Removing Tow Hooks

[mdk77]

I am going to install a DX8 competition bumper and I have read that I need to cut tow hooks or just remove them and replace with other skid plate brackets. I also read that these plates hold the intercooler in place. So how do I remove the tow hooks and install the replacement brackets without letting the intercooler fall out? I don't own a jack to hold it in place.

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[Dusty]

If you just do one side at a time, the intercooler will stay in place while you swap the bracket.

 

[Fordified1]

I had both intercooler mounts off at the same time. It will hang by the hoses.

 

[Brian_B]

I don't own a jack to hold it in place.

Even if it does shift around a bit while you do this, it weighs all of about 15 lbs filled, so it isn't a big deal. It won't fall out though.

 

[mdk77]

Thank you all! I am a novice at this stuff so appreciate the info

 

[dgorsett]

Thank you all! I am a novice at this stuff so appreciate the info

I tied mine up with a piece of twine.

 

[604Bronco]

Could you just use the jack that came with your Bronco?

 

[userdude]

Would be a great time to upgrade your intercooler.

 

[mdk77]

Would be a great time to upgrade your intercooler.

What benefits would I get and how difficult is that process?

 

[KABQ]

What benefits would I get and how difficult is that process?

Cooler inlet air temps, so more power and it takes longer to heat soak.

 

[Brian_B]

What benefits would I get and how difficult is that process?

Everything @KABQ says is true. That said, at stock engine tuning - not a whole lot.

If you are running with a lot of boost, you can eventually get to a point where the intercooler doesn't have any more room to cool - you get "heat soaked". At that point, inlet charge air and oil temps start to creep up, and then the engine will start to experience knock. Once that happens, the engine will start to de-tune itself to try to keep from slagging down. So you lose horsepower - very similar to running lower octane gasoline.

Now, at stock tuning, this isn't such a big deal. There are certain conditions that you can get it to happen - slow speeds going uphill a lot (lots of torque needed and not a lot of airflow through the intercooler), operating in very dusty or muddy environments (clogs up the fins on the intercooler), etc. So it can happen under stock, but it isn't common, there's a lot of headroom on the stock engine tuning.

If you are running aggressive third party tuning - there they crank everything to the limit, and it's much much easier to hit a heat soaked condition, and when you do the power loss is much more noticable.

And... saying all of that: it's not exactly that hard to drop the bumper and pop the retainers if you decide to do the intercooler in the future, so it isn't exactly a "Do it now or never" situation. But you are about 2/3 of the way there if you are doing a new bumper.

 

[KABQ]

Everything @KABQ says is true. That said, at stock engine tuning - not a whole lot.

If you are running with a lot of boost, you can eventually get to a point where the intercooler doesn't have any more room to cool - you get "heat soaked". At that point, inlet charge air and oil temps start to creep up, and then the engine will start to experience knock. Once that happens, the engine will start to de-tune itself to try to keep from slagging down. So you lose horsepower - very similar to running lower octane gasoline.

Now, at stock tuning, this isn't such a big deal. There are certain conditions that you can get it to happen - slow speeds going uphill a lot (lots of torque needed and not a lot of airflow through the intercooler), operating in very dusty or muddy environments (clogs up the fins on the intercooler), etc. So it can happen under stock, but it isn't common, there's a lot of headroom on the stock engine tuning.

If you are running aggressive third party tuning - there they crank everything to the limit, and it's much much easier to hit a heat soaked condition, and when you do the power loss is much more noticable.

All true, I definitely generalized it. Honestly I've never noticed heat soak, even on 95° days at 8,000 feet where I like to fish (less cooling capacity at altitude). I also drive in a pretty relaxed manor, at least in the Bronco, but I could see it happening in those conditions if I were driving more spiritedly. My buddy's 3.5 EB F-150 definitely loses power up there.

 

[mdk77]

Thanks both. So if I were to get a new intercooler. What should I get and are there a decent set of instructions to swap? Again I know how to use basic tools etc but not a very experienced car guy (but want to get experience)

 

[mdk77]

Everything @KABQ says is true. That said, at stock engine tuning - not a whole lot.

If you are running with a lot of boost, you can eventually get to a point where the intercooler doesn't have any more room to cool - you get "heat soaked". At that point, inlet charge air and oil temps start to creep up, and then the engine will start to experience knock. Once that happens, the engine will start to de-tune itself to try to keep from slagging down. So you lose horsepower - very similar to running lower octane gasoline.

Now, at stock tuning, this isn't such a big deal. There are certain conditions that you can get it to happen - slow speeds going uphill a lot (lots of torque needed and not a lot of airflow through the intercooler), operating in very dusty or muddy environments (clogs up the fins on the intercooler), etc. So it can happen under stock, but it isn't common, there's a lot of headroom on the stock engine tuning.

If you are running aggressive third party tuning - there they crank everything to the limit, and it's much much easier to hit a heat soaked condition, and when you do the power loss is much more noticable.

And... saying all of that: it's not exactly that hard to drop the bumper and pop the retainers if you decide to do the intercooler in the future, so it isn't exactly a "Do it now or never" situation. But you are about 2/3 of the way there if you are doing a new bumper.

Ok you guys have convinced me lol. Looks like cpe is a good one? Looks like an easy install

 

[Brian_B]

I’m on a ProCal tune and I’ve never had an issue with it either, but I don’t do a lot of desert running or really punishing runs either. I have seen oil temps cruise up over 220, but can’t say I’ve ever noticed a Power reduction due to it, and it usually doesn’t take long for the temps to get back under 200 once I get to the top of the hill. A lot of my driving is at 4,000-10,000ft.

I have a friend that has a f150 raptor running a Cobb tune and he sees it frequently and just upgraded his intercooler to a Cobb unit as well - and is in the process of redoing his tune to take advantage of it. He thinks he’ll get another handful of hp out of it, but more importantly it won’t hit heat soak as rapidly. On his 3.5 running e85 he says when it cuts it drops significantly - I’ve never been in it to know what he means first hand but I take him at his word. That’s a whole different beast than my 2.3 on its factory tune running 91 though.

I can’t say what is good or bad with respect to aftermarket coolers.

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