:
Log #1 77 degrees Ambient
Log #2 77 degrees Ambient

D02x2 Meth Start spray at 6psi AP logs. (10% meth/90% water)
Log #1 100 degrees Ambient
Log #2 100 degrees Ambient
Log #3 100 degrees Ambient
Log #4 100 degrees Ambient


Video in WMV format about 40'ish megs: (Watch my Lungs In Action!)
TT L/A IC Video

[Arrowpoint]

Very very nice! I love how that thing bucks when you rev and the way the tubes expand and contract, It gives the impression that somethin gooood is happening!

[bioevolve]

Installed a new map yesterday 1.04 Stage2+SF+TMIC 93, will post logs from yesterday and today later on today.

[bioevolve]

Update First post for Day 4 & 5 logs at the bottom of it.

[all4bspinnin]

bioevolve... looking at your datalogs off meth, just driving in 77 degree ambient, the car seems to carry an average of around 130ish degree's of boost air temp. Your short ram is pulling in 100+ ....my stock airbox is pulling that in and my griffin intercooler seems to run colder just driving... (120-125*)

...that AWIC has to be better... can you do a WOT log off meth and post the results for me? the setup looks clean and i bet under WOT, it rocks

[bioevolve]

Originally Posted by all4bspinnin bioevolve... looking at your datalogs off meth, just driving in 77 degree ambient, the car seems to carry an average of around 130ish degree's of boost air temp. Your short ram is pulling in 100+ ....my stock airbox is pulling that in and my griffin intercooler seems to run colder just driving... (120-125*) ...that AWIC has to be better... can you do a WOT log off meth and post the results for me? the setup looks clean and i bet under WOT, it rocks

Yeah, I was behind a semi kinda stuck there with a little bit of traffic on the highway. It gets hot when there is little to no air flow lol. Before heat soak it works great, but after heat soak it sux lol.
I think this kit needs a fan on a secondary heat exchanger. Next month is when I do this with possibly an ice box of sorts after the move.

[RallySportDirect]

That is really cool Bio, nice write-up. Any concern on blowing out those silicon hoses or do you think they will hold up?

[bioevolve]

Originally Posted by RallySportDirect That is really cool Bio, nice write-up. Any concern on blowing out those silicon hoses or do you think they will hold up?

Not really, if they blow out TT will hear from me lol.
But I think they will hold for awhile (knock on wood or silicone lol).

[bioevolve]

Anyone else think this is not worth $850? Especially when it's no better than or worst than a stock TMIC after heat soak?
I have to use meth to keep temps down.
I feel like I've been ripped, anyone else?

Anyways, have to add to this kit to make it work better, there is no question about it. I already have the parts for that.

[Speedie6]

The OP has to be a record for number of pics in a single post!

I'm definitely feeling like "glad I pulled out of that GB".

[kilik2]

So should I just spray meth into my stock tmic because that seems to be the only proven method at the time.