Intercooler thread just has me confused

[BigChief]

After reading through the entire thread (over the course of days) I’m still not sure what to do it if the choice even matters since anything is better than the stock unit.

I know what brands to go with but the question I have is about pressure loss on the taller FMIC’s and if it’s a factor or not. Some say they feel it and others do not. Some say you don’t need the taller inter coolers if you stay with the stock turbo and some say you do.

I live in FL, so it’s hot most of the year. I’ll be keeping the stock turbo. Eventually I’ll be doing a Cobb AP and tune by Tune+. I like to drive in a spirited manner.

That being said should I go with one like CPE or mishimoto that fills the stock location or one like ETS or Levels that are bigger FMIC’s?

Sponsored

 

[Weather Man]

This is my CPE installed with no tune. I just wanted a better intercooler and keep my warranty. Car was fully warmed up and 5 runs made. Swapped the intercooler and another 5 runs made. It really shows how badly the stocker heat soaks. Good luck with your decision!

 

[offcamber]

Nice data by Weather Man.

BigChief, I don’t think you can make a big mistake with any reputable aftermarket intercooler. The concept and design is simple.
If you do a lot of highway driving then it’s easier to maximize the taller cooler’s efficiency.
I went with a stock fit Mountune that’s much deeper like Mishimoto. It was a great decision. No heat soak.

 

[Interceptor]

Welcome to the internet!

 

[BigChief]

Welcome to the internet!

Exactly!

 

[Chef jpd]

ANYTHING is better than the stock POS.
Being in Florida, bigger will be better.
And once you go tuned, you will be amazed.

 

[Darkstar]

I haven't had any heat soak with my Garrett IC and it's a direct replacement. If were building big power or spending a lot of time on the track, I might have gone bigger but this has been great for all my backroad driving.

 

[BigChief]

This is my CPE installed with no tune. I just wanted a better intercooler and keep my warranty. Car was fully warmed up and 5 runs made. Swapped the intercooler and another 5 runs made. It really shows how badly the stocker heat soaks. Good luck with your decision!

I’m having a hard time interpreting this data sheet.

 

[DropTopBob]

Welcome to the internet!

Please be professional here. The correct term is either “internets” or “interweb”
Carry on

 

[Weather Man]

I’m having a hard time interpreting this data sheet.

What is confusing you BigChief?

 

[solodogg]

If you're planning on staying with the stock turbo, stay with a drop-in replacement model. Bigger units will have more pressure drop, and the stock turbo will struggle to keep the same amount of boost while filling that volume.

Mishimoto IC on my EB was by far the best bolt-on mod I've done to any boosted car I've owned. The stock IC really struggles in the humid summers down here. Based on my own seat of the pants feeling (as well as Weather Man's data above), the drop-in units have very few negatives down low only adding a slight lag due to increased volume, but large benefits up top in the rev's. Some of the larger units will have a bit more lag and lower power down low, while not providing much additional cooling over the smaller replacement units.

Ultimately, anything is better than stock, and you really can't go wrong. Throw the stock in the trash ASAP and get something else in there.

 

[BigChief]

What is confusing you BigChief?

I guess I’m focusing too much On the highlighted numbers. Is it showing that there’s more hp and tq at every rpm with the FMIC?

 

[Weather Man]

I guess I’m focusing too much On the highlighted numbers. Is it showing that there’s more hp and tq at every rpm with the FMIC?

If it has a (-) in front, it lost HP compared to stock. I got a little happy with the red and colored a few that should have stayed black. It is interesting that the stock tune clamped down on the cooler air down low and then let the extra ponies run free.

 

[BigChief]

If it has a (-) in front, it lost HP compared to stock. I got a little happy with the red and colored a few that should have stayed black. It is interesting that the stock tune clamped down on the cooler air down low and then let the extra ponies run free.

So the black numbers (or any numbers without a - next to them) are gains over stock?

So if I’m reading this correctly you’re “gaining” hp and tq over the stock setup by just adding an intercooler, even without a tune since the computer is pulling timing due to heat with the stock intercooler. Especially past 4-4500k.

 

[Weather Man]

So the black numbers (or any numbers without a - next to them) are gains over stock?

So if I’m reading this correctly you’re “gaining” hp and tq over the stock setup by just adding an intercooler, even without a tune since the computer is pulling timing due to heat with the stock intercooler. Especially past 4-4500k.

Correct, did 5 pulls stock, changed intercooler, then another 5 pulls. The stock intercooler gets worse with each pull and the CPE has no trouble. In the real world doing street pulls with the CPE, intercooler and ambient are usually within 1 or 2 degrees, was never able to heat soak the CPE (stock tune and turbo).

Sponsored