Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

All the rule book says, is that the intercooler tanks have to remain in the engine compartment.

Looking at the 2015 Ecoboost Mustang for I/J/K Auto. The stock air-to-air intercooler mounted in front of the radiator is woefully lacking, and a larger air-to-air aftermarket intercooler mounted in front of the radiator would really improve things. It would be a straight bolt-in arrangement, with no cutting.

Thanks in advance...

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

In Stock Eliminator? My guess is no.

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

All the 2021 rule book says for both Stock and Super Stock classes is that it needs to be located in the engine compartment.

INTERCOOLER
"Intercooler tanks must be located in the engine compartment."

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

They are talking about the tanks not the cooler it’s self.

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

There are no OEM intercooler tanks. Just an intercooler.

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

COPO, Drag Pak, and Cobra Jet.

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

Correct, they fall under their own class in Factory Stock.

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

The way I understood the rule book was that the intercooler tanks only applied to the FS cars.

I'd love to run an intercooler on my 2.3T.
Those 273 degree intake air temps are killer....lol

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

It's in the regular stock rules.

I'm not seeing anything that says you can add an intercooler to a vehicle that didn't come with one, but I'm not seeing anything that says I can't replace a stock front-mounted intercooler with an upgraded one that fits in the same spot and uses the stock intake piping.

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

Allowing a switch to larger and more efficient air to air intercoolers may open up a can of worms. Why not allow a switch to an air to water intercooler (which would use a tank with ice water).

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

read the section "how to use this rulebook"

On the other hand, as to performance equipment, it is the general rule that unless optional performance equipment or performance-related modification is specifically permitted by this Rulebook, it is prohibited. All model, engine, or equipment changes or modifications not specifically addressed in this Rulebook must be submitted in writing to NHRA for consideration prior to competition. Approval will be granted or denied in NHRA’s sole and absolute discretion. The applicant will be notified of approval or rejection in writing from NHRA headquarters in Glendora, Cali

but in short it say"just because it doesn't say you can't and doesn't mean you can"

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

Been that way since Jack Hart and Farmer’s day’s!

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

Thanks, Dartman...

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

There are no FS cars with air to air intercoolers like he is asking. They all use water to air and the inter cooler inside the supercharger.


Air to air is a totally different setup...

Re: Are aftermarket intercoolers legal for stock?
 

I wondered about this before as it applies to older turbocharged cars like the Buick GN, Mustang SVO and turbo Thunderbirds. On those cars, how many tech officials know what the stock intercooler looks like? Stock intercooler cores could be changed to a more efficient bar and plate design from the old tube and fin and hose openings enlarged to gain a huge improvement in flow. Legal? Of course not. But virtually unnoticeable unless you know what they look like.