are HUGE intercoolers needed?

[Black95TSIawd]

Lots of peeps on this forum are always saying that bigger is better, and i understand that but a lot of these kits out there seem TOO big. I think the johnny racecar kit is a decent kit but a lot have knocked it. I also think something like the SBR huge 2g kit is wayyy too big. Take a look at the pic i attached. The intercooler is very small compared to other peeps sportin huge kits that cover the entire 1g front bumper. That car has made 462whp on a green with that intercooler. 460 to the wheels is in the range of a green so it doesnt sound like that small core is holding him back. My question is, are HUGE cores needed, or is it more of just a "measuring" contest? (Just trying to start up a good intercooler thread, no hatred or finger pointing at anyone or any vendor.)

 

[suicidal2af]

Lots of peeps on this forum are always saying that bigger is better, and i understand that but a lot of these kits out there seem TOO big. I think the johnny racecar kit is a decent kit but a lot have knocked it. I also think something like the SBR huge 2g kit is wayyy too big. Take a look at the pic i attached. The intercooler is very small compared to other peeps sportin huge kits that cover the entire 1g front bumper. That car has made 462whp on a green with that intercooler. 460 to the wheels is in the range of a green so it doesnt sound like that small core is holding him back. My question is, are HUGE cores needed, or is it more of just a "measuring" contest? (Just trying to start up a good intercooler thread, no hatred or finger pointing at anyone or any vendor.)

I'm inclined to agree with you. Lots of people on here are running cores that dwarf shep's...doesn't seem like it would be doing much good running a bigger core with 1/3 of the hp, but hey, who knows.

 

[onepimpclipse]

They sure do look sexy though. Soooooooo hot, want to touch the hinne.

 

[MoodyTalon]

Do you think mine is too big? When I purchased my FMIC, one thing I was looking for was for it to fill up the middle opening of my bumper. I love the way it looks, as that was the look I was going for. Also, I have a big enough intercooler to support any type of turbo set up that I have planned for the future.

 

[EclipseOwner95]

Wow that thing is ####ing massive , it sure does look good tho

 

[Boiler2]

Check mine. I also got to keep the fog lights. I do agree that people are running more FMIC than they need, but no upgrading needed when the turbo is swapped for a larger one.

 

[Lunch_Box]

I'm inclined to agree with you. Lots of people on here are running cores that dwarf shep's...doesn't seem like it would be doing much good running a bigger core with 1/3 of the hp, but hey, who knows.

What size of core is shep running?

 

[Black95TSIawd]

this is a quote from bushcur racing. Shep runs this core i believe, "This kit is essentially the same as our standard fmic kit, but the intercooler core is much larger @ 28\" x 10.5\" x 3.5\"." He does have a bigger core still smaller then some people running 30" and wider cores. Then again, he has some 900 or more wheel hp. I always here, "its big enough so if i upgrade i dont need to replace." Well, does everyone plan on running 900whp so they get intercoolers that big?

 

[bigjdog84]

I wouldn't really call SBR's that big, its a street core w/huge endtanks, it works well. I have the race core that IRC and companies alike use and it works great, not too much pressure loss and its not going to heatsoak. A smaller intercooler has more of a tendency to heatsoak quicker but the pressure loss on a decent smaller core will be less then the pressure loss on a decent bigger core. Alot of these cheapo FMIC's out on ebay etc. use shit cores and even though they are huge they don't do a good job cooling or restrict flow.
Whose to say that guy couldn't have hit better numbers on a larger core? Guess we'll never know
I believe Shep is running a 216 core w/forced performance endtanks (ie; fp intercooler) i know FP has something in the endtanks to direct air rather then just a couple of peices of sheetmetal welded into a box.

 

[98spydert]

Lots of peeps on this forum are always saying that bigger is better, and i understand that but a lot of these kits out there seem TOO big. I think the johnny racecar kit is a decent kit but a lot have knocked it. I also think something like the SBR huge 2g kit is wayyy too big. Take a look at the pic i attached. The intercooler is very small compared to other peeps sportin huge kits that cover the entire 1g front bumper. That car has made 462whp on a green with that intercooler. 460 to the wheels is in the range of a green so it doesnt sound like that small core is holding him back. My question is, are HUGE cores needed, or is it more of just a "measuring" contest? (Just trying to start up a good intercooler thread, no hatred or finger pointing at anyone or any vendor.)

A lot of people knock the JRC core even though we don't know ANY numbers for it besides measurements and price (yeah I'm defending it, cause I love mine and the 20psi/22degrees timing I run with in on 91 oct ).

A lot of people also buy their intercooler partly for what they NEED and mostly for what it will look like cause we all know they look sick, especially filling up the front bumper. Then other people spend the money based on the fact that they want a hassle free bolt on kit. I personnaly wouldln't pay $1000 for a kit that bolts on when I don't need that much IC and don't mind making my own pipes. Too each there own I guess...

 

[MigTalon]

If you want to get BIG horsepower gains do the right thing for the first time...

here's mine:

 

[DSMTurbos]

compare the flow numbers of the spearco 2-216 to the 2-120. I made over 500whp on the 120 and plan to make 600 on the same core. Bigger isn't always better or needed

 

[98spydert]

If you want to get BIG horsepower gains do the right thing for the first time...

For the guys running 16Gs and such, BIG horsepower gains aren't going to be found in the biggest intercooler.

Properly sized/styled intercoolers to a specific application will yield the biggest gains.

 

[Stapl3]

For back to back racing or autox, you need a decent sized one.

For daily driving and occasional drag race, take a look at Sheps and understand larger is a waste.

 

[MigTalon]

For the guys running 16Gs and such, BIG horsepower gains aren't going to be found in the biggest intercooler.

Properly sized/styled intercoolers to a specific application will yield the biggest gains.

sure... it has to be match with the turbo flow capacity (cfm), the intercooler pipes, etc.

For people running 16G's Big FMIC is not so necesary like those running big turbos. But if your future plans are to get BIG HP... go Big for the firt time.

Go for the right intercooler depending your applications... mine is for daily driven (with a/c and p/s) and sometimes for drag racing.

 

[BluemeanieTSi]

For back to back racing or autox, you need a decent sized one.
For daily driving and occasional drag race, take a look at Sheps and understand larger is a waste.

the cooling of a core at 150mph is a lot more than someone running that core at the strip at only 100mph

 

[JiveMasterT]

it depends on the size of the turbo you have and the amount of boost you are running. my stock intercooler is fine for my little tiny t25, and when i go to the track, i bring a bottle of water and poke a hole in it. after each run i soak it.

now if you are running a monster turbo, then chances are you should run a monster intercooler.

 

[1fast97gsx]

whoever said it was the size that made the intercooler? All the people running large cores generally run ones that flow well and have decent pressure drop numbers as well. Why get a "small" fmic and have to upgrade it again down the road when you can just do it right the first time.

my lil core

 

[Mirage2LTurbo]

For back to back racing or autox, you need a decent sized one.

For daily driving and occasional drag race, take a look at Sheps and understand larger is a waste.

Because he would make more power on a smaller core.

A larger core isn't going to make as much pressure drop as some think over a smaller one. Do it right the first time, get the biggest one you can afford and fit.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Mirage2LTurbo]

I hafta also say something like this is just plain ridiculous ... and I think it looks retarded. Only acceptable if this car has 700+ hp.

It's all about pressure drop, flow, and cooling. How big it is is a matter of asthetics. I'll give you a smaller core that will outflow and cool better than a much larger one.

 

[1fast97gsx]

It's all about pressure drop, flow, and cooling. How big it is is a matter of asthetics. I'll give you a smaller core that will outflow and cool better than a much larger one.

agreed ... thats what I was trying to say a few posts up actually.

 

[trbotaln]

Do you guys think that A supra sidemount intercooler will hold up okay to a evo 3 16g. I see you guys have massive intercoolers but will I need something that big?

 

[JiveMasterT]

Do you guys think that A supra sidemount intercooler will hold up okay to a evo 3 16g. I see you guys have massive intercoolers but will I need something that big?

yeah, thats fine. thats all you need. even better if you want the sleeper effect

 

[2gGSX]

Do you guys think that A supra sidemount intercooler will hold up okay to a evo 3 16g. I see you guys have massive intercoolers but will I need something that big?

Yes, a Supra SMIC can support an evo 3 16g fine.

 

[sunflashx]

On a 1g the larger cores also have the added bonus of not blocking flow to the radiator with the end tanks. I've seen people report that their cars run cooler switching from the standard 1g style "street core" to the "race core".

I'm not sure how the fit is on a 2g.