Cheap Intercoolers...

[stu0x]

Right I\'m pretty new at this so bear with me. My FD is pretty much standard in terms of horsepower (induction kit, exhaust, and a power fc to go in soon), and it will almost certainly stay that way for insurance purposes and because I prefer sequentials to a big single. Living in London, I get more than enough oomph to make it to the next traffic jam/set of lights.

I\'ve currently got a stock intercooler, which I was thinking of replacing. A quick look on Ebay (I know, I know) and I\'ve found an Amemiya intercooler kit, used (and not a bit dirty) for £400 + shipping. However I\'ve also found a cheaper "XSPower" intercooler kit for £200, which is bigger than the Amemiya item. Both include the pipes etc for fitting.

Now I know the Amemiya kit is going to be a better quality item, but is it really going to be twice as good, old v new? Surely even the cheap one is going to be considerably better than the stock intercooler? Or am I letting myself in for all sorts of grief if I go the cheap option? Any advice appreciated.

For anyone interested the items are here  and here

[davegttph1]

Hi, Looked at both these units myself and for the price Im sticking with standard. The problem with the rex is air flow IMO.... the std IC isnt good enough but a bigger IC in the same position is no more useful as the stock set up.... if anything it could be worse for heat soak..... Thats my conclusion anyhow.... for the extra Id be more interested in sorting out a FMIC and radiator....

[Kieron]

FMIC from rotary extreme is very good value, Greddy 2 row for stock twins with Greddy elbow $1200 about £700ish

[stu0x]

What exactly does it do to be "good value" at over 3x the price of the cheaper one?

[davegttph1]

The fact that its a FMIC it\'ll sit in your front bumper and get better airflow hence providing more cooling making it safer to run more boost and produce more power etc..... If you look at where the std set up gets its air flow from its not hard to see why the standard set up isnt very effective and if you stuck something bigger there its not going to make much difference unless you improve the flow IMO......

the best and cheapest way of reducing the air temps would be to fit Water Injection.

[Sy.]

even cheaper then that ...

Greddy 2 Row for Stock Twin Turbo and Stock Elbow
For 15 psi or less. Comes with piping for stock Y-pipe and Greddy elbow - $975

but 15psi is about 1 bar ... do you know if they do one which is 20psi ..

[Sy.]

where do you get water injection .. and how much ?

And doesnt having the FMIC restrict the flow of air to the rad ?? making water temps hotter

[davegttph1]

well... WI can be had from many places, WGT supply and fit them, ERL and/or Aquamist make good quality kits but you can get cheaper, about £350 I would estimate. Should see big drops on the intake temps.

and yes a FMIC does restrict the flow to the rad so you\'ll see higher water temps although IIRC some of the FMIC kits are designed to give good flow and the rad will need repositioning.

If theres anything Ive learned from modifying cars is that unless you know what your doing and/or can afford to fix it if it goes wrong dont skimp on buying the cheaper stuff , it\'ll only cost you more in the long run, even if its at the point where you decide this has done nowt good for you and end up buying something more expensive anyhow. if you NEED to reduce the ACT then go with water injection as a budget otherwise go for a proper FMIC or Vmount ignoring cost (too an extent )

[Kieron]

even cheaper then that ...

Greddy 2 Row for Stock Twin Turbo and Stock Elbow
For 15 psi or less. Comes with piping for stock Y-pipe and Greddy elbow - $975

but 15psi is about 1 bar ... do you know if they do one which is 20psi ..

Add shipping onto that and customs and you\'ll come up with $1250  :yes

[BlitzBoy]

Well the RE-A item on E-Bay is still much better over stock as it is a 3 row item plus it comes with the metal heat shield, but I agree with the guys by the time you have paid for shipping from Japan you would have paid just under £500 plus you might get stung for duty as well.

But a lot of Guys in the US use Huge uprated SMIC with good results as they shield and tunnel the cold air efficiently to them.

So all depends if your plans in future is to keep the twin turbo setup, if you have any feeling you might go Single in the future get a chargecooler or FMIC now and be done with it

[ScuttleRX]

You shouldnt get stung for duty as its a used item isnt it? Just got some bits from japan with no duty to pay which made a nice change

[Sy.]

Kieron - what a noobie mistact by myself !!

Dave - cheers for the info