intercooler question

Post by **austin240sx** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

im looking at these fmic sets, and i think to myself "damn, i wish i had 1000$ to buy one" then a thought stirs in the back of my head......if i just buy the ic core, any ic core, i could pipe it into the sr, right? what are you ideas?thanks-justin

Post by **ItzGenX** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

Piping shouldn't be a problem. You will just need someone skilled enough to make some decent bends and welds. I bet a muffler shop could do the task.

Post by **austin240sx** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

but any core will work right? i found a spearco core on ebay for 250, and figured wtf, its better than the side mount as long as the only issue is piping....

Post by **Cyberkreig** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

it can and has been done.. but if i were you, before I invested in any core that I couldnt put on my car I would talk to a few local shops..See who would be willing/able to do MANDREL bent pipes and what its going to cost you.

Post by **VitaminT** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

You also have to keep in mind that most piping welded up at local shops is going to be steel vs. alum. To me it seems there would be a slight cooling difference and the local done pipes also might not be as big in diameter.

Just a thought.

Post by **jdmsilvia240sx** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

I'm with everyone else on this. Buying an ic kit rather than a do it yourself job would be more efficient. You should also consider the fitment issues. Also, the spearco cores they sell on ebay have rather small specs.

Post by **VitaminT** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

You should look into the Hybrid intercooler kits on ebay. The cores are huge and it costs $620shipped. The only bad thing is if you are not planning a turbo upgrade the core may be too big and they are also located in Japan or somewhere like that.

Post by **Onizuka** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

Cool people use cheap sidemounts like me

Post by **Nathan** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

Check out the PWR intercoolers on http://www.cheapturbo.com they are a bit pricey but I've heard nothing but good about them, in fact I'm about to upgrade to one from the IC I have now (this means the IC I have now will be up for sale in the FST section soon

) As for the piping, order 3 180 degree U bends, 2.5 inch off of summit and a chunk o' straight, hack it up yourself then mark where everything needs to be attached and have a muffler shop weld it up. In the end, you'll spend just as much as buying a nice kit though, it's just that us KAT guys have to do it the hard way.

Post by **hokiruu** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

The Hybrid kits on Ebay are totally decent, and can be had for cheap. On the other hand, if you research some sources for pre-mandrel bent pipes, and buy a decent intercooler (for a stock turbo or slightly upgraded turbo SR you should get away with at least a 18x10x2.5") it will only be about $5-600. but for another $150 you can window shop for a month or two at the major SR online stores and Ebay and come up on something that will fit perfectly. But like Jspec tuner said, you can get a decent sidemount for really cheap, and retain the sleeper status, which rocks!

Post by **austin240sx** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

well, for now i think that i am going to stick with the factory side mount. there was an issue with using the ka's radiator and the piping for the side mount getting in the way. i think ive decided to get an aftermarket sr radiator and electric fan. in the end it comes down to dollars and centsthanks again, and wish me luck!!!justin

Post by **hokiruu** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

nothing wrong with that my friend. all the standard FMIC kits are basically modeled after GTR units people were upgrading to in order to accomodate larger turbos. you will be fine with the stock smic at stock boost. if you raise boost, you can just get a nice little core from another car or maybe spearco that's a bit bigger, and save alot of $.

Post by **f150intally** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

Guys,just because a core is big doesn't mean it is better. If you are serious about intercooling you should find out what the flow rating of the core you are looking at is and appropriately size it to your application. If the people selling the core you are looking at are serious about selling intercoolers then they will be able to tell you the maximum flow rating for the intercooler.

That is why spearco lists all their flow rates for there cores on their website.

I just hate to see someone pick up a core on eBay that looks big but only flows 200cfm when you need like 400cfm.

- Jay

Post by **thes14project** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

I bought my Hybrid intercooler off ebay and I love it. Fast shipping, even though it is in Japan

Post by **VitaminT** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

How do I calculate what my needed flow rate will be. Can I just convert my corrected lbs/min to cfm?

Post by **austin240sx** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

i only need the first question answered: how do i calculate what my needed flow rate will be?

Post by **hokiruu** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

http://www.gnttype.org/techare....htmlI didn't read all that very carefully, but it might help. there are excellent books about turbocharging at Borders. go in and find the right chapter, or buy the book, and you'll know everything.

Post by **toledo240** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

austin i wouldn't worry about upgrading your radiator just yet, get an electric fan and stick it on your stock radiator. I have a 14" perma cool i picked up for 80 bucks and im going to stick it on my ka. With a smic you shouldnt have a problem.with a fmic you might, if your going to be driving the car hard. I have heard people put 1g dsms smic's on there stock pipng and a little rigging push 20psi. I also want to do a fmic down the , look at intercoolers off a isuzu nprs. They come in three different sizes small, medium,large. Look at the post i started a while back.Just go to serch and put in arc smic, then look for the one that says "im to cheap for a fmic kit"

Post by **f150intally** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

Engine Mass Flow is calculated with the following formula:

Displacement x Volumetric Efficiency x Intake Density x (RPM/2)

To Calculate Intake Density:

(Boost Pressure in PSI + 14.7)/(53.3 x12x(460+Intake Temp))

Intake Temp that is commonly used is 115 deg. Farenheit

You can find these formulas in various books but the one listed above is what Garrett uses to calculate mass flow. you a conversion to get to CFM if the intercooler manufacturer doesn't list the mass flow in lb/min.

You can also find more information by searching the various forums as this has been discussed before.

- Jay

Post by **austin240sx** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

is there a company that sells upgraded smic kits? toledo, did you ever find the arc intercooler in english? that was looking like a pretty sweet deal. i just want something that will bolt on with little modifications. my car has been sitting in the garage for too long!!! thanks-justin

Post by **toledo240** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:43 pm

I did go around and find some on the forums and on ebay. Arc does bolt right on the smic piping. You can find some on ebay but they always come and go. I do have a friend 180fan from these forums that know how to order stuff from japan's yahoo auction, he is looking for one for me i guess its about 125 less in japan than here. I cant think of the name that does sell upgraded smic's but it should be in that forum i told you about, i think someone does sells dsm intercoolers that are welded together. I know a guy that had one from that company and is running 25psi daily on his dsm.

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