Description
Upgrade the charge-air cooling system on your 2017+ Ford F-150 or Ford F-150 Raptor equipped with the 2.7L or 3.5L EcoBoost engine with the AMS Performance High Mount Intercooler. Designed to relocate the factory intercooler from its low-mounted position in the front bumper to the upper grille area, this high-mount intercooler frees valuable lower-front-end space for winches, frame-cut bumpers, Baja bumpers, and prerunner-style builds while providing significantly greater core volume than the OEM intercooler.
The AMS High Mount Intercooler features a 24 x 14 x 3.5-inch bar-and-plate core with 1176 cubic inches of volume, compared with approximately 552 cubic inches for the factory intercooler. The core uses custom AMS-spec fin and tube geometry and is paired with CAD-designed cast aluminum end tanks featuring 3-inch inlet and outlet ports for efficient airflow and compatibility with custom intercooler piping.
The cast outlet tube incorporates an integrated blow-off valve mounting provision compatible with the factory blow-off valve or a Turbosmart VeePort. A drain plug is positioned at the low point of the intercooler system for convenient servicing and removal of accumulated oil mist and condensation.
Designed for demanding off-road applications, the intercooler is supported by a massive 1-inch 304 stainless steel gusseted lower support bar engineered to withstand the impacts and loads associated with off-road driving. Two mounting pins with rubber grommets help isolate the intercooler from impact energy, while the 304 stainless steel upper support bracket locates the core and limits movement.
This version features a black powder-coated finish with the AMS logo, providing a finished appearance behind the upper grille. The AMS Performance High Mount Intercooler connects to the factory intercooler piping and is designed for 2017+ Ford F-150 and F-150 Raptor models with 2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost engines.
Key Features
- 113% more core volume than the OEM intercooler
- 24 x 14 x 3.5-inch bar-and-plate intercooler core
- 1176 cubic inches of core volume compared with 552 cubic inches for the factory unit
- Custom AMS-spec fin and tube geometry
- High-mount design relocates the intercooler behind the upper grille
- Frees the lower front bumper area for a winch or frame-cut off-road bumper
- Massive gusseted 1-inch 304 stainless steel lower support bar
- 304 stainless steel upper support bracket
- CAD-designed cast aluminum end tanks
- 3-inch cast inlet and outlet ports
- Cast outlet tube with integrated blow-off valve mount
- Compatible with the OEM blow-off valve or Turbosmart VeePort
- Drain plug at the low point of the intercooler system
- Retains factory intercooler piping fitment
- Black powder-coated finish
- AMS logo
- Designed for demanding off-road use
High-Mount Design
The factory intercooler on the Ford F-150 and F-150 Raptor is positioned low in the front bumper, occupying space commonly needed for aftermarket winches and frame-cut Baja or prerunner-style bumpers. The AMS Performance High Mount Intercooler relocates the intercooler behind the upper grille, returning the lower front-end area to the rest of the truck's off-road build.
The high-mount configuration also provides room for a substantially larger intercooler core. Measuring 24 x 14 x 3.5 inches, the core provides 1176 cubic inches of volume, compared with approximately 552 cubic inches for the factory intercooler. The larger core sits behind the upper grille where airflow is available while leaving the lower bumper area open for additional equipment.
CAD-Designed Construction and Airflow
The AMS Engineering Team modeled the front end of the truck in CAD to account for charge pipe locations, existing vehicle hardware, and available clearances. The end tanks are constructed from cast aluminum rather than folded sheet metal, allowing airflow to be managed into and out of the intercooler core.
Both end tanks feature 3-inch ports, providing increased airflow capacity and an ideal starting point for custom intercooler piping. The intercooler connects to the factory intercooler piping as delivered.
A drain plug is positioned at the low point of the intercooler system in the cold-side outlet tube. This allows accumulated oil mist and condensation to be drained during routine servicing.
Heavy-Duty Off-Road Mounting
The high-mounted intercooler is supported by a heavy-duty structure designed to handle the additional loads associated with off-road use. The lower support is constructed from 1-inch 304 stainless steel tubing and features stainless steel gusseting along the underside to provide additional rigidity and resistance to flex.
The core is mounted using two mounting pins isolated by rubber grommets to help damp impact energy before it reaches the intercooler end tanks. A 304 stainless steel upper support bracket locates the core and limits movement while the lower support structure carries the primary load.
Data-Driven On-Vehicle Testing
The AMS SnailWorks Engineering Team uses real-world testing to validate intercooler performance against established baselines. The company's research and development Ford F-150 Raptor is equipped with a MoTeC dash data logger and a 19-sensor array for monitoring critical engine and turbocharger parameters during dyno testing and on-road validation.
Testing of the AMS High Mount Intercooler evaluates charge-air temperature at the intercooler inlet and outlet as well as pressure drop across the core. Testing is conducted against the OEM intercooler and leading high-mount intercooler kits, with the same calibration maintained between runs so the intercooler remains the primary variable being evaluated.
Product Notes
- Connects to the factory intercooler piping only.
- Not compatible with AMS Performance aftermarket intercooler pipes or other aftermarket intercooler pipes.
- A dedicated AMS intercooler pipe set for the High Mount Intercooler is in development and is expected in Q1 2027.
- Installation requires removal of the upper front grille shutters.
- Installation requires trimming of the surrounding duct material.
Vehicle Fitment
- 2017+ Ford F-150 — 2.7L EcoBoost
- 2017+ Ford F-150 — 3.5L EcoBoost
- 2017+ Ford F-150 Raptor — 2.7L EcoBoost
- 2017+ Ford F-150 Raptor — 3.5L EcoBoost
Product Specifications
- Part Number: AMS.55.09.0002-3
- Finish: Black Powder Coat
- Logo: AMS Logo
- Core Type: Bar and Plate
- Core Dimensions: 24 x 14 x 3.5 inches
- Core Volume: 1176 cubic inches
- Inlet/Outlet Size: 3 inches
- End Tank Material: Cast Aluminum
- Support Material: 304 Stainless Steel
- Mounting: Rubber-Isolated Mounting Pins
- Blow-Off Valve Compatibility: OEM Valve or Turbosmart VeePort
- Piping Compatibility: Factory Intercooler Piping Only
- Installation: Upper Front Grille Shutters Must Be Removed; Surrounding Duct Material Requires Trimming
