Video: 2015 Mustang EcoBoost Intercooler

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Video: 2015 Mustang EcoBoost Intercooler

Cool Deal

Mishimoto’s intercooler offers lower discharge temps in a bolt-in package

By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of Mishimoto

Ford’s EcoBoost engines are pretty impressive. They really do deliver on making a small engine seem bigger. And, if you can stay out of the boost, the will knock down some impressive fuel economy numbers too. That’s all well and good, but what we want from our EcoBoost Mustang is increased performance. As we have found, one of the roadblocks to unlocking that potential is the factory intercooler.

While it shares the same 5.75-inch height as the stock unit, the Mishimoto unit is considerably larger. It is only half an inch longer, but it is 2.15 inches thicker and offers an increase of 266 cubic inches of volume. It also features a more efficient bar and plate design versus the tube and fin design utilized by the factory intercooler.
While it shares the same 5.75-inch height as the stock unit, the Mishimoto unit is considerably larger. It is only half an inch longer, but it is 2.15 inches thicker and offers an increase of 266 cubic inches of volume. It also features a more efficient bar and plate design versus the tube and fin design utilized by the factory intercooler.

Fortunately, there are numerous aftermarket replacements that will improve on the factory cooler to lower temperature of the air entering the engine. As we know, cooler air makes more power, as the charge is denser and it allows for increased ignition timing. One of the latest options is from Mishimoto (PN MMINT-MUS4-15; $650).

“…The engineers at Mishimoto designed the EcoBoost Mustang intercooler to fit with the stock active grille shutters, as well as prevent airflow blockage to the radiator and A/C condenser by mounting it in the stock location,” says the company. “The cooler is constructed with cast end tanks that are CFD-tested for maximum airflow. This EcoBoost intercooler also includes an in-tank air diverter on the hot side to provide optimal flow through the core…”

Mishimoto recently released these videos highlighting the benefits of its unit and its companion piping kit…

Featuring a bar-and-plate design with cast end tanks, the Mishimoto EcoBoost Mustang intercooler has a 21.06x5.75x5.28-inch core. It is available with Silver and Stealth Black finishes. It is one of the few aftermarket units available that installs in the stock location and is compatible with the Active Grille Shutters.
Featuring a bar-and-plate design with cast end tanks, the Mishimoto EcoBoost Mustang intercooler has a 21.06×5.75×5.28-inch core. It is available with Silver and Stealth Black finishes. It is one of the few aftermarket units available that installs in the stock location and is compatible with the Active Grille Shutters.

Clearly, this unit has benefits. Not only does it drop inlet temps by 35 degrees, it offers a 25-percent increase in core volume and a 165-percent increase in external-fin surface area. This means that those inlet temperatures should be more stable, even under extended boost, as the car might see on a road course. Moreover, since this unit doesn’t obstruct the engine radiator, those temps should remain in check too.

If that piques your interest, you might want to see how the intercooler and piping installs, and Mishimoto was kind enough to produce these install videos as well…

Of course, if that’s not enough information, Mishimoto has extensive information about the testing and development of this intercooler on its site.

You can complement the Mishimoto intercooler with the company’s Ford Mustang EcoBoost Intercooler Pipe Kit (PN MMICP-MUS4-15; $349.95). It features mandrel-bent 2.5-inch hot-side and 2.75-inch cold-side aluminum pipes, which is said to improve turbo spool-up. You can buy the hot and cold side tubing separately, and all the kits are available with polished or wrinkle-black finishes.
You can complement the Mishimoto intercooler with the company’s Ford Mustang EcoBoost Intercooler Pipe Kit (PN MMICP-MUS4-15; $349.95). It features mandrel-bent 2.5-inch hot-side and 2.75-inch cold-side aluminum pipes, which is said to improve turbo spool-up. You can buy the hot and cold side tubing separately, and all the kits are available with polished or wrinkle-black finishes.
The Mishimoto pipe kit was designed as a direct replacement for the factory piping, as evidenced by this flange which accepts the factory-style BOV. Interestingly, the Mishimoto piping also includes CNC-machined area on cold-side piping to facilitate the installation of a boost gauge or water-meth injection.
The Mishimoto pipe kit was designed as a direct replacement for the factory piping, as evidenced by this flange which accepts the factory-style BOV. Interestingly, the Mishimoto piping also includes CNC-machined area on cold-side piping to facilitate the installation of a boost gauge or water-meth injection.
Just installing the intercooler provided a minor uptick in power on its own, but with the lower discharge temps it allows there should be even greater gains available with a more aggressive calibration.
Just installing the intercooler provided a minor uptick in power on its own, but with the lower discharge temps it allows there should be even greater gains available with a more aggressive calibration.
Using an AEM datalogger, Mishimoto logged the air temps entering and exiting the intercooler. As you can see the intercooler inlet temperatures are consistent, but with the Mishimoto in place, the discharge temps are 35 degrees lower.
Using an AEM datalogger, Mishimoto logged the air temps entering and exiting the intercooler. As you can see the intercooler inlet temperatures are consistent, but with the Mishimoto in place, the discharge temps are 35 degrees lower.

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