anyone using a ebay intercooler kit?

[josephg15]

im looking into an ebay intercooler kit but im not too sure if all the piping is going to match up and fit where it is supposed to. here is an example of what kit i am talking about

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...-FMIC- ... otohosting

something like this is what im talking about...does anyone like it?...im looking for insight of people who have used this product. should i get it or something like it?

[fregisr]

link doesn't work. But I have the one from ssauto and it seems to hold up. No noticable pressure drop from smic to fmic

[Geno750]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...sting

That is the link, and that kit is so-so. Fitment is pretty rough, and takes quite a bit of work to get it installed. First they really need to bend the pipes that connect to the intercooler differently. The cold side pipe needs to be bent more than 90 degrees where it connects to the intercooler, and the small side of the hot pipe needs to be bent more, or they need to give you a 45 degree silicone coupler instead of two straight ones. Also, the fast idle tube by the TB needs to be tweaked as well as the tube coming from the engine for them to line up properly. Also, I had to get very creative to get the intercooler hung properly. The brackets are not that great, and don't like to be bent at all. I ended up using two exhaust manifold studs off of a 7MGTE with the nuts they provided and hung the brackets off the upper Silvia headlight bolts.

Overall, its decent bang for the buck and will fit with some work. I'll take some pictures of it installed on my car when the camera battery isn't dead.

[josephg15]

if you can take some pictures that would be great. did you notice any difference from the stock side mount to the ebay front mount? do you think it is really worth it? im not too worried about the extra work that needs to be done inorder for the fit, im wanting to know if i should spend money on the intercooler. if it doesn't help any i will buy something else. please let me know if you felt a difference with this front mount. thanks alot, Joe

[GoTRicEo0]

Just do it right the first time, unless you want to learn the hard way as I did.

If the price is just too steep for a legic FMIC... could aways go SMIC, they are just as good.

[Geno750]

Never had a stock sidemount, my swap came with an ARC one. The intercooler itself is worth the money, they don't leak, are massive bar & plate intercoolers, and will do a better job than the smic. Going out to take some pictures now.

[fast_s13]

here is a picture of my ebay inercooler...ill get a better one with the bumper off

[Geno750]

As promised:

As you can see, the intercooler has to be shifted to the left a bit for the coldpipe to fit

7MGTE exhaust manifold stud with the included nut on top and the included bracket(cut)

Here is where they should either bend the hotpipe a bit more, or give you a 45degree elbow (I have one on order)

different angle

From the top

This is elbow was not in the kit, and only worked because I am using an S15 turbo

Does not line up 100%, it is off a bit to the right (btw battery tray was repainted to hide the ugly corrosion )

Same problem, doesn't line up. The pipe needs to be bend a bit more to the left/right

You can see not all the couplers go on straight, and I was pretty nervous about them popping off or leaking, but I haven't found any leaks yet.

[PantherRacer]

here is a picture of my ebay inercooler...ill get a better one with the bumper off

[slow s13]

my budy has one for an s14 in it hangs down about 3 4 inches below the front plastic thats about the only problem

[fast_s13]

the he didnt install it right..when done right it is even with the bottem of the lip

[josephg15]

thanks alot those are some really great pics, they will help alot. one more question, did you have to relocate the battery or can you use a smaller size battery? thanks again for those pictures. good lookin

[Geno750]

You can use a slim battery, but for me it was cheaper to just relocate the battery to the trunk.

[slow s13]

no the core is just to big, I see how it is more plausible in your pics because you removed part of the front bumper supprot but his car still has it and its as high as possible its also quite possible that not all these non branded chinese intercooler kits are exactly the same, ill get some pics soon. oh just remembered his is a kouki maybe theres a bit less room to begin with?

just noticed that geno's apperears to be an s13 coldpipe probly the reason for the bad fitment

[Geno750]

just noticed that geno's apperears to be an s13 coldpipe probly the reason for the bad fitment

If you mean bad fitment on my car, it is a sileighty.

[Jadesr20det]

I must say I bought my pipng from ebay and bought my intercooler from a local guy . The piping was great and everything is really clean clamps are strong and couplings are good quality. No problems as of yet (nothing has blown off). As far as battery fitment is concerned I just relocated mine to the back (cheaper replacements etc.)Haven't had any experience with the intercooler core however personally.

[yokota180sx]

had no problems what so ever

[josephg15]

is the piping that comes with the ebay intercooler kits too small...im not really pushing any real power basically stock...or will it be a good size for me...thanks

[sunnys14]

unless u plan on running 450whp or more, u dont need anything bigger than 2.25" hotside and 2.75" coldside. anything bigger will increase turbo lag and decrease throttle response.