The intercooler is in front of the radiator and takes up around half of it. I did run this engine with no intercooler for a few months and it had the same issues. I couldn't get out in it today because after it ran fine on e85 over the weekend, but today it decided to rev high and then keep stalling. But will try over the next few days and if it is consistent and doesn't jump around I will just have to be happy with 190 to 200. But I would stilly bonnet and not singe my hair from the heat.lol So I might ad a scoop to help the engine bay temps