JasonC SBB

BTW I recently ran across an old article in SCC (A Silvia IIRC) where they mentioned getting a tube/fin core with a large frontal opening area, like the TDR, specifically to improve cooling.

m2cupcar

iTrader: (5)

frank - this ebay tubeNfin unit is practically a direct swap with the barNplate ebay cooler I now have (and fits w/o a/c mods).

If it were me building my setup from new, I'd go with the tubeNfin just in case- given the nature of cooling issues on a turbo Miata. Odds are, if it's reducing coolant temps tthen it's probably also improving the exhausting of hot air under the hood with greater flow through the radiator.

As it stands now, I can only create a rise in coolant temp when I come to stop after running hard (but the fan brings that down). But I'm sure that'd be different with a stock sized radiator.

m2cupcar

iTrader: (5)

Makes you wonder if a barNplate could be helped by putting a "wedge" on the front side of each tube.

fmowry

iTrader: (8)

I've got an older FM2 setup now but dang it must weigh 60 lbs and it has the all over the place piping. I do have a PWR rad and SPALs that came with the car and I installed, but the weight savings alone would be worth it for $140.

I always knew there was a reason the Suby STI came with a very light and smallish tube and fin and people seem to make great power with 'em tuned. Heat soak is only a problem at high boost, short bursts without speed limit cruisng to cool 'em back down.

Frank

cjernigan

iTrader: (13)

There is one company that uses cores that have rounded edges instead of square ones thought they are still bar&plate design allowing more laminar airflow.
Now just to find the link. Heck maybe it's BEGI.

JasonC SBB

The Silvia article in SCC I mentioned earlier talks about exactly that - some Japanese tuning company, may have been HKS.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

I find it interesting you bumped this thread, I was just reading through this thread last night. I have just purchased a new tube & fin intercooler to replace my current B&P....

hustler

iTrader: (6)

the ducting included in the kit is the magic.

BradC

iTrader: (6)

IIRC, it was Dave Coleman's project S13, and the FMIC in question was an Apex'i unit, such as - INTERCLER KIT-ECLPS 95-99 532KM02 by APEXi

They call it "Delta Fin"

m2cupcar

iTrader: (5)

There are now eBay/china copies of that design. At least they look like it on the outside. Wonder how it measures up compared to the tube/fin...

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

hey that's what I bought, i thought it was just tube and fin...

Intercooler 27 x 7 x 2.5 delta fin Miata RX-7 RX-8 GTI:eBay Motors (item 200360402212 end time Jul-08-09 11:44:43 PDT)

I'll examine it next week when it shows up.

levnubhin

iTrader: (30)

To bad the TDR IC cost like 8 times more then the average setup.
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hustler

iTrader: (6)

are begi intercoolers bar & plate? I've never looked into it.

BradC

iTrader: (6)

Hmmm....this looks much more "tube and fin" vs. the Apex'i unit, I wonder how it'll perform?

johnwag

iTrader: (3)

yes.

JasonC SBB

Any closeups of that Apexi ic's tubes?

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

They call it delta fin in the auction, when I purchased it and saw the picture i didn't think anything else but tube&fin. I'll kinda be pissed if I get a true delta fin, because I want tube and fin.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

It's a delta tube and fin, very light, very cool. each set of runners point inward so the airflow can easily make it's way into the channel.





This makes it more clear:

hustler

iTrader: (6)

needs more pc pro.

JasonC SBB

Nice!

If I were to nitpick, they shoulda done something similar for the charge air entries.