Danger of having an exposed intercooler - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

White35 · 10-09-2014, 01:27 PM

Hello every one I am new to the forum. I've looked many things up on here but just now made an account. Alright to my question, having an exposed intercooler is a popular style and i really like the way it looks. What i want to know is removing the grill and just having the intercooler highly increase the chances of a rock or something flying up and damaging it? I'm not sure if they are tougher than radiators and will turbo my car in the future.

White

jvincent · 10-09-2014, 01:46 PM

You answered your own question.

If the intercooler is completely exposed, it increases the chances of it getting hit. The grill provide an extra layer protection.

strat61caster · 10-09-2014, 03:01 PM

risk vs. reward

There's a difference between a show car and a race car and a car you commute to work with, hopefully not behind a truck full of gravel. You know the roads and conditions you drive in better than we do.

ZionsWrath · 10-09-2014, 03:03 PM

If you want to get revved at by ricers at stop lights, exposed intercooler is the way to go.

Decay107 · 10-09-2014, 03:10 PM

Less danger than an exposed radiator/oil cooler in my opinion!

The stock grill has big holes, doesn't offer much protection from small-medium road debris, and pops out pretty easily, on the other hand mine did manage to stop some large track debris that probably would have torn my oil cooler right off its mounting bracket without a grill.

wheelhaus · 10-09-2014, 03:14 PM

I also recommend leaving the grill (or an aftermarket mesh in place). You can also drive responsibly and not tailgate, that'll drastically reduce the chances of rocks and debris being kicked up into the front of the car.

Reaper · 10-09-2014, 04:13 PM

The stock grill won't stop rocks. So keeping it in to prevent gravel damage makes no sense. It will on the other hand slow down truck tires or dead animals if they end up on their way to the intercooler.

Turbo95eg6 · 10-09-2014, 05:52 PM

Driving behind a trailer hauling hay was always fun back when I was boosted.

Tcoat · 10-09-2014, 06:08 PM

High velocity rock/debris hit on highway. Can't tell from pic but big dent in plate!
'Nuf said?

Decay107 · 10-09-2014, 06:33 PM

^ scary. That looks like it might have been small enough to pass right through the stock grill (esp. the BRZ one)

Reaper · 10-09-2014, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcoat

High velocity rock/debris hit on highway. Can't tell from pic but big dent in plate!
'Nuf said?

How does having the grill in stop this? Oh wait it doesnt.
My intercooler is stronger than your plate anyway.

Tcoat · 10-09-2014, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decay107

^ scary. That looks like it might have been small enough to pass right through the stock grill (esp. the BRZ one)

Or smash it's way through anyway. Saw it coming and it was pretty big but had no where to go to avoid it and WHACK! Only had the car couple of weeks and was pissed. Got home walked around and there it was almost dead center of plate. Few inches left or right would have been nasty.

Tcoat · 10-09-2014, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper

How does having the grill in stop this? Oh wait it doesnt.
My intercooler is stronger than your plate anyway.

Stop it, not likely. Slow it down or deflect it maybe.
Of course your intercooler is that great I am sure you would have nothing but the best!
Not saying for a second not to have it exposed and when/if I go down that road I will have it open.
The OP asked about the risks and that IS a risk no matter how good your equipment is.

campy · 10-09-2014, 08:12 PM

You should do it like how they do outside oil coolers in japan

10-09-2014, 01:27 PM	#1
White35 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Drives: Scion Fr-s, white, Invidia exhaust Location: Alabama Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Danger of having an exposed intercooler Hello every one I am new to the forum. I've looked many things up on here but just now made an account. Alright to my question, having an exposed intercooler is a popular style and i really like the way it looks. What i want to know is removing the grill and just having the intercooler highly increase the chances of a rock or something flying up and damaging it? I'm not sure if they are tougher than radiators and will turbo my car in the future. White

10-09-2014, 03:03 PM	#4
ZionsWrath Thanks Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: BRZ Location: NY Posts: 4,163 Thanks: 5,989 Thanked 3,100 Times in 1,498 Posts Mentioned: 38 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	If you want to get revved at by ricers at stop lights, exposed intercooler is the way to go. __________________

10-09-2014, 03:10 PM	#5
Decay107 Turning is for Nerds Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: 35 characters is not enough Location: PDX Posts: 1,974 Thanks: 836 Thanked 1,259 Times in 717 Posts Mentioned: 186 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Less danger than an exposed radiator/oil cooler in my opinion! The stock grill has big holes, doesn't offer much protection from small-medium road debris, and pops out pretty easily, on the other hand mine did manage to stop some large track debris that probably would have torn my oil cooler right off its mounting bracket without a grill. __________________ My build thread / journal / evidence for warranty claim denial Motorcycle build thread

10-09-2014, 04:13 PM	#7
Reaper in orbe terrum non visi Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: violent Location: Mountains Posts: 1,747 Thanks: 279 Thanked 762 Times in 446 Posts Mentioned: 62 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	The stock grill won't stop rocks. So keeping it in to prevent gravel damage makes no sense. It will on the other hand slow down truck tires or dead animals if they end up on their way to the intercooler. __________________ I have E85 where there isn't E85, that's my secret. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...t=reaper+build

10-09-2014, 06:08 PM	#9
Tcoat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2020 Hakone Location: London, Ont Posts: 69,841 Thanks: 61,656 Thanked 108,295 Times in 46,456 Posts Mentioned: 2499 Post(s) Tagged: 50 Thread(s)	High velocity rock/debris hit on highway. Can't tell from pic but big dent in plate! 'Nuf said? Attached Images __________________ Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.

10-09-2014, 01:46 PM	#2
jvincent Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: 2022 WRB BRZ Sport-Tech Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,746 Thanks: 131 Thanked 1,411 Times in 715 Posts Mentioned: 25 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	You answered your own question. If the intercooler is completely exposed, it increases the chances of it getting hit. The grill provide an extra layer protection.

10-09-2014, 03:01 PM	#3
strat61caster - Join Date: Nov 2012 Drives: '13 FRS - STX Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 10,383 Thanks: 13,790 Thanked 9,502 Times in 5,013 Posts Mentioned: 94 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	risk vs. reward There's a difference between a show car and a race car and a car you commute to work with, hopefully not behind a truck full of gravel. You know the roads and conditions you drive in better than we do.

10-09-2014, 03:14 PM	#6
wheelhaus Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 2013 BRZ, 2020 KTM Super Duke 1290R Location: Denver Posts: 1,788 Thanks: 714 Thanked 1,141 Times in 624 Posts Mentioned: 49 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I also recommend leaving the grill (or an aftermarket mesh in place). You can also drive responsibly and not tailgate, that'll drastically reduce the chances of rocks and debris being kicked up into the front of the car.

10-09-2014, 05:52 PM	#8
Turbo95eg6 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Drives: 2014 BRZ SWP LTD Location: The 503 Posts: 2,174 Thanks: 331 Thanked 2,266 Times in 858 Posts Mentioned: 18 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Driving behind a trailer hauling hay was always fun back when I was boosted.

10-09-2014, 06:33 PM	#10
Decay107 Turning is for Nerds Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: 35 characters is not enough Location: PDX Posts: 1,974 Thanks: 836 Thanked 1,259 Times in 717 Posts Mentioned: 186 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	^ scary. That looks like it might have been small enough to pass right through the stock grill (esp. the BRZ one) __________________ My build thread / journal / evidence for warranty claim denial Motorcycle build thread

10-09-2014, 08:12 PM	#14
campy No rice, no life Join Date: Dec 2012 Drives: 2013 Asphalt FR-S Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 1,143 Thanks: 266 Thanked 1,019 Times in 388 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You should do it like how they do outside oil coolers in japan

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