Choosing an Intercooler

[Edub1]

1st) I see a popular size is the 12"X24"X3". Can these mount behind the bumper without having to remove any A/C components?

2nd) is there any disadvantage to having a large intercooler?

It seems like the large volume might increase lag a bit.

I'm trying to deal with ss-autochrome on one but their customer service seems lacking at this point.

[Florida240sx]

Get a FMIC.. Get one that fits the size of your opening....The thicker the better. Unless your going for over 400rwhp any fmic should work just fine....

[C-Kwik]

Larger is better to an extent. The internal volume is not going to be much bigger. Consider that most designes split up the air between all the channels, so the acutal volume is much less than the actual size. Bar and plates will have a little less than half the actual size of the intercooler (assuming there are equal amounts of internal and external channels). There are probably going to be turbulators inside the charge channels so that will take up some of the space. If we were to assume 50% the IC dimensions you provided give the equivalent of about 6"x3"x24". Probably almost 3 times larger than a pipe of the same length. Add in the turbulators and the fact that there are probably going to be more external channels than internal and you may only be looking at closer to double the volume. A tube and Fin design of the same dimenstions would likely have even smaller internal volume as the internal channels tend to be smaller and spaced out more.

As far as fitment, I had a I/C close to that size in an S14 and it fit. Had to do some trimming of the tab behind the bumper, but the A/C system was untouched. The I/C actually fit in front of the vertical core support beam (where the hood latch attaches) so there is plenty of room in the front end.

The advantages of larger intercoolers is less restriction and better heat capacity. If it gets enough airflow, then the heat exchange properties are much better as well. As I've said before in many other threads though, large intercoolers also act as a heatsink allowing you to store more heat during boost while shedding it at all times the vehicle is moving. Smaller intercoolers can easily see heatsoak quickly on long straights. It may be able to shed the stored heat quicker due to it's smaller mass, but it likely won't handle multiple back to back straights too well. It's doubtful you'll be able to fit an intercooler that would truly be considered too large behind the front bumper without much modification.

[boznuttz]

i was goign to look in junkyards for diesel truck intercoolers.

[WDRacing]

Man, I was going to toss in my .02, but Chano pretty much covered it...lol.

For the record, I wouldn't buy from SSA. Unless you simply can't find a decent deal...but they're out there.

WD

[Jookmasta]

check the advertiser's section for intermotorsports intercooler deal....................

[boznuttz]

bump. has ANYONE every heard of using truck intercoolers from a junkyard?

[wcbjr]

I have a good friend running one from an Isuzu NPR I think. Runs >300whp on his Miata.

[wcbjr]

Here is a thread to the so-called SSAC intercoolers. Huge thread, but the concensus is that they work well if you want to take the risk of crappy customer service.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forum...09584

[pr240sx]

I prefer water intercoolerIs a little bit more compicated but the efficiency rocks.Using a bait water pump (1100 gph) and a pair of BM style oil coolers, 2 gal reservoir.

Is easier to run charge pipesDunno how compare in a dyno with an air to air couterpart though.

[boznuttz]

ill keep thsi in mind on my next trip to the junkyard

http://www.student.kun.nl/p.oo....html

[crzycav86]

I have a starion fmic with the outlets modified to come from the side. I used it on my kat for several months until i upgraded. you can have it for $75. email me... [email protected]

[WDRacing]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...QrdZ1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...72774

Just a couple I was looking at

[Edub1]

I appreciate all the help. I purchased the 12" from SSAC and had to beg for help - not good.

On the upside, the intercooler is designed to fit the S13. Running IC pipe and making everything come together well is hard enough without having to custom fab a junk yard unit.

Anyway, thank's again. Now I need to find a good radiator for the SOHC.

[WDRacing]

Is your stock radiator broke?

[98240]

Was wondering if the greddy intercooler requires cutting of the bumper support.marty t is having a deal going on.zerothread/184345Also has anyone used the intermotorsports intercooler that can give some feed back on it.

[boznuttz]

have a friend with a recently wrecked starion, i have no money, so ill have to go with his offer. lol. thanks anyway though!

[WDRacing]

I don't want to start anything, but I'd stay away from a Starion IC unless it was free or close to. Far to many WAY better coolers for sale nowadays.

WD

[boznuttz]

girl friend's best friend's boyfriend. it will probabally warrant me a "free but pay for shipping" card.

[hannibal]

^ I think I know that guy lol!

What about Evo IC's? You can get them for $100 or so on the Evo forums. Good link for the OEM IC's. I think theres a second one in the 'start here' sticky...

[WDRacing]

The EVO cooler is nice, I'd use one of those on a budget project. The MKIII Supra cooler is also a decent unit.

WD

[Edub1]

I've noticed the car will overheat fairly easy - like without the shroud.

The stock one is just so whimpy I can't see it removing 300HP worth of heat too well. Plus my turbo is water cooled.

[WDRacing]

I used my stock Rad for a few weeks at 98-105 outside temps. I was boosting 15 psi or so, making decent power. I only bought the Koyo because I broke the return bung off the top of the rad...while it was running. Got myself some 3rd degree burns out of the deal.

But I never overheated and I have a decent sized FMIC.

WD

[Burnsey]

^ I think I know that guy lol!

What about Evo IC's? You can get them for $100 or so on the Evo forums. Good link for the OEM IC's. I think theres a second one in the 'start here' sticky...

I have a friend here in town that took the turbo route on his miata, he's using an Evo IC.

- not that it is relavent or anything. but yeah.

[Burnsey]

1st) I see a popular size is the 12"X24"X3". Can these mount behind the bumper without having to remove any A/C components?

2nd) is there any disadvantage to having a large intercooler?

It seems like the large volume might increase lag a bit.

I'm trying to deal with ss-autochrome on one but their customer service seems lacking at this point.

I think my brother is trying to sell his SRT-4 intercooler.... its the one that comes stock on the '05 (i believe - maybe '04) ... but yeah, you want me to check how much he wants for it?

[Edub1]

I'm thinking these guys look pretty good.

I bet most of these Ebay units are the same ones from China.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...37106

[WDRacing]

Looks good to me...3" in/out is a bonus.