Is it worth it/needed?

[phil_long]

Hey guys, i been meaning to ask this.  My intercooler shroud is screwed, and not worth re-installing. how efficient is the intercooler without the shroud.  Should I spend the money to get one?  The only one i could find was this one.  Thanks for any input.
http://www.gn1performance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=ShroudStockIC

[Just a Six?]

I would take the $200 that shroud will end up costing you & add a few hundred more to get a Precision or Thunderfab etc. Either that or get a used stocker for $50 from the boards.

[phil_long]

add a few hundred more....    thats quite a bit.  maybe i can try and patch mine up or something.

[Just a Six?]

I'm sure some fiberglass & a rattle can of black will do the trick to keep it going a few more years.

[Steve Wood]

I will look in the shop and see if I can find a stock one

[phil_long]

Thanks a lot guys.  So, to varify, the shroud is indeed important.  got it. I'll look around as well and determine how bad mine really is.  I just pray that I didnt pitch the damn thing. 

[phil_long]

Yea, i must have tossed it.

[earlbrown]

Years ago mine came off somewhere on I-85. Much like when I left off the crank pulley fan, I noticed no difference.  Summertime might show a slightly higher IAT that would do something though.

[phil_long]

Ah.  cool

[phil_long]

And, i've been doing some more reading but this was the most extensive info i could find.  Just needed more clarification before I made my decision. 


http://turbobuick.com/forums/threads/advantage-disadvantage-to-shroud-on-stock-intercooler.387747/

[motorhead]

Yeah, you need a shroud. The stock intercooler fan is there to help deal with heat saturation at idle (for whatever it is worth).   Rather than dumping a tonne of cash on a fancy aftermarket unit, I'd recommend sourcing someone's modified (big neck, stretched, ported) stocker with a shroud. You'll see nice gains for a few bucks and then you can unload your stock core for a few bucks to offset the cost.

[phil_long]

Mike, thats brilliant

[SuperSix]

you may be able to build one by cutting up a small Rubbermaid trash can

[TURBOPOWERED68]

you may be able to build one by cutting up a small Rubbermaid trash can

some how i knew this was going to end up in the hardware store     

[phil_long]

Lol.  Somehow I did as well, but the hardware store is my buddy during times like this.  Im just trying to go the most inexpensive route, and buying another intercooler wouldn't fit my budget, although the idea was nice. I'll look around and see what i can find and make.