Opinions on Treadstone Vertical Flow FMIC

[240shorty]

EDIT: I changed my mind already. My application needs more temperature drop than flow potential, so I'm going to go with a horizontal. Cheaper, longer channels for more cooling, almost as good flow. I'm glad we had this discussion.

http://www.treadstoneintercoolers.com/site_images/opp252.JPG

Specs:
Overall: 29.00" X 12.50" X 3.50"
Core:25.00" X 6.00" X 3.50"
Inlet outlet size: 3
CFM rating, @.5psi pressure drop: 1476
CFM rating, @2psi pressure drop: 1980

Unsure of efficiency rating. This one runs about $450. Do you think this will fit an s14 without interfering with the frame rails and headlights? Or will the high pipe routing on the one side cause fitment problems?

Worth it?

-Steve

[wootwoot]

From my understanding that style would cool better and have less of a pressure drop then "traditional" FMIC type cores. But fitment could be somewhat difficult. This is what I want to do though

[240shorty]

Less pressure drop for sure. This company actually lists their pressure drops in the useful way. Pressure drop in PSI @ a certain flow rate in CFM's. These definitely flow more CFMs at the same pressure drop than comparably sized horizontals.

However, I would expect the shorter passages to mean slightly less cooling efficiency. I don't know for sure. Cost wise, they are almost double in price, so they must offer some benefits. I just read an explanation stating that on a long horizontal core, the cooling effect is greatly diminished as the air cools, so extra length won't provide a significant change. By the time it gets toward the end it has cooled about as much as it is going to anyway.

I just ordered a midsized horizontal from them. It is rated .5 psi drop @ 760 CFM's. Considering I'm only running about 350 to 400 cfm's it should be more than enough for me at this point. Maybe I'll try a vertical on my Mustang whenever I finish it.