PDI Intercooler Kit suitable for Toyota Landcruiser 1HZ 78 79 Series

PDI Intercooler Kit suitable for Toyota Landcruiser 1HZ 78 79 Series

Transform your narrow-nose 78 / 79 Series Landcruiser’s turbo-converted 1HZ engine into a cool-air powerhouse with a dedicated front-mount intercooler – no factory cooler exists, so this is a must-have performance upgrade.

🚗 Suitable for:

• Toyota LandCruiser HZJ78 and 79-Series narrow-nose with turbo-converted 1HZ
• Works with a CT26 turbo (1HD style) as well as DTS & Denco, GTurbo, UFI & P4x4 turbo kits
• Compatible with standard, HD Auto or PDI airbox setups

🔥 Why Add an Intercooler?

Turbocharging a 1HZ without an intercooler works perfectly well on the stock injector pump, your engine will still deliver solid low-end torque and reliability. However, once you fit a modified injector pump or use your LandCruiser for sustained heavy towing, intake air temperatures can spike, leading to power roll-off, elevated EGTs, and extra stress on your engine. Adding the PDI front-mount intercooler slashes boost-charge temps by up to 3× versus no cooler, so you can run leaner, keep EGTs in check, and enjoy consistent mid-range torque under the toughest loads – ideal for modified 1HZ’s and towing applications.

📦 What’s in the kit:

• 600×240 mm bar-and-plate core with custom moulded end tanks
• Three flexible AC hoses + AC drier relocation components
• Solid-steel bonnet-latch support brackets
• Heavy-duty silicone joiners & USA-made Breeze clamps
• Radiator & condenser spacers with extended bolts
• Full set of mounts, brackets & hardware for a bolt-on, zero-maintenance fit
• Optional black or silver core finish

🛠️ Fitment Details:

• Trimming of the factory front panel (lower section) and grille is required to fit the core
• Works behind most bull-bars & winches
• AC piping & drier relocated to engine bay – retains full air-con function
• Radiator & condenser pushed back via supplied spacers – no cooling performance loss
• Maintains engine bay access for routine maintenance

📈 Performance Benefits:

• Intake temps drop from 150–180 °C to 42–60 °C in heavy towing tests (33–37 °C ambient)
• Under full-load climbs, core delivers 36 % more charge-air for the same fuelling
• Extended testing showed a 190 °C reduction from turbo outlet to post-core inlet
• Consistent, repeatable cooling on long pulls and when towing.

🔀 Top Mount vs Front Mount

Top-mounts are an easy option – hidden under the bonnet with zero cutting. But living in the engine bay means they suffer from heat soak. You’ll notice hotter intake air, and spiking EGTs, especially.

Front-mounts are more work to fit, but the payoff is massive. The core sits up front in fresh airflow, outperforming a top mount in every situation we have tested. That means crisp, repeatable power on back-to-back runs and no more heat soak holding you back. Running a bigger injector pump, towing or touring with a heavy setup? Front-mount is the only way to go.

🔧 Airbox & Turbo Fitment:

• Designed to fit with CT26 turbochargers (Factory 1HD-T style) and aftermarket turbo kits (UFI, GTurbo, etc.)
• Compatible with factory, HD Auto, PDI or custom airboxes

🤔 Why we chose these parts:

• Bar-and-plate core for maximum surface area and durability
• Moulded end tanks to fill the narrow-nose opening without flow restriction
• Silicone hoses & Breeze clamps for long-term, leak-free operation
• Solid brackets & spacers to preserve AC and radiator performance

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will this fit under my bull-bar and winch?
A: The core sits fully behind the grille and clears most setups; trimming of the front panel and lower grille is required.

Q: Do I lose AC function?
A: No—the kit includes all piping and drier relocation parts to keep your air-con working.

Q: Is panel trimming required?
A: Yes—trimming of the factory front panel (lower section) and grille is needed to make room for the core.

Q: Can I install it myself?
A: Yes—requires basic tools and mechanical skills.

Q: How much cooler will my intake air be?
A: Expect a 40–140 °C drop in intake-charge temps, depending on load and ambient conditions.

✅ Why choose Performance Diesel Intercoolers (PDI)?

• This is the largest core you can fit (possible due to our custom end tanks) and still retain the factory grill and any bumper or bull bar option.
• Additionally the tapering in of the headlight/grill line is matched by the end tanks to complement the design of the front of the vehicle.
• We have supplied intercoolers to highly modified 4WD where the owner is pushing the engine limits and running upwards of 60psi.
• Our cores have proved to be able to deal with the abuse an addition to amazing the customers with inlet air being so close to ambient both on the dyno and during use on the road/track/strip.