just bought one and am in the process of fitting, the problem/question is how good a 'seal' do you need the rubber 'apron' to provide?

the splitter is the whole under bonnet section and has a 1" deep 'tunnel' coming down from the hole in the plate that's over the scoop opening. this is nowhere near the intercooler so i'm using the rubber apron from the OE plate to take up the gap.

where as the OE fitment fits inside the step of the i/cooler it now sits on the top, but there is a gap along one side.

does this really matter? i guess most of the air is forced thru the i/cooler but will any gaps let the air out? and if so will it make any difference to temperatures?

sorry if this doesn't make perfect sense, i'm not the most technically speaking of people but any advice would be appreciated

cheers

 

Simple answer is yes, it does make a difference if there is a gap around the seal. Thats why the manufacturer fits it in such a way. being as you are trying to force air through a restriction [ie the cooler core fins], any gaps around the edge are easier to flow through, so the flowing air will simply push to the sides instead.
A 15mm gap on one side for example can allow the cooler to run maybe 10 - 20 degrees higher than with a complete seal.

 

cheers mate, that sounds like a fair bit of heat!

i'll have a go at the weekend at fitting the rubber apron to a better seal.

ta