S3 Magazine // Issue 34

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
TECH
VORTECH CHARGE COOLER
If you’ve got a new Ecoboost Mustang, this should honestly be one of the
first mods you look into. Reason being: once your turbo car gets heat soaked
(which could be as little as one hard pull in the summer), it’s no longer efficiently
making power… and it’s more-or-less ‘game over’ until it’s had a
good chance to cool. It’s a very noticeable defeat.
But this charge-cooler upgrade kit from Vortech will virtually eliminate heat
soak issues. And it will keep intake temperatures at a safe, stable, & performance-operational
level. Also - this Vortech kit upgrades your rubber pipes
to HARD pipes, giving you a more immediate & punchy boost response…
with less boost response lost to rubber pipe expansion. In other words - the
boost pushes through the pipes, rather that out against flexible rubber walls.
The Vortech kit will also set the stage to support future levels of modification…
and allow you to get the most out of your mods going forward.
This is your Step-1. And it’s an easy install… designed to do at home. What
we’ve outlined here is the general process for installation. And unlike a lot
of hacked aftermarket companies out there, Vortech kits come with VERY
clear & descriptive printed instructions… designed to walk you though your
specific install without confusion & frustration.
STEP 1: FRONT BUMPER COVER REMOVAL
You need to remove the black plastic cover that is located above the grille & radiator. You also need to remove the front under-tray panel. Both of these pieces easily come
out with either clips/fasteners, or small screws. Then you need to remove the bumper bolts. There are a series of 6 bolts on the top of the bumper, 2 more on the top-sides
over the headlight (under the rubber seals), and 3 plastic fasteners on the front-side of each inner fender. Pull back the fender-liner to reveal a 7mm bolt holding the bumper
to the fender (one on each side). Next - pop the corners of the front bumper away from where they meet the fenders, and remove the front bumper.
STEP 2: ELECTRIC LOUVER & RADIATOR SHROUD REMOVAL
You need to remove the plastic radiator shroud and do some cutting/trimming to allow space for the larger intercooler. Don’t let that scare you. The shroud comes out with
4 easily-accessible bolts in the mid & lower section, and 2 more easily accessible plastic clips on the upper section. The Vortech instruction packet will clearly show you
exactly where to trim the OEM piece.
22 WWW.S3MAG.COM ISSUE 34 :: 2015