SR20 FMIC's on S14 KA

[fritts]

I was wondering if anyone has modified an aftermarket SR20 intercooler kit to work with the KA24DE. How much custom work has to be done? Looks like a decent way to go HPI has an intercooler setup with HotPipe for the S14 at $800. If not to much custom fabrication has to be done I might do a custom setup as the piping was scarying me the most.

[Xero]

that hotpipe is for a SR, though, it might not work, it might be more efficient just to get a core and get the piping made, or make it yourseld depending on your mechanical ability.

Some guys are using Spearco cores, though I don't think anyone has had any problems, though I personally wouldn't use a Spearco core. They use a bar & plate system that can block alot of air flow to the radiator, GReddy and HKS, and I believe HPI use a tube & fin system that cools the charge just fine, but still allows ample flow to the radiator.

I don't know if anyone here has ever run their Spearcos for long amounts of time, but I've heard of some touring cars overheating with their Spearco cores.

[:: orion ::]

You may be able to use an SR hot pipe with a KA-T if you utilized a bottom mounted manifold and a T3...?

But my guess is that ANY custom KA-T setup will require a custom hot pipe. It's pretty easy to do though...

- - - - - - - - -

I have a '96 with a custom KA-T: My solution was to use a GReddy VSPL S14 kit with an S13 cold pipe and custom hot pipe...

The S14 cold pipe is nowhere near lining up with the TB, but the S13 pipe has the right bends. You can read all about it here:

http://www.cautioncreativity.c...r.htm

Later - Brian

[MarkEmark]

Hmm...I've never heard of a bar and plate spearco design being inferior to tube and fin...I thought spearco was one of the industry's best...? Are the costs for tube and fin or bar and plate (same size core, no HKS name brand inflation) the same?

[:: orion ::]

Spearco is good...

Bar and plate is not as efficient as tube/fin cores...but have better flow. I'd rather have the efficiency of tube/fin.

The difference is that bar and plate does not have internal turbulators to slow down the airflow and aid in cooling - More surface area = better cooling.

Later - Brian

[Xero]

you have that backwards, a bar plate system is more efficient, a Spearco core is more efficient than a HKS or GReddy core, however, the GReddy or HKS core will flow more to the radiator, and won't have as high of a potential of overheating,

that's why more aftermarket FMIC kits are tune-fin systems, 'cause they're fine for a lower boost, daily driven set-up, higher boosted cars that are running 1/4mile use a more efficient bar-plate system 'cause they race at quick times,

[:: orion ::]

No...

Bar and plate = lots more flow, less efficienecy

Tube/fin = Much more efficient.

Spearco makes both...

GReddy VSPL is kinda bar and plate (has some internal fins), RSPL has tube/fin core = More efficient, higher HP rating, better cooling.

And for the most part, they have the same flow to the radiator - It's the internal fin design that makes the difference.

I'll see if I can find some pics for you...

Later - Brian

[C-Kwik]

Tube-fin designes are typically more efficient. The Bar-Plate designs allow better flow through the core as the opening for each channel is flush with the end of the core itself. The tube-fin design sticks out a bit, slowing airflow some. The slower the air goes through a core, the more time it has cool.

Both designs can use internal fins. And each can have varying fin density, which is really where a lot of pressure drop vs efficiency compromises can be seen.

As far as airflow to the radiator, the tube-fin generraly does better. Part of it has to do with the shape of each channel. A tube-fin tends to have rounded channels that allow air to go smoother through the face of the core. Bar-Plate I/S's have a flat face which is not as aerodynamic. Tube-fin designs tend to use thinner channels, so more air can pass through to the radiator. The ambient turbulators also tend to be less dense as well.

In defense of the Bar-plate, it is a heavier unit. The metal used is thicker, which makes it more durable to road hazards(tire tread, rocks, debris, small animals, etc). And because it has more mass, it can absorb more heat before it experiences heat soak. Though, if you size properly, this should not be as big an issue. Bar and Plates tend to be more flexible as well. Most Tube-fin are long and typically have similar dimensions. Bar and plate are easily modified for different size requirements. You can also either run horizontal or vertical channels. In a typical FMIC set-up where the I/C is wider than tall, you can run more channels by running a vertical set-up and get less of a pressure drop with the same efficiency.

There's no simple answer to which one is better. It depends on several factors. It's really a tough call. There are several different tube-fin designs with different turbulator design and densities, and even some with offset channels like the APEXi' intercoolers. The only Bar-Plate manufacturer I know if is Spearco, and unfortunately, their cores all seem to have the same turbulator densities. But if you can find some with different densities, there can be some more fine tuning to the needs of the car.