Is 2 1/2 inch IC pipe overkill?

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Just curious if 2 1/2 inch intercooler pipe is overkill. I ask because it seems so huge! It matches the inlet/outlet of the IC that i'm using. I'm at and probably will stay at 16psi, definitely no more than 20psi max and that's only depending on if the stock fuel pump can keep up. I got some 2 1/2 inch mandrel bends for free so it's tough to pass up. If it's too big, what are some draw backs to being too big?

 

[65ShelbyClone]

I'm sure someone will chime in saying that big intercooler pipes will increase lag, but most leave out the fact that the lag increase is a small fraction of a second.

2.5 is pretty good sized, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it on a 2.3T.

 

[Red_LX]

Nope, I have all 2 1/2" on mine...mainly because that's one of the best sizes to get adapters for.

3" would be overkill (and hard to fit).

 

[Dr_EluSivE]

I have 2 1/2" pipes on mine. They are a little hard to fit under the hood, but they work great.

Dr.

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

^^^ That's more or less how mine is going to be set up, except i'm gonna shorten the straight piece coming off the TB so the pipe isn't sitting over top of the turbo...that'll give me extra hood clearance if i can get that pipe to run parallel with the exhaust manifold. I just don't know yet if i can fit the IC in front of the radiator with the inlet/outlet on top like that...i may have to run it upside down and end up with longer pipes.

 

[Red_LX]

Mine is like this:

And I don't have any clearance problems at all.

Course, I know that anyway because it runs under the STB, which kinda has to clear.

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

You guys have a lot more room in the front than i do with this Merkur....it's really funny seeing the pics of 2.3 Mustangs because there's a foot of room in front of the engine. With the Merkurs you only have maybe 6 inches before you hit the radiator so it's really tight. Plus the way our radiators install is weird...there are tabs on the sides of the core and it screw up into the bottom of the frame and has supports at the top that attach to the core support...so there's no core cradle like on a Mustang. I need to set the radiator back a few inches to make room for the IC, and then i need to figure out how to mount it.

 

[89Stang]

2.5 IC piping is going on my cordia it will be fine for your use.

 

[Turbobob]

Well I might as well throw in a pic of mine. I use 2.25" hot side and 2.5" cold side

just click the pic

 

[mg man]

Haven't been here in awhile. But here is how mine is. 2 1/2" pipe. Image of revised mount - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Here is how front is done.
100_5992.flv - Video - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting