[Macabre]

It's the kit for $1000, not just the core. However, a good quality core is not cheap either. A decent size core complete with end tanks from a shop like Bell Intercoolers or Turbonetics can run you ~$7-800. The ebay intercoolers are cheap because they're using a cheaper core that's probably designed to be a radiator and they produce a few sizes in bulk. Ask them what their end tank baffling is like oke: Doesn't mean those cheap intercoolers are necessarily bad, but an IC from a respected shop is definitely going to be good If I were going to do an ebay buy, I'd look for something like what this shop sells, because at least you know the core is good: http://stores.ebay.com/The-Intercooler-Shop_W0QQsspagenameZl2QQtZkm

 

[Macabre]

You don't need access to a special tube bending equipment to fab a kit.. you just buy pre-bent pieces from jcwhitney or your favorite speed shop. You would want to buy a new IC big enough that you didn't need the stock one anymore. Having multiple intercoolers is not optimal because of the flow loss associated with the end tanks. Just use one bigger one.

 

[Macabre]

Yea, fab it yourself. The charge already goes across the front of the car by the bumber. You just reroute it through an intercooler instead of that cross tube.