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1-21-2012 - You didn't really think I'd given up on boost did you?

Got tired of only having one working car... decided to go out and lease a sensible family vehicle a few months ago since Renee is preggo. I didn't bother to post on here about it because it's just an Acura RDX.

Well the day has come that the RDX will no longer be just a typical run of the mill family hatch. Picked up some goodies for it and decided to install the first one today.

Today it's all about the replacement Top Mount Intercooler made by Extreme Turbo Systems: http://www.extremeturbosystems.com/RDX-Intercooler-Top-Mount.html

Since this is a brand new product and no one other than them has installed one of these on an RDX, I decided to go kinda crazy with the pix and do a DIY style post. Click through the photos for the install tips.

This is just a shot of the engine before I started work. Love the emblem.
The new hotness
The new hotness
Remove the IC cover, use a large flat head screw driver and rotate each of the 4 plastic screws 90 degrees counter clockwise.
Remove the brackets that hold the IC cover on by removing 4x 10mm bolts
Unclip the MAP sensor plug
Unclipped map sensor
Unbolt the 8mm bolt for the map sensor and gently wiggle the sensor loose to remove it
Completely loosen both of the clamps that hold the charge coupler onto the throttle body.
Remove the 2x 10mm bolts that hold on the flange for the BPV
2nd bolt location for BPV flange
Completely loosen the top clamp for the charge coupler that connects to the turbo
Remove the 10mm bolt that holds the IC to the Turbo inlet piping
Remove the two rear 10mm bolts that hold the IC down
Other 10mm bolt location for IC mounting
Remove front 10mm IC mounting bolt
Remove the IC by pulling up on the back, it'll pop out, then just pull on the front coupler to remove it.
OMG there's an engine under there? lol
Wish I could see more of the turbo, it's so tiny.
Remove this coupler and install it on the new IC. Don't bother tightening the clamps yet.
While I was in here, I measured the inlet on the TB. 63mm is small, might have to do something about that later.
The two next to each other for comparison
To transfer the mounting hardware to the new IC, remove the sleeve from the bushing
Then squish the bushing out to remove it
Work the bushing into the hole on the new IC in a circular motion, it takes some persistence.
Then push the sleeve back into the bushing, make sure the flat washer edge faces down
How it should look installed, looking at the bottom of the IC. Repeat this for the other 2x
Install the map sensor with the 8mm bolt. I had to use a longer 8mm bolt due to the stock one stripping out.
Remove the couplers and install them on the IC.
Install the IC by putting the front coupler on first, then work the rear one on. Be patient, it is a bit of a PITA.
ETS doesn't include a gasket for the BPV flange and the OEM one won't work, I applied Ultra Grey for safety.
BPV flange bolted back down
MAP sensor plugged back in
Rear mounting bolts re-installed - don't be afraid to bend the OEM brackets a bit to make these line up.
Turbo inlet feed bolt and rear mounting bolt installed
Front bolt installed and both couplers tightened down. Don't forget to tighten the clamps on the couplers!
Looking good!
Install the 4x 10mm bolts to hold down the IC cover brackets. I had to add some washers to the front 2 bolts.
Reinstall the cover and you're all done! I would let the Ultra Grey cure for a couple hours before driving.
Submitted by Jay on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 1:46am
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