Ok... I've been doing alot of research installing an I/C, and my concern is making brackets for the I/C itself and the hood support mod. I see most fab their own brackets, and have welders, presses, etc. All I have is a drill, sawzall, and a BFH. Would buying the Banks kit w/o the I/C ($700.00, w/ brackets, pipes, boots, clamps etc.) solve the welding/fab issue? This is about $200 more than piecing everything else together individually. All I need then is a used 7.3L I/C and install. Thoughts?

 

I'm not sure what the banks brackets look like, but I doubt they'll work.. I made my brackets when I installed a stock 7.3 IC and then I had to modify those brackets slightly to fit an aftermarket 7.3 IC. Where are you located? The best thing to do is find someone who can make the brackets to fit your IC and core support..

As far as the modification to the hood latch support goes, I just cut the part that runs down to the bottom of the core support off and leave it off. Some people weld in a cut down piece of angle iron, but I've been running without that lower part on the support for about 5 or 6 years now and never had a problem from it. I'm fixing to do another one that way too.

 

Your other option is to use the remaining $200 to buy a decent mig welder that will let you fab the brackets and then you'll have another too in your collection!!!! I don't think you'll need anything amazing in a welder - harbor freight or Northern usually sells a decent little mig welder with mask and all. just another route to consider

 

I've been procrastinating on doing the IC for some time now, also been thinking of picking up a tig welder at HF but not sure what amps I would need to weld those brackets. Any suggestions?

 

For small things like that I picked up a 90 amp flux core from Northern tool for 130

 

I have seen those 90's at HF but wasn't sure that would get the job done. If I got good enough I just might try making the pipes too, thanks for the info.

 

For the pipes I definitely prefer using a MIG with solid wire and gas... Much cleaner welds. I guess if you need it done on the cheap though, flux core will have to do.

 

My next one will be a tig

 

Do your research on that and don't buy something you're going to out grow in a year. Especially if you ever want to weld aluminum. LOL

 

I have a spool gun set up for my millermatic 251

 

That will work, but a good TIG will make a way nicer weld on aluminum than a spool gun if you know what you're doing. It's tough figuring out how to set up the TIG for aluminum when you're new to it though. LOL Don't put a sharp tip on the tungsten, IIRC we used tri mix gas, reverse polarity, and it really helps to have a TIG that you can adjust heat on the fly. We originally tried it with a TIG that piggybacked off another machine and it kinda sucked for aluminum.

 

Yeah I like the idea of more tools in the garage.... a mig welder huh. So now on top of convincing my better half I need Stage 1's, and an intercooler, now I gotta explain how badly I need the welder as well.

 

Who was the company that is making IC pipes for OBS trucks now days??? Anybody?

 

There is a guy over on PSN selling them for like 200-250

You can get just pipes from Jake at irate

 

This is the one I'm thinking of

TIG200 DC Welder | TIG Welder | TIG Welders | Eastwood