An intercooler configured for attachment to an automobile is disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes an intercooler body having an inlet manifold on one end and an outlet manifold on the other end, and a decorative top plate on the top of the intercooler attached to the manifolds. The decorative top plate has two holes in it which are both keyed to resist rotation of an insert, a hollow bolt having a stepped formation under the bolt head such that the stepped formation is able to key in the hole cut in the plate, the bolt is inserted through the top of the plate and secured by a nut secured underneath it so that the head of the bolt lies flush against the plate and the stepped formation keys against the hole to prevent rotation. In addition, the bolt is hollow having a threaded passage passing through it to receive another bolt to secure the intercooler to a bracket in the automobile.
1. An intercooler for an automobile, comprising:
an intercooler body having an inlet manifold on one end and an outlet manifold on the other end;
a decorative top plate on the top of the intercooler attached to the manifolds, the decorative top plate having two holes in it which are both keyed to resist rotation of an insert;
a hollow bolt having a stepped formation under the bolt head such that the stepped formation is able to key in the hole cut in the plate, the bolt is inserted through the top of the plate and secured by a nut secured underneath it so that the head of the bolt lies flush against the plate and the stepped formation keys against the hole to prevent rotation; and
wherein the bolt is hollow having a threaded passage passing through it to receive another bolt to secure the intercooler to a bracket in the automobile.
2. The intercooler according to claim 1 , wherein the holes and the stepped formations match each other.
3. The intercooler according to claim 1 , wherein the holes in the decorative top plate and the stepped formations under each bolt have a hexagonal or square shape.
4. The intercooler according to claim 1 , wherein the height of the stepped formation may be equal to, or less than, the thickness of the plate.
5. The intercooler according to claim 1 , further comprising a second decorative plate welded along the underside of the intercooler.
6. The intercooler according to claim 1 , wherein the decorative top plate and hollow bolt are machined or molded from stainless steel.
7. The intercooler according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one channel with substantially straight fins, wherein the air flow through the at least one channel is faster than other areas of the intercooler body.
8. The intercooler according to claim 7 , wherein the at least one channel is located at the top of the intercooler adjacent to the top plate, to force more air from the intercooler body to exit through the outlet manifold.
9. The intercooler according to claim 1 , wherein the ends of the intercooler having the inlet and outlet manifolds are rounded, to reduce the drop in pressure within the intercooler.