Shortpersonbk

So after lots of searching on here and on google i have failed.

What is the largest intercooler core you guys have managed to fit size wise so far on a NA miata?


I see fab9 has a core rated to 550hp and i took note of the sizes (30"x9.25"x3.25" with end tanks) but i would like something a bit larger if possible. This will be my fall back plan worst to worst.

Other companys all seem to be in the 350hp range rating wise.

Most of my searches have only led to small ebay cores, or just small cores in general neither i am interested in running. I just need sizes as i will most likely end up buying one of the many options through treadstone or someone else with a good rep for a solid intercooler.

Schuyler

iTrader: (1)

Understand that a larger intercooler isn't always a better one. The quality of an intercooler, with regards to the design and density of the fins, can make major differences.

Alternative

The Fab9 550hp IC is HUGE for a miata, i dont know that you could physically fit much more. (On a different platforms I have made substantially more on smaller IC's) The Fab9 is really just a Vibrant IC with mounting tabs welded on, you should be able to find more information from the Honda/Mitsu crowd.

Shortpersonbk

Im aware that bigger isnt always better im just looking for dimensions that will somewhat fit so i have somewhere to work from. Like i said most likely i will be purchasing a treadstone core. This is for a 68mm turbo 2jz miata so i will be making use of the core i am not just trying to shove a giant core under for scene points lol. What brand core were you using that were smaller that worked well for a bit more power?

Alternative

What is a 700hp miata good for besides scene points? A 2JZ one at that.

Shortpersonbk

To have fun? To go to the track? To enjoy building? Idk....no need to get off topic though.

psyber_0ptix

iTrader: (4)

These aren't tall cars, the nose narrows quite a bit to the front, the only thing I can imagine to gain a bit more space and depth is a V-mount or 7-mount setup.


maybe look into a water/air intercooler?

18psi

iTrader: (76)

When I tuned G's 330whp miata with the treadstone core his IAT's barely even moved
I'm sure it can easily support 500-600. Likely way more before it really chokes.

Those are the biggest that fit without hacking off the front and going tubular

Shortpersonbk

What exact core was it?



This is a couple inches taller then fab 9s that fits but is of similar thickness and width so it makes me wonder if this would work with some cutting.
TR12C Intercooler 760HP- TREADSTONE PERFORMANCE

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

On my NB I got a 20x12x3 core bar/plate intercooler to fit, though I had to modify the sheet metal on the car a bit to clear the intercooler pipes where they exit the end tanks. With a GT3271 at 28 PSI, air temps were 40 over ambient after running through the gears.

I run a new version of the same one now with 28 PSI on a SC, and air temps are about 60*F over ambient after a 0-95mph pull including a burnout and launch control before the start.

Shortpersonbk

40 and 60 over seem like alot....on my sti we were seeing 2x degree jumps and i wasnt very happy and neither was my tuner.

But i like that you fit a 12 inch tall one gives me alot of hope for fitting the larger threadstone core. I think ill just purchase that worst to worst ill take it off and put it on my sti maybe it will fit better under my bumper then my current one.

greddygalant

iTrader: (3)

Without the crash bar I had a stock evo 8 IC in mine, I forget the dimensions but it covers up almost the entirety of the radiator

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

I was running 28 PSI in both cases, 40 with a turbo, 60 with a supercharger.

Faeflora

iTrader: (2)

That's ******* horrible

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

Supercharger makes all the heat. Not much I can do about that. Still I run E85 so it doesn't really matter, I don't have to pull any timing or anything.

bbundy

Isn't the Fab 9 one just a Vibrant? I'm using the same size Vibrant seems to work well for me don't have problems with high intake air temps even running 18-19psi a little over 400 hp running laps on the track. barely over ambient. Coolant temps still tend to start climb a little at about 20 minutes of solid flogging but not intake.

bbundy

are these the same? I thought mounting mine was pretty simple. I welded on a couple threaded bosses on the top and hung it from the core support off existing holes. fits perfectly sealed to the stock plastic bumper air guide almost like it was intentionally designed to fit that way.
Summit Vibrant
Vibrant Performance Air-to-Air Intercoolers 12810 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

Fab 9
Fab9 Intercooler Stage 1

Savington

iTrader: (31)

Fab9 welds tabs onto Vibrant ICs.

Sealing the IC to the mouth is just about the worst thing you can do for airflow. Most intercooler setups I see do it this way, and it's 100% wrong. BTDT. Radiator needs fresh air, and the only way to do that is to make the IC shorter (and fatter to maintain flow rate), then use a core design with turbulators (i.e. not Vibrant or anything from eBay) to improve efficiency and maintain low IATs with the smaller core. The painful realization is that nobody makes an intercooler that's correctly dimensioned for this application, yet. Ours will be.

Alternative

What everyone is accomplishing by this is a pressure differential, to have ANY airflow you need a pressure differential. If you allow higher pressure air around the intercooler you will have little/no airflow through the intercooler.

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

I mostly agree with Sav. But Alternative, you are right about the pressure diff of course. But I've tested probably 20 different setups, and sealing the intercooler to the mouth DOES give me the best AITs, but the car would overheat under any real load (barely was ok at cruise on the highway...)

While my AITs are not ideal, I run all the boost with a SC that's just not as efficient as a turbo. But I have clean air going right to my radiator. My intercooler sits up high, so I have clean air that goes under it and around it on both sides. All shrouding seals the bumper inlet to the radiator. And I have the most powerful 12" fans SPAL sells. Car runs thermostat under all conditions. A/C condenser in the trunk so it's not obstructing airflow and adding heat to the front heat exchangers.

Only pic I have of front end, but you can kind of see there is plenty of open area for air to go straight to the radiator.