Mishimoto 2011+ Chevrolet/GMC 6.6L LML Duramax Performance Intercooler, Part 4: Prototype Test Fit
Interested in purchasing this Duramax Intercooler? Check out our product page for more information!
Mishimoto Chevrolet/GMC 6.6L Duramax Intercooler Kit
Prototype Test Fitting
Time to see if this massive intercooler fits! Our prototype design was based on critical dimensions taken from a test vehicle so we could expand the cooler as much as possible without causing fitment concerns. Let's see if we succeeded on our first attempt!
The radiator and intercooler are thicker than the factory units, so we bolted the intercooler prototype to the new Mishimoto radiator prototype. Now attached to each other, we installed them together for the benefit of those customers who would want to purchase both components.
Mishimoto prototype intercooler (bottom) and prototype aluminum radiator (top), assembled
Mishimoto prototype intercooler (bottom) and prototype aluminum radiator (top), assembled
Mishimoto prototype intercooler (top) and prototype aluminum radiator (bottom), assembled
We then located a second local test truck. This particular truck was a bit more modified (aesthetically) compared to the first truck we had in the shop. Check out a shot of the truck on our Dynojet!
Test vehicle on the dyno
A big thank you to both vehicle donors for lending us their trucks for testing purposes! Now that we had the second truck in the shop, our engineers began installing the radiator and intercooler prototypes.
Test truck with Mishimoto prototypes
Test truck with Mishimoto prototypes
Whoa! Where did all these parts come from? While developing the heat exchangers previously mentioned, we also developed a silicone radiator hose kit, and we put together some prototype intercooler pipes. These pipes are only tacked together and will be used for test fitting before we produce the final versions. We will cover the piping in a separate article in the near future!
Now that our team was more familiar with the installation process, the overall time for install was a bit quicker and certainly went smoother. Check out a few shots of these coolers completely installed!
Test truck with Mishimoto intercooler and radiator installed
Test truck with Mishimoto intercooler and radiator installed
All components fit perfectly! Increasing the size of both the radiator and intercooler was successful, and all engine bay and shrouding components bolt up perfectly to this assembly. We found no fitment issues that would require correction of our final product design. This is fantastic, considering the increase in size we have provided for both these components!
Now, the only thing left to do is some product testing. Check back with us next time for a look at the testing process!
Thanks for reading.
