Thread: Full Size Intercooler Install

I am thinking that I am going to purchase a full size intercooler for my top swapped l36. I was wondering if anyone has done this and kept the factory l36 nylon fuel lines. Also I am very open to any advice or insight on this install. I am looking at getting the full size intercooler along with the rule pump. I am gonna get the modded fuel rails. I think I may need to get a fuel line repair kit and modify the nylon lines to work. I decided to go with the full size over the short stack because I was told that it was the way to go. Also I did the top swap MAYBE 2k miles ago, and I am wondering if I can reuse the lower intake gaskets. I have a garlock supercharger gasket now and I think I should be able to reuse that. I am also wondering on the plumbing for the intercooler. Where should everything be placed? I have a FWI, so I think I would rather mount the pump and route the plumbing through the pass. side if possible. Again any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I don't think they make injector spacer's for the fullsize intercooler. Just the shortstack.


You can reuse you're stock lines no problem. Use a little RTV on the blower and intercooler gasket's.


I have an install how to on how to install the front mount radiator in the how to section.

Originally Posted by JoshMcMadMac

I have spacers on my 2" intercooler.

Do you? I did not realize they made them for the fullsize. I thought that was the reason why everyone was getting fuel rails for the fullsize. Or maybe I got them because they were almost as much as the spacer's.


Did they just come out with those recently or not?



O well, Guess you do have spacer's as an option.

Intense used to sell spacers for the full size intercoolers. I stress used to because when I was pricing everything up like a week ago they had them posted on their website. I called to order them and they said they just sold out of them and will not be getting any more in.
Are the Garlocks that bad? I thought they were better than OE.

The garlocks feel similar to wax paper. There great for reusable gasket's. But they suck for sealing.


Oem's are way better.

So would I better off with oem ones or garlocks and rtv?

Oem. It would not hurt to put a little RTV on the stock ones either. I use the grey high temp RTV and it works fine and is not noticable.


Some people can't get there's to sel for some reason i'm not sure of.

Do you guys think I will be ok reusing the lim gaskets? I'd like to keep the cost down as much as possible. Without cutting corners of course. I was originally gonna get a short stack which is a lot less.

Typically you can reuse them a cupple times. Just make sure there in good shape.

I was told that I need to run one of zzps lim to retain the stock pcv functionality. I would rather not take it off if I dont need to.

Just use a breather. Matter of fact I have my left over one that I won't need anymore. 20 shipped if you're intrested.


PM me if intrested.

Yeah, I am currently running a vent tube on the oil filler neck to the n*. There is a port that does not see vacuum. It is in before the throttle blade and after the lq4 MAF. I was told that I would not be able to modify the lim myself. I dont really want to run a breather ^^^^for that^^^^ reason.

Yeah that would be cool. If I didnt need to worry about it then I can save myself 100 bucks. Plus the core charge. I know that it has been brought up before, but are there any real gains from zzp's modded lim? Is it really worth the $$$?

Alright so I am probably gonna order up a stage 2 intercooler, modded fuel rails, stage 2 fmhe, and I am debating on the pump. I was thinking to get either a rule or a bosch. I see they are pretty cheap on ebay. I was wondering if anyone has any tips or reccomendations for me.
Thanks.