[SebsM2]

Originally Posted by MASHCT

The one that stripped? I used vice grips until it was loose enough to use my fingers.

It got about halfway into the mounting hole before it got stuck, which was to me a sign that said - don't try harder. LOL Plus that was when the head started to strip. The metal is super soft. But I got it in there enough I could not use a screwdriver to get it out.

I don't think many people will have the issues I did since most of them had to do with the prior install of the Wagner FMIC. But the bolts that come with the CSF, I really don't think it's a good idea to force them.

I'm talking about the Wagner mounting screws. I think that's what you are talking about too. I mistakenly pushed the rod with a crooked nut. Now the nut wont fit once the intercooler is in place. I'll try some vice grips, thanks!

[MASHCT]

Originally Posted by Sundinisagod

Thanks!! Appreciate this a lot since I’ve been leaning to the CSF myself but haven’t pulled the trigger yet due to ease of installation questions.

Howdy, Sundinisagod.

Wondering what route you took on your FMIC? Did you install it yourself? If you're still on the fence about installing, let me know if you have any questions.

Keep in mind, 99% of my issues were related to the poor install of the Wagner & the FTP pipes. Honestly, if I didn't have those issues, this would have been easy as pie.

[Sundinisagod]

Originally Posted by MASHCT

Howdy, Sundinisagod.

Wondering what route you took on your FMIC? Did you install it yourself? If you're still on the fence about installing, let me know if you have any questions.

Keep in mind, 99% of my issues were related to the poor install of the Wagner & the FTP pipes. Honestly, if I didn't have those issues, this would have been easy as pie.

I have not yet made a decision. I am currently leaning towards the new CTS race intercooler. I plan to do the install myself so the easiest fitment is a priority.

I do appreciate your offer to help, and there is still the possibility I will take you up on that.

[VisualEcho]

Originally Posted by MASHCT

If you're curious - the Wagner EVO II weighs 24.2 lbs; the CSF is 25.2 lbs.

My CSF weighed 24.9 lbs on my professional shipping scale, which is a whopping 17.6 lbs more than stock. So heavy! But I guess they're all that way.

Originally Posted by MASHCT

CSF will send you some 2" phillips-head screws & washers. They look substantial - trust me, they're 100% total shyte!! They are too fat & once they grab, they get stuck & the phillips-head SHREDS & STRIPS. NO BUENO!

CSF sent me nothing, which is pretty lame considering that the stock bolts won't work with the intercooler. I fabbed some rectangle washers from some aluminum I had lying around, but wasn't happy about it. Very good holding power though.

Originally Posted by MASHCT

The CSF mates perfectly to the FTP charge and boost pipes. No leaks - perfect fit. BUT - you have to do some work to align everything for a correct, solid install.

I got the MAD CP, and it's just a hair too long, as with everything hooked up and tight as a drum I still needed another ¼" to get the driver's side intercooler T25 screw in. I made it work, but not exactly happy about that either you can see in the "DR" pic below how it's not perfectly centered.

All in all it seems to have worked, but what a PITA. Maybe I'm just getting old.

[vrooooom]

That aluminum washer you made looks awesome. The screws you used looks kinda undersize. Is that from the stock's? Hard to tell of course from photos but I just recall it looks like that. I'd be worried knowing how much heavier it is and it's actually not screwed fully in w/ CSF coz of its thicker tabs.

The black plastic pc where the IC screws on to looks crooked. Might just be camera angle or the tapering of the IC. The original IC slides into that. Got guiding rails. The CSF kinda does the same but doesn't have the vertical rails.

The Mad CP doesn’t have a silicone connector midpoint? This would allow adjustments. And you may have to tweak its position from the engine side too.

Older? Don’t we all.

[MASHCT]

Damn nice install VE. Making the washers is a great idea. Sounds like you managed to get everything installed even with the CP being just a touch too long.

And I agree with the getting too old thing... I am alllllmost ready to start paying people to do this shit for me. LOL

[ddnmkun]

OP, Curious to know if these screw and washers I found from hd will work. Thanks

[vrooooom]

The washers may need to be bigger. It’s cheap enough you can get another bag or two that’s bigger. Next 2 sizes.

Did you get another shipment of CSF without a set of mounting hardwares?

The reason the washers are too small is bec when the screw shifts to one side the opening of the CSF, the washer would fall off one of the tabs. Distance between the 2 tabs is probably 12mm or more. What I did on mine was add a nut I had lying around that happened to fit between the tabs. I drilled the threads out so not to mess with the threads of the screws. In short in became a bushing to make the opening on the tab smaller. So the CSF didn’t shift front & back. The washers didn’t need to be big anymore. Even a few millimeters of interference was enough to secure.

I didn’t have an aluminum flat sheet then to make a rectangle washer like shown above. But had nuts of varying sizes.

[MASHCT]

Originally Posted by ddnmkun

OP, Curious to know if these screw and washers I found from hd will work. Thanks

You got the right sized screw - you need to add a washer that is a little bigger than the one you have. Keep those - as you increase diameter, the screw hole gets bigger & the screw head may slip through. I found it tough to find a big-headed screw that kept the 1 1/4" #12 size. And then I found it hard to find a washer that was the right diameter that didn't have a too-big screw hole.

So doubling up became the surest bet.

I did read that a few folks used the stock screw but I think the CSF flange is too thick & not enough of the OEM screw bites to hold the intercooler. They are heavy (25 lbs) and I didn't want to risk anything coming loose. CT roads are the suckiest bunch of suckity sucks that ever sucked.

CSF could fix all of this by either providing proper screws & washers, or fix their mounting flange.

[ddnmkun]

Thank you very much!
They do have a big variety of washer choice, will give them some try.

[vrooooom]

CSF doesn’t seem to have a listening ears for all our complaints (suggestions) coz this is pretty much a 4-yr old issue. I remember reading a posting from the start of their release and this was already mentioned. Fast forward to today…. Nada. One guy even received no hardwares period. Myb that was their solution. ��

[Wolfman’s Brother]

Originally Posted by vrooooom

CSF doesn’t seem have a listening ears for all our complaints coz this is pretty much a 4-yr old issue. I remember reading a posting from the start of their release and this was already mentioned. Fast forward to today…. Nada. One guy even received no hardwares period. Myb that was their solution. 🙄

My unit showed up with a 3 inch scratch in the top. Totally superficial, but, wack. That $500,000 911 project don’t pay for itself though

Sucks there isn’t a premium parts supplier like Full-Race or AMS Performance for this platform.

[ZL9M2]

Just received my CSF and the mounting tabs are a joke. A proper bracket on each side with a hole at the correct dimension would be the appropriate way to design the item. I had to stare at it for a while just to take in the stupidity of the design. I actually came here to review install notes as I thought maybe I was sent the wrong intercooler.

[vrooooom]

You're asking for too much. We're just asking for the correct (and quality) washers and mounting screws. Ridiculous eh?

[MASHCT]

I do find it pretty ridiculous that CSF mfrs such a shit mounting option when (as far as I am aware) no one else is. This is definitely a recurring complaint with CSF and if they can mfr this shit mount, they can mfr a better one. And supply decent bolts.

That said, the purpose of the thread was to give other self modders a heads up that this is a problem and how to get around it. Hopefully this thread helped you some??

[ShortSides]

what you think the install price should be for this part? I have the CSF in my closet and I'm being quoted almost 800 which is ridiculous imo

[MASHCT]

Originally Posted by ShortSides

what you think the install price should be for this part? I have the CSF in my closet and I'm being quoted almost 800 which is ridiculous imo

I definitely think that is ridiculous. Had I known going in what it would have taken to install that intercooler - and I am not a skilled auto mechanic - and I bet if I didn't have to realign the FTP inlet/outlet pipes, it would have only taken a half-hour tops.

Seriously though, this is a pretty easy DIY. You can do it, I think. I used youtube videos - watched a couple of them. What messed me up was the prior FMIC install & misaligned pipes.

[ShortSides]

I'm not a hands guy. I'm a pay to have it done kind of guy. Just being real with it.

killer info though

[vrooooom]

Originally Posted by ShortSides

what you think the install price should be for this part? I have the CSF in my closet and I'm being quoted almost 800 which is ridiculous imo

Ridiculous! It's not THAT hard.

[ZL9M2]

$800 to install?? That must include the price of the intercooler? Seriously, its maybe an hour max to install. Watch the videos and give it a shot.

[MASHCT]

Originally Posted by ShortSides

I'm not a hands guy. I'm a pay to have it done kind of guy. Just being real with it.

killer info though

If I was local I'd install it for you. You may be able to find a local DIY'er who's willing to install for some.beers and wings. Usually we DIY'ers enjoy doing the easy mods, which is why it never ends and we do stuff like stick carbon fiber on everything and replace gauge faces. You know, because n stuff. LOL

Maybe post a msg in your regional forum. Worth a shot.

[TheHunterHofman]

Originally Posted by ZL9M2

Just received my CSF and the mounting tabs are a joke. A proper bracket on each side with a hole at the correct dimension would be the appropriate way to design the item. I had to stare at it for a while just to take in the stupidity of the design. I actually came here to review install notes as I thought maybe I was sent the wrong intercooler.

I can still get mad at how stupid the mounting brackets and supplied washers and screws are lol.

Fwiw, I have made a video about the install of this very intercooler, maybe it can help you out: