Steve, I have followed this exchange with great curiosity and interest. I appreciate the fact that you are reaching out to others, and read with interest comments that were staying grounded towards solutions, as I do not like to compromise at the expense of another significant component of the car. I support your voiced frustration that a $1K inter-cooler and matching ducting could continue in so many instances, unless they assume everyone is going to compromise. Very seldom do I argue past the point of a manufacturer telling me I have to accept it...or else. I vote with my wallet, and offer a request to them regarding putting their talents towards a solution (just tell me the price to fix it Mr Manufacturer). Otherwise there is plan B. Then my money goes in that direction. You can have all the specs in the world to substantiate the awesomeness of something, but if 90% of driving your GN requires that the hood pad is chewed up, my ride is going to be miserable. Perhaps I speak for my brother....but I defer to you. You are obviously driven by an end-goal that relies very heavily on quality, and I applaud the fact that others have contributed opinions, and methods tried for their solution. I continue to watch this with interest.
Mike Licht from Full Throttle says this is infact not a common occurance if you consider the number of intercoolers that have been sold by PTE. Here's a copy of our emails. They are bottom oldest, newest on top.
RE: PTE SLIC
Monday, March 2, 2015 12:37 PM
Mark as Unread
From: Steve V
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2015 12:17 PM
To: Mike Licht
Subject: RE: PTE SLIC
-------- Original message --------
From: Mike Licht
Date:03/02/2015 10:22 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: Steve Vaillancourt
Subject: RE: PTE SLIC
When you consider the number of units sold this is not a problem with most cars. I understand and respect your decision. The poly mounts should help some. The powerplate will not. There really is no other option that gives the performance other than a front mount. For a car like you're a custom up pipe built to fit the car would be the best solution if you want a good stock location intercooler. The GN1 unit won't hit the hood but also won't give anywhere near the performance. If we can help let us know
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve V
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2015 10:19 AM
To: Mike Licht
Subject: RE: PTE SLIC
Mike,
This is a frame off restoration, big thread in VA area under my name Steve V.
Poly body bushings.....Stock rubber mounts(kirban)...RJC power plate.....
Lots of people with same issue in tech area.
I know one thing. I will not buy one for my personal car. I will advise all future customers who want to go this route and let them decide.
Thanks for your help.
Steve
--------------------------------------------
On Mon, 3/2/15, Mike Licht <
mike@fullthrottlespeed.com> wrote:
Subject: RE: PTE SLIC
To: "Steve Vaillancourt" <
sasybit@ymail.com>
Date: Monday, March 2, 2015, 9:40 AM
I would not call it
common in fact most cars don't do this. Some do however, if you have an aftermarket plenum or spacer they are taller which makes them close, sagging body bushings do the same, aftermarket motor mounts typically raise the motor up. All of these things can cause this problem. You can shorten the pipe on the intercooler end however sometimes when you do this you have to make the throttle body end longer depending on the cut, or a longer hose will sometimes work.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Vaillancourt [
mailto:sasybit@ymail.com]
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2015 7:56 AM
To: Mike Licht
Subject: PTE
SLIC
Hello Mike,
I have ran into a snag with
this intercooler. The up pipe hits the hood pad. I have a thread on the forum and it seems this is common and we as a community have just accepted it and PTE has not redesigned the pipe.
Can you provide
and insight on this issue?
Thanks Steve
V
I elongated the holes in the brackets more and slid the intercooler down a little. I then took the up pipe to a fab shop and cut about 1/2 inch off where it goes into the intercooler and had them roll the bead after the cut and all is well. If you decide to go the 2 1/2 up pipe route you will have to use a longer hose from the up pipe to the throttle plate ( I believe 5 inches) I also took the frame brace off on the passenger side and had the same shop bend it to clear the lower intercooler. I think It is a great intercooler however like all performance mods it needs a tweaking. 
