19psi + stock intercooler

[MyBeatGSX]

Just like the topic title says. Like most people here, I drive a Mitsu and not a Ferrari for a reason. An FMIC is way out of my price range at the moment (and for the forseeable future), that Dejon Tool sidemount is questionable. So the question is, is it safe to run 19-20psi on the stock intercooler? Obviously there's no problem now, seeing as how its 20* outside, but what about the summer? My setup is in my profile. If its not safe or smart, is the Dejon SMIC a worth while upgrade? I REALLY REALLY can't afford a front mount, so please don't suggest it.

 

[Pure92TSi]

I would say from my experience it's not a good idea. You will heat soak it like crazy and get knock. If you go with the super sidemount that dejon tool sells you should be fine. You could even look into get a Supra sidemount. Looking at around 100 bucks and a small amount of work to make it fit but nothing too involved. Good luck.

 

[MyBeatGSX]

Do you have a how-to for the Supra smic so I can see what's involved? Is that an ebay buy or am I going to have to go through every junkyard in the country to try to find one?

 

[VicBoost]

there are some on ebay and like always ebay is cheap and good..

 

[2gGSX]

My FMIC setup is costing me under 370 after everything's shipped? You can easily make a nicer front mount setup for less than the cost of the dejon tool super sidemount.

 

[Enraged78]

I have a Evo III GT, and it will heat soak the stock intercooler after three hard pulls in 20-30 degree weather. At that point, I start to knock like crazy. The computer will pull up to 4 degrees of timing on me if I stay on it. If you're looking for a good alternative to a FMIC, think about water/alchohol injection. If you do a dual jet solution, as in one small jet pre-intercooler to eliminate heat soak, and a larger injector at the throttle body, you will see incredible gains. If you decide to go with a FMIC later, it will just run even better, especially with a turbo like the small 16G.

Thanks,
Matt.

 

[99GSXAWDTURBO]

for the price of the dejon side mount i know where you can get a intercooler and short route pipes brand new. PM me if intrested.

 

[jyang8]

Hey guy, i don't mean to ask a stupid question but...what is a heat soak and can it also happen to a fmic?

my car knocks so just wondering if thats a problem

 

[Pure92TSi]

Hey guy, i don't mean to ask a stupid question but...what is a heat soak and can it also happen to a fmic?

my car knocks so just wondering if thats a problem

Heat soaking is basically when the intercooler gets too hot to cool the air coming through it into the engine enough. That's the best i can explain it. It can happen to a FMIC but it's much more rare. I doubt that is why you have knock. I bet your problem is fuel.

 

[kraka]

heatsoak is similar to a radiator overheating...Theres basically too much hot airflow coming from the turbo for the stock i/c to cool....The smic is not strong enough to cool 19psi of boost--not enough volume

A Fmic can heatsoak also...It just either has to be a small core with a bigger turbo (ie a starion fmic w/ a 50trim at 22psi) or a decent core w. a massive turbo pushing insane boost

I think a larger smic would be a temporary solution...It should keep knock down, but what if you run more boost or upgrade to a bigger turbo...Eventually, I just don't think it would measure up to the potential of a decent fmic...If you can make your own piping, which isn't so expensive for pre-bent 2.5" pipes, then some well-designed cores usually cost less than ~$300....Look up johnnyracecar.com at their selection

 

[MyBeatGSX]

I'll try to look around for FMIC's, if I can build one cheap enough I might go for it. But I''m also trying to avoid removing the bumper and modifying the front end. I have that weird smilie face body style I think it requires more modification than the regular bumper with the large opening. I'm sure the airflow isn't as good either.

I know what everyone says, but I really don't plan on going anything bigger than an Evo III at 20psi. This is my daily driver, I can't risk stupid high numbers and the reliablity that goes with it.

 

[RedRex02]

I believe you are in the same boat as me.
Front mount is not out of the question by any means. You can go a few routes for front mount. You can always buy a used setup, name brand of course. If you are the kind of guy that wants new, definitely go with Johhnnyracecar.com intercoolers and do your own piping. Those have been proven to be efficient and are good quality.
If you want a sidemount, DO NOT spend the amount for a Dejon tool ic, way too expensive. IF you want a sidemount, go with a Supra sidemount and do your won pping, it isnt that hard.
Good luck

 

[MyBeatGSX]

What about a 1G smic? I took one off at the junkyard for my friend to use on his budget turbo Civic. It looked to me like it was at least twice as thick as mine. But the pipes seemed to be really small.

 

[andymoraitis]

From firsthand experience, I used to run a stock sidemount with my Big 16G at 22psi daily and 19 degrees of timing with about 3-5 counts of knock in moderately cool 70 degree weather. I currently run a Dejon unit and the same timing on pump gas at 25 psi in the winter and 23-24 in the summer and it's fine.

Just make sure you install larger than stock lower pipes from RRE and an oversize j-pipe. As a final measure, you can also consider methanol injection in the future to spray before the intercooler and after. Overall though, the Dejon unit was an excellent upgrade and I bought mine used so shop around. It's been good enough for 12.50's at almost 108 and there's more tuning to be done so have at it. You'll find it a worthy upgrade.

Hope that helps,

Andy