FRONT MOUNT INTERCOOLER and STOCK TURBO?

[rhinotee]

will i have significant gains if i install a front mount intercooler even though im still using my stock turbo? i have a 2g... thanks guys.

 

[mjstruck]

A fmic on a stock turbo will actually make the turbo spool slower because it takes more time for the air to go through. Especially on a T-25. Stick with the stock sidemount until you upgrade the turbo. Don't underestimate the stock sidemount. but if you want, clean the intercooler so it will be more efficient.

 

[CU DSM]

It all depends on what your goals and budget are, in addition to how you drive the car.

I agree that the turbo will/should spool a little bit slower, but then again, you'll gain a little back on the top end by helping to avoid knock and eliminate heatsoak.

If you plan to upgrade the turbo, then you could certainly benefit from a FMIC now, but plan your setup accordingly so that you don't have to redo things down the road. For instance, if you get a frontmount, will you also be taking advantage of going to a blowthrough setup by buying a GM MAF and MAFTranslator, or will you just stick with the 2G MAS?

Your 2G MAS will work better than my 1G did, so you could stick with it for now, or even keep it as a part of your final setup. However, if you do end up going the Translator route later on, then you'll have to modify or replace your upper intercooler pipe at that time if you don't install the GM MAF/Translator when you do your FMIC.

When I did my FMIC, I went to a GM MAF and Translator and also went ahead on put a Tial BOV on at the same time so I could just put a K&N straight off the turbo. No, I didn't go the cold air route because the intercooler I've got is more than adequate. But that's the route I chose to go. Your roadmap might look completely different than mine.

I guess to get to the point, I'd really recommend that you sit down and come up with a roadmap of where you want to be and how you're going to get there. In addition, could you spend the money that you might spend on a FMIC in a more effective way right now and save that mod. for later?

-Jonathan

 

[taylork057]

a front mount with a t25 is just adding lag, and some cooler air. take your sidemount off spray some brake cleaner through it, get all the sut and stuff out of it and it will pull like new again.. dont wase 1000 wehn you dont need to, use it to buy a 16g

 

[HyperGSX]

my car lagged so bad with a bigger fmic on the stock turbo. I actually have to wait a few seconds after a high rpm shift to build boost again

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

Yea you'll have a significant gain of people thinking your car is fast and packing heat.

Seriously though, everyone is correct, but don't let it stop you from getting an FMIC. If you know you are going to upgrade the stock t25; IMO which every 2g "tuner" should do at some point in the car's lifetime (from what I've seen any t25 equipped dsm no matter what other mods is slow--unless they are spraying) then no worries since you are upgrading to be future proof.

 

[TurboTsiThatFly]

my 2g has some crazy boost lag or a boost leak i dont which though. but i have a side to side flow 27x9x3 intercooler on the stock turbo. and its got street style pipeing.

 

[fulanititoo8198]

I ran a greddy 24r back in the t25 days. I don't know all the lag these guys are talking about because I didn't notice any what so ever.

 

[TurboTsiThatFly]

i cant tell if mine is turbo lag or just plain overkill on the cfm rateing for the t25. i dont feel like im boostin until about 3000 to 3300rpm.

 

[hypnoticpimp]

How about a Front Mount on Big T28? I'm Considering a upgraded sidemount fron dejon. After 1 good pull i heat soak the stock smic pretty bad.

 

[4G63dsm1]

I'm in the same boat as you are. I was planning..well still 'am, on getting the T28 which would leave everything stock looking plus easier installation and also getting the upgraded dejon side mount intercooler...but i've haven't heard anyone with the upgrade side mount intercooler yet...i'm still waiting on people's opinion to see if it helps me make a final decision. According to Dejon...that upgraded side mount intercooler is good for up to 400 HP's...so i'm guessing is good for whatever set up you intent. Does anyone here has that set-up? T-28 with Dejon Upgraded side-mount intercooler.. sorry to hijack the thread.

 

[bighroder]

nitrouis express makes an n tercooler(it sprays nitrouis on the cooler and makes the air more dense), maybe that will help you

 

[DGajre777]

I run the SSAC/XS FMIC on my T25, it takes a while for the FMIC to fill up with air, so I get some lag. The lag is not that bad though, I get 15 psi of boost at 3200 RPMs.

 

[vaboys2ndgen]

i ran the xspower FMIC on my 2g ALSO but with a ported 14B and had no issues at all.

 

[viprez586]

I have the RRE style FMIC, with long route piping, running the 14b. If theres any lag its like 100-200rpms slower if that. However with my mods i don't lag.
But no more heatsoak

 

[bighroder]

you can also put methonal injection on to add power, it is fairly cheap, just a suggestion.

 

[a_flint87]

Keep the sidemount, unless you plan on upgrading turbos in the near future, the sidemount is adequate for the horsepower most of us are pushing, or at least the broke DSMers like me. Might actually cause your temps to rise from blocking the radiator. You could upgrade your intercooler piping to achieve similiar results.

 

[ItzMigzBro]

This thread answered my questions! Thank you.