Big FMIC or little FMIC?????

[dadadadadada]

Will I gain or lose any power if i install a big ic in my car w/out a big turbo or a huge amount of power? I am wondering because I have read a lot of guys saying "My car isn't ready for a bigger intercooler" I don't want to have to upgrade my ic again so would it be ok to put a big intercooler in my car or should i just upgrade as my car gains more power?

 

[VelocitàPaola]

The biggest downside to a large FMIC is the pressure drop, so you may neet to boost a little higher to compensate for it (it's usually along the lines of 1-2psi).

A large FMIC can grow with your car as you mod it, but the small one might eventually restrict it. Know your goals for the car and base your decision off of that.

 

[larsenracing]

Id say go with a smaller one you can always upgrade if needed. You get pressure drop but you also have to fill that extra intercooler when coming from no boost into boost so there is spool time involved.

 

[Dream On]

Do it right the first time, get what you would want in the end. Save money.

 

[92_laser]

I advise getting a "medium" sized intercooler, bar and plate design... As stated above there is a little more turbo lag with a large intercooler. What are your goals? The answer to that question will greatly help you decide what size to buy.
Eric

 

[titogs95]

Also, by installing a large FMIC might give you overheating issues. so, you might need better Fans or better air flow by the Front bumper (instaling some vents or trimming). Also, the FMIC might get heatsoaked as well...

 

[Raph]

heatsoak on a fmic? it never gets past 98 degrees here soo..

 

[ericbev]

Like stated above, it really depends on what he plans on doing with the car down the road.

 

[oldman]

Do it right the first time, get what you would want in the end. Save money.

Like stated above, it really depends on what he plans on doing with the car down the road.

Get one that will fit your final goal.

 

[Ultimatedsm]

Turbo-lag from intercoolers depends on your intercooler piping route. if you have a shorter route, less lag. The actual core itself doesn't make much of a difference in the lag, its your piping. If you will never see over 350HP, go with something like a 18.5X6x2.5, if you plan to go 400-450 go with a 22x9x3 more than that, 26x12x3. Those are core sizes I am talking about just to let you know without the endtanks. I personally have a 14B with a FMIC (26x12x3) with a short route piping and to be honest, I don't feel any extra lag and thats from personal experience. For radiator heat issues, you can put a radiator cap thats higher in pressure (1.3 BAR) and that will solve any over heating problems. My temps were around 213F with the FMIC install, with the cap, it dropped to 190F. I hope that helps you out, so don't worry about going a little big, it helps in the long run and plus the lag difference is almost non-existant if you know how to route your piping. And about your FMIC heat soaking, unless its like over 130F and your are running ridiculous amount of boost maybe , it is really rare to heat soak a FMIC specially when your core is large.

 

[motoman358]

I was just wondering how you saw lower temps in changing your radiator cap? I am in the motocross scene and cooling is a very important part of an engine that sees a fairly constant 9-13 thousand rpm's. From what I have gathered from people using higher pressure caps in motocross is that they do not directly cool your radiator/coolant temps, they only raise the boiling point of the fluid that you have in your radiator (due to the higher pressure) so that it does not dump into your overflow (or on the ground as the case would be on a motocross bike) and run your cooling system short on coolant. So I am assuming that the reason that you actually saw a change in your coolant temps from a cap change would be from actually having the proper coolant level or ambient temps. were cooler. Restricting radiator flow with a large intercooler can be a big problem as stated above, so make sure that if you go with a large intercooler you are prepared to possibly make some cooling system improvements. Your cooling system may be plenty, I am not saying this to scare you out of picking up a large intercooler, your cooling system may be just fine depending on age and maintenance, I just want to make sure that you are prepared to possibly make other mods to go along with your intercooler.

 

[Ultimatedsm]

I am going to add, you can to another thing if the cap doesn't work, get a thermostat that operates at 185F. I know a lot of FMIC that have done this and helped significantly. If that doesn't work, its time for a racing radiator . However, I know it won't go that far.

 

[exiletalon]

you really need to include more information about your goals, your present and future plans- are you draging, autoX, high performance street car?- if your aiming for a street, or AutoX then i would get the small, or maybe a medium- considering your lag time being a large deal- though if your drag racing- just go with the large- up the boost for now until you get a larger turbo to keep up.- please include adequate information

 

[Ultimatedsm]

you really need to include more information about your goals, your present and future plans- are you draging, autoX, high performance street car?- if your aiming for a street, or AutoX then i would get the small, or maybe a medium- considering your lag time being a large deal- though if your drag racing- just go with the large- up the boost for now until you get a larger turbo to keep up.- please include adequate information

Larger intercooler will not increase lag, if it does, it isn't noticeable at all. However, if your intercooler pipe route is too long then yes, you will feel the lag difference. If you route your pipes short, then you will not even feel or see the difference in lag. Trust me, I know, I have a huge FMIC with a short route and lag is still the same.

 

[exiletalon]

Larger intercooler will not increase lag, if it does, it isn't noticeable at all. However, if your intercooler pipe route is too long then yes, you will feel the lag difference. If you route your pipes short, then you will not even feel or see the difference in lag. Trust me, I know, I have a huge FMIC with a short route and lag is still the same.

im going off of my expereince- i purchased a large FMIC for AUTOX and i did run long route piping, and it did affect my lag time- so i down graded to a smaller FMIC and kept the pipes and i run good again- i agree with you.

 

[ericbev]

A very informative read on all the workings of intercoolers.

http://www.are.com.au/techtalk/intecoolersMR.htm

 

[orangeblue]

That site has a lot of good info.

 

[dadadadadada]

My goal (in the end) is to have a drag car. So it seems that i should go with a big FMIC and short pipes for no lag, right?

 

[VelocitàPaola]

My goal (in the end) is to have a drag car. So it seems that i should go with a big FMIC and short pipes for no lag, right?

That sounds ideal for your goals.

 

[dadadadadada]

thx guys, great info.