Mishimoto MMUIC-15 Universal Air-to-Air Race Intercooler Core 20.5 in x 6.25 in x 2.5 in Bar-and-Plate

The Mishimoto MMUIC-15 Universal Air-to-Air Race Intercooler Core gives custom intercooler builders a robust, bar-and-plate aluminum core rated for up to 400 horsepower and 100 PSI, sized at 20.5 inches long by 6.25 inches tall by 2.5 inches thick. This is a bare core only with no end tanks, no inlet or outlet ports, and no mounting hardware. It arrives in a raw aluminum finish ready for fabrication, welding your own custom end tanks, and finishing however your build requires.

What's Included

• 1x Mishimoto 20.5 in x 6.25 in x 2.5 in bar-and-plate intercooler core (bare, no end tanks)
• Mishimoto Lifetime Warranty

Product Specifications

Bar-and-Plate Construction

Bar-and-plate cores are built by stacking alternating aluminum bars and corrugated fin layers, then brazing the assembly together. Compared to tube-and-fin construction, bar-and-plate cores offer significantly better impact resistance, higher pressure ratings, and more efficient heat transfer per unit of volume. The dense fin matrix pulls heat out of the compressed charge air more aggressively, which translates directly to lower intake air temperatures and more consistent power. For any build targeting high boost pressures or track use, bar-and-plate is the correct choice.

Raw Finish and Fabrication Flexibility

This core arrives uncoated, which means the aluminum surface is ready to weld, grind, prep, and finish exactly as your build requires. You can powder coat it, anodize it, paint it with heat-resistant chassis paint, or leave it natural. The raw finish eliminates the need to strip an existing coating before welding your custom end tanks, saving prep time. Mishimoto also offers a downloadable logo stencil for custom branding on the core face if you want the Mishimoto mark on your finished build.

Custom End Tank Fabrication

Because this is a bare core, completing the intercooler requires fabricating and welding your own aluminum end tanks. End tank geometry, inlet and outlet port placement, port diameter, and tank volume are all determined by your build requirements and the available space in your engine bay. This gives you full control over flow path, pipe routing, and port angle in ways that no pre-assembled intercooler can match. Common approaches include cast end tanks sourced from a fabrication supplier, hand-formed sheet aluminum tanks, or 3D-printed patterns used as forms for casting. Inlet and outlet diameters are chosen to match your intercooler piping size, which for most builds in the 200 to 400 HP range will be 2 inches to 2.5 inches.

Performance Ratings

This core is rated for builds up to 400 horsepower and supports boost pressures up to 100 PSI. The 20.5 x 6.25 x 2.5 inch dimensions put this core in the small to mid-range bracket, suitable for four-cylinder street builds, lightweight track cars, and lower-displacement forced induction applications where packaging space is limited. If your build targets power levels above 400 HP, Mishimoto offers larger cores in the same bar-and-plate construction with greater core volume and higher HP ratings.

About Mishimoto

Mishimoto is an automotive thermal management company headquartered in New Castle, Delaware, specializing in performance cooling products including intercoolers, radiators, oil coolers, catch cans, and silicone hose kits. Founded in 2005, Mishimoto backs all of its products with a lifetime warranty and maintains an in-house engineering and R&D team that develops direct-fit and universal performance parts for a wide range of vehicles.

Prop 65 Warning

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including those known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Warranty

Mishimoto backs this intercooler core with their Lifetime Limited Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty applies to the original purchaser only and is non-transferable. All warranty claims require the original sales receipt. Contact Mishimoto directly for full warranty terms and the claims process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mishimoto MMUIC-15?
This is a bare 20.5 in x 6.25 in x 2.5 in bar-and-plate aluminum intercooler core. It ships with no end tanks, no inlet or outlet ports, and no mounting hardware. It is designed for custom fabrication builds where you weld your own end tanks to match your specific vehicle and piping layout.

Does this core come with end tanks?
No. This is a bare core only. End tanks, inlet ports, outlet ports, and all mounting hardware are not included and must be sourced and fabricated separately. This is intentional and gives you complete freedom over port sizing, port placement, and tank geometry to suit your specific build.

What horsepower and boost levels can this core support?
Mishimoto rates this core for builds up to 400 horsepower and up to 100 PSI of boost pressure. For builds exceeding 400 HP, a larger Mishimoto core with greater core volume is the appropriate choice.

What size inlet and outlet ports do I need?
Since this is a bare core with no ports, inlet and outlet sizing is entirely determined by the end tanks you fabricate. For most builds in the 200 to 400 HP range, 2 to 2.5 inch diameter ports are a common choice to match standard intercooler piping sizes.

What is bar-and-plate construction and why does it matter?
Bar-and-plate cores are built from stacked aluminum bars and corrugated fin layers brazed together. They offer better impact resistance, higher burst pressure ratings, and more efficient heat transfer than tube-and-fin cores. For track or high-boost street builds, bar-and-plate is the preferred construction type.

Does this core need to be coated or prepped before welding?
No. The raw aluminum finish means no existing coating needs to be stripped before welding. You can weld directly to the core face. After fabrication is complete, apply your preferred finish, whether powder coat, paint, or anodizing, to protect the aluminum from corrosion.

Can I powder coat this core?
Yes. The raw aluminum finish is ready for powder coating, anodizing, high-temp paint, or any other surface treatment after your end tanks are fabricated and welded. Coat the fully assembled intercooler after all welding is complete to avoid burning off the finish during fabrication.

What is the Mishimoto Lifetime Warranty?
Mishimoto covers this core under their Lifetime Limited Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty is valid for the original purchaser only with proof of purchase and is non-transferable. Contact Mishimoto directly to initiate a warranty claim.

Is this a Prop 65 product?
Yes. California residents should be aware that this product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. See www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information.