Intercooler mounting

[blue1]

I have just purchased a bar and plate FMIC Dimensions "core size" 18"X 12"x3" it has cast end tanks with 3" in & outlets both in & outs are opposed at either the bottom or the top which ever way you would mount it. My question is does it make any difference if the in & out were at the top or the bottom. Does the cooler just flow straight thru when there is no boost happening and only use the tubes in line with the in & out connections but when it goes into a high boost situation it fills the rest of the cooler and begins to work at 100% core?. To answer this would make the cooler easier to mount if the inlet and outlet were at the top side of the cooler, i know that as the charge air from the turbo enters the cooler it expands at a rapid rate thus it would fill the cooler anyway but just would like to see if any of you guys have experimented to see if it does make a difference! I have spoken to the guys at ARE.com.au and they cant see it being much of a problem and when i have seen some of the 1G FMIC's on here they seem to have the connections at the top of the cooler at 90 degrees to the fins anyway. Any input will be taken onboard and thought very hard over thanks in advance!! By the way my inlet pipe will be 2 1/2 and the outlet will be 3" in to a 75mm throttle body. i am running a t04 60trim with .70 split pulse exhaust housing.

 

[blue1]

Hard one HUH!!!!

 

[Omega]

ARE make some NICE IC's. The offset inlet/outlet will hurt flow a little bit but nothing important, in fact it actually cooler the air better. It forces the air to use every available row to get to the other side. A straight across design has less air in the sections opposite to the inlet/outlet... it flows more, doesn't cool as well.

I personally don't like the square 90 deg turn end tank designs, cheap to make, nasty/turbulant flow.

I am trying to order an IC from ARE.. do you know if they ship to the states?

 

[98spydert]

There is always goin to be air moving through the core but for the most part, yes the low amount of air pulled through under vac conditions will take the path of least resistance and move as straight as possible from inlet to outlet. As far as very low boost, if you're manifold is seeing any boost, you're IC is fully pressurized to that same pressure.

 

[blue1]

Not sure whether they will ship to the states. if they dont keep me posted and i will see what i can do to get it delivered here then pass it on collect!