I took off my OEM intercooler to do some work. I noticed some additional apparatus bolted to the bottom of it. See the attached pictures. Does anybody have an idea of what this is? The intercooler's job is very simple; i.e., exchange heat with the environment. So I'm confused what the additional apparatus might do.

Thanks in advance!
M Ridzon

 

Not sure.
My 1st guess would be some type of moisture extractor chamber.
2nd guess is a type of muffler to diffuse turbulent air flow inside the intercooler.

Someone must know the answer. ( I bet DrLoch knows )

 

This is a good one. #3 on this GM parts blow up shows a mounting bracket. It's on the back side of the inter-cooler.

https://www.gmpartsonline.net/auto-p...tercooler-scat

Why would this be on the back and hinder air flow ?
The back of the OEM unit doesn't look too good to begin with.

 

#3 in your link is not the part I'm referring to. The part I'm referring to is not specifically shown in that image. Rather, it's part of #1, the intercooler, and attaches to the bottom of it. But again, it's not shown in the exploded view you linked to, probably because the two pieces are sold as a unit.

 

Your correct, I was looking at it all wrong.
"Stupid is what stupid does".

 

 

FiremanGeorge is correct.
Its a moisture/oil trap. A lot of Cobalt guys were snapping them off by rough driving.

As said on the Cobalt forum:
That service information is for earlier build 2007 Sosltice GXPs that when driving in damp /humid weather encounter misfires and set codes on hard acceleration. Moisture gathers in the charge air cooler at idle and is ingested on hard acceleration from a stop.
Here`s the link.
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/08-1...n-pipe-212936/

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/prob...ow-bad-290706/

DOH!

 

Thanks for sharing @Pretzel . That makes perfect sense!

 

winner winner Pretzel is correct

 

I noticed in their information, the ZZP intercooler doesn’t have the plastic piece.