Anybody have experiences with an Alamo SMIC, Dejon Tool or ADFX SMIC?

[onegee]

Basically I have two choices b/w upgraded sidemounts.

I found a great deal on an alamo sidemount which is a directbolt on. And I also found a great deal for an adfx smic from Martin Ruiz at thespeedfactor.com . Price b/w each is about 50 dollars.

Now my dilema is ive read quite a bit of threads about the Alamo having POOR heat transfer. Is that because of the bar and plate design? The adfx is a tube and fin from what i've read. Was that just an exageration of how bad the alamo heatsoaks? I'm just looking for the best SMIC choice. If the dejontool or adfx is a better choice i'll opt for those.

This is my street car, I dont want a fmic, Biggest turbo i'll get is POSSIBLY a tdo5 20g but more than likely an E316G. So i'm set on a sidemount for all those going to inqure about FMIC .

So Im looking for anybody that has had experiences with either sidemount? Most of the other threads were VERY old.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Hercules]

I've used the alamo in a '91 with a big 16g. It is a nice upgrade over the stock, but will heat soak if run hard for any period. Mine was quite hot after running the 1/4 mile, but I was running 20-21psi.
There were 2 versions of the Alamo unit. Early ones had inlets and outlets that were basically stock size and are not much better than stock. The good ones were the later versions which had 2" piping in and 2.5" outlet pipe. The Alamo also came with a 2" lower intercooler hard pipe from the turbo, which is a nice bonus, not sure about your other intercooler. I can tell you that for $50 you can't go wrong. Just make sure the intercooler you choose has larger inlet and outlet. 2" min inlet and 2.5" outlet. Even better, 2.5 in and out.

 

[onegee]

Oh sorry if I wasn't clear, $50 in price b/w the alamo and adfx... I wish it was only 50 dollars.

The guy said it was 2.25 in and out I believe? Ill have him measure it. Now was the heatsoak because it was a bar and plate design? Or does that have nothing to do with it? I've read quite a few on the differences but am still a bit shaky.

THANKS for the input alot. Its greatly appreciated.

 

[Hercules]

I really think the heatsoak issue is really because of the lack of enough airflow in its current position. Its a lot thicker unit, but the frontal size is about the same, so while it will stay cool longer than a stocker, there just isn't enough air flowing on the side to cool.
I put on a starion front mount. Now its overall size is actually a little smaller than the alamo sidemount, but because there is more surface area exposed to air flow, it works better than the alamo side mount...it does not heaksoak, the outlet is always cool even after a hard run, and I picked up 3/10's and over 3mph over the alamo side mount.
So, bottom line is the alamo is a very good upgrade over stock and will be fine for most every street run you will have, unless you're running hard for a long period in hot temps.
BTW, front mounts do have there own problems, mainly its keeping the engine cool because of the airflow restriction to the radiator.

 

[onegee]

Thanks again for the reply. The guy said they were stock outlet sizes. I'm still debating wether or not its a major upgrade worth the 3bills for it. I got a line on the ADFX sidemount for $365.

Appreciate your comments. pz

 

[Hercules]

If the intercooler has the stock outlet size pipes, pass, its the old style and is not much better than stock. The 2nd gen alamo unit not only had larger inlet and outlets but also a better core...I've run up to 20psi on pump gas on mine before with min. knock in cool weather.
You know, Shepard ran 11's on a modded stock side mount, basically what Dejon offers. I feel that is the best bang for the buck for an upgrade and would go that way, unless I found a supra sidemount for cheap. The Dejon modded stock intercooler with the larger pipe from the turbo to the intercooler ( I assume you already have an upgraded upper intercooler pipe) would be the route I would go over a larger sidemount with stock size outlets.

 

[jsicfy]

What kinda Crank HP are people making on a moded side mout such as the dejon. Also has anyone tried making ducting around the I/C. This will help force the air through the I/C. Also has anyone experimented with coatings that help expell heat from the I/C.

 

[truwarrior]

I'm more intrested in if anyone measures the temp entering the manifold.

 

[pneumo]

I also had the more modern version of the Alamo sidemount. It's a heavy, compact core, so it works good as a heatsink. If you do a WOT run when it's cool you'll get some nice power. Once it heatsoaks ( which doesn't take much) it takes many miles of easy driving to cool it down again. At 6 inches thick, cooling air has a tough time getting through the core, and the air gets warm by the time it reaches the backside of the core. It's not all bad. If I felt the UICP after a drag race it would be quite warm to touch, maybe 130 degrees. Not bad for running a big 16G at 24 psi.

Good air ducting helps. I even built a little plastic flap that extended below the bumper to pull in more air. Then I added an IC sprayer hooked up to the rear washer resevior. Then I gave up and got a hugh-jass FMIC, cuz I needed more power!