Next cooling question - SMIC vs. FMIC

[Rittmeister]

Searched this one too... results were almost as varied as the e-fan vs. clutch fan debate.

Setup is:

Redtop SR
S15 turbo
Tomei 555 injectors
Z32 MAF

Koyo Rad, Nismo T-stat, big oil pan, AC still in the car and functional. Current intercooler is the good old Greddy VSPL front-mount.

Tuned on a PowerFC for 15 psi. I usually run it at 10 psi. At 15, it made 291hp at the wheels.

I'm wondering if switching to a side-mount might not be a good idea, from a cooling standpoint. Just how much intercooler efficiency would I lose, and how much heat-soak would a SMIC be prone to? Also, would it really introduce that much more cooling capacity?

I'm thinking about an S15 or ARC sidemount, not the stock S13 unit. I'd also have to cut a vent in my bumper, as I have a Silvia Q's bumper right now.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[soreballz]

Side mounts don't necessarily suffer from heat soak issues. Its more of an "it takes a long time to get to China in a row boat issue", aka, they're inefficient due to their size and placement.

The S15 and ARC sidemounts are far better than the stock S13 and S14 sidemounts, as I'm sure you know, but they're not too useful past 300whp. Since you usually run it at 10 psi (250-260ish whp, maybe?), you should be fine switching to a sidemount.

I dunno. You already have a front mount... I'd stick with it.


(Excuse me if my grammar is bad, or if my reasoning is not quite accurate. I've been drinking. lol)

[S14DB]

You can probably get more response from running a smaller FMIC. Like about half the height. Still will be about 2-3x the size of a SMIC.

Since you have all the FMIC piping I think it would be a waste of time to go back to a SMIC. A lot of piping changes.

[Rittmeister]

The smaller front-mount idea did occur to me. The Greddy is huge, and airflow from the bumper opening only goes through the bottom half. An intercooler that was about the size of the opening makes more sense and should work at least as well. It would also block less of the radiator. I may look into this - any recommendations on a particular unit?

Any other thoughts welcome.

[DreamN]

Mishimoto makes a nice sized unit for what you're looking for.

http://www.mishimoto.com/mishimoto-universal-intercooler-small.html

[S14DB]

Mishimoto makes a nice sized unit for what you're looking for.

Mishimoto Universal Intercooler Z Line, by Mishimoto (http://www.mishimoto.com/mishimoto-universal-intercooler-small.html)

28" x 7.5" x 2.5" is a nice size. I would get something with an offset inlet/outlet. Those look like they would dump into the crash bar. Also, it would be easier to work with the intercooler piping you have.

[Rittmeister]

I've been checking ebay, there are quite a few. I'd have to get long couplers or otherwise figure a way to extend the inlet/outlet on the IC, but it's do-able. There are several with the inlet/outlet towards the bottom, rather than centered.

On the other hand, the Mishimoto is available in black, and creating an S-curve in the piping to meet the centered fittings probably wouldn't be too difficult...

It's also, um, intriguing ;) how inexpensive a lot of these intercoolers are.

[S14DB]

It's about 4" narrower then the Greddy. So, just get 6" long couplers instead of the 4" long ones you have. Most of those sized FMICs are 2.5" inlet/outlets. Most of the Kit FMICs are 3" and have a reducer to go to the 2.5~2.75" piping.

Just get one of the offset ones and a foot of 2.5" hose and cut it in half.

[mishimoto]

I've been checking ebay, there are quite a few. I'd have to get long couplers or otherwise figure a way to extend the inlet/outlet on the IC, but it's do-able. There are several with the inlet/outlet towards the bottom, rather than centered.

On the other hand, the Mishimoto is available in black, and creating an S-curve in the piping to meet the centered fittings probably wouldn't be too difficult...

It's also, um, intriguing ;) how inexpensive a lot of these intercoolers are.

Just because our intercoolers are affordable doesn't mean they don't work. In fact, we're so confident in our products that we now offer a lifetime warranty on everything we produce :bigok:

[SidewayZ-s14]

Just because our intercoolers are affordable doesn't mean they don't work. In fact, we're so confident in our products that we now offer a lifetime warranty on everything we produce :bigok:

Doooo it! :)

[Rittmeister]

Just because our intercoolers are affordable doesn't mean they don't work. In fact, we're so confident in our products that we now offer a lifetime warranty on everything we produce :bigok:

I guess I came across wrong. I wasn't trying to say that the low price indicated lousy quality. All I've heard about Mishimoto cooling products has been good.

For that matter, the statement I made above wasn't even directed at Mishimoto in particular, but I can see how it might be taken that way.

Anyway, I'm thinking about a number of solutions. I even talked to Kuah at SPL; he seems to think a side mount would be OK at my boost/power level, but finding an S15 or ARC sidemount is no easy thing and I'm starting to think I don't want to re-do the piping, as mentioned above.

[mishimoto]

I guess I came across wrong. I wasn't trying to say that the low price indicated lousy quality. All I've heard about Mishimoto cooling products has been good.

For that matter, the statement I made above wasn't even directed at Mishimoto in particular, but I can see how it might be taken that way.

Anyway, I'm thinking about a number of solutions. I even talked to Kuah at SPL; he seems to think a side mount would be OK at my boost/power level, but finding an S15 or ARC sidemount is no easy thing and I'm starting to think I don't want to re-do the piping, as mentioned above.

No worries, thanks for clarifying and good luck finding the right part for your application!

[cemtoes]

I'd honestly just stick with the front mount. That's a whole bunch of work just for a probable down-grade in performance. I have a shorty Trust fmic core I'll trade ya ;) haha

[Rittmeister]

What's a "shorty Trust fmic core?"

[KoukiMonsta]

the idea of a smaller fmic seems like a good one. you dont rele need all that IC for the setup your running and redoing the pipes would be a hassle. if you can find something that is bassically "direct fit" try it out!

[hOngsterr]

Just because our intercoolers are affordable doesn't mean they don't work. In fact, we're so confident in our products that we now offer a lifetime warranty on everything we produce :bigok:

whaaa?

Purchase Includes: Mishimoto Intercooler, 1 Year Warranty
so im guessing its life time now right =]
lol