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-   -   Which intercooler? (https://www.miataturbo.net/diy-turbo-discussion-14/intercooler-40358/)

2k6750 10-19-2009 11:53 PM

Which intercooler?
 
Alright, so I've got a dilemma on my hands. First off I've got a Greddy kit already on the car. I have 2 intercoolers handy and don't know which to use. This one my friend gave me looks like alot of others I've seen here, but I don't have piping for it. I've also got a Starion intercooler that I have all the piping (Jim B) for I just need a few couplers. My big question is, which do you think will be better overall for cooling in the hot Florida summer (not my daily) Any place I can find a "kit" more or less and save time in buying piece by piece for the bigger one? What do you guys think I should do? Here's some pics of each. Not the greatest

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...9/PC270039.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...9/PC270037.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...9/PC270036.jpg

WonTon 10-19-2009 11:56 PM

me personally, i would go with the one you got in the first picture! as for the piping! DIY!

Full_Tilt_Boogie 10-20-2009 12:01 AM

go for the bigger one

18psi 10-20-2009 12:02 AM

I think the 2nd one would be more efficient since its a tube/fin and not bar/plate. just my .02

spapida 10-20-2009 04:02 AM

They look like they both might be tube and fin, weigh them. I bet the first one will fit in the OE bumber better and the inlet and outlet tubes look crazy small on the 2nd. Are the cross sections/volumes similiar?

How do you plan to mount either one? Fabricate brackets, tubes, etc. Its all in the details get all that ironed out first.

Braineack 10-20-2009 08:28 AM

Throw the Starion IC in the trash.

rrjwilson 10-20-2009 08:45 AM

Id feel more comfortable giving advice with dimensions on both cores but atm i would guess the longer tubed one as longer tubes tend to offer better cooling unless the taller option is vastly taller.

Braineack 10-20-2009 08:48 AM

It doesn't matter. the Starion IC is: 1. lame 2. poorly plumbed 3. restrictive. /thread

hustler 10-20-2009 08:57 AM

I may buy that little one off you if the price is right.

If you're not doing a proper v-mount, then get the huge one on there.

miataspeed2005 10-20-2009 09:22 AM

Use the starion one instead of a cheap eBay one. I'll bet anything you will see lower intake temperatures with the starion one

Braineack 10-20-2009 09:42 AM

Ask anyone who's ran a starion IC what their impressions were once they finally replaced it.

1slowna 10-20-2009 10:15 AM

^ Agreed, i used to have a dsm with a modified starion intercooler. Its an upgrade from a dsm side mount but not by alot. If it were me i would try to pick up a precision 350, they are well priced and work amazingly well. If you are on a very tight budget then use the ebay one you got.

2k6750 10-20-2009 08:17 PM

Thanks so much for the help guys. Looks like I better start collecting some pipes and couplers. Brain, I'll be needing a MS hopefully soon, as my funds are the main problem. In the meantime what WB 02 do you recommend and is there a site sponsor I could get it from? I have the car on jack stands and it's getting nicer out (South FL) so I hope to have the IC in soon. My friend welds so I'll be having him fab me a bracket. I'll get some measurements and inlet/outlet diameters when I get home tonight. Again thanks for the input everyone.

2k6750 10-20-2009 11:24 PM

So I saw something about Stripes I/C kit? Is he still selling them? I forgot I left the piping and ic's at work. I'll measure everything tomorrow.

1slowna 10-21-2009 11:53 AM

I prefer either the lc1 or the aem, the aem looks like shit and is the same price though so go with an lc1. whatever you do stay away form plx, i know some members have prolly had good luck with them but i have had terrible luck and have talked to others who had to send them back over and over as well. ( i know you were asking brain but i figured i would insert my 2 cents ) Brain probably has more experience with what works best but in my experience the lc1 is the most reliable and accurate WB on the market.

gospeed81 10-21-2009 11:55 AM


Originally Posted by 2k6750 (Post 471073)
So I saw something about Stripes I/C kit? Is he still selling them? I forgot I left the piping and ic's at work. I'll measure everything tomorrow.

I actually have a stripes pipes kit sitting in my attic.

I was planning on using it when I upgraded my intercooler...but I'm going the WI route now so my current one will work just fine.

PM me if interested. I also have a big intercooler that goes with it.

miataspeed2005 10-21-2009 12:13 PM


Originally Posted by Braineack (Post 470835)
Ask anyone who's ran a starion IC what their impressions were once they finally replaced it.

I don't know about flow but I have a starion now and I switch to an eBay one and was getting higher temperatures so I went back to my starion.

2k6750 10-22-2009 11:01 PM

Went by my friends house today and he had some aluminum piping he didnt need. Got a better pic of of the i/c and some of the piping. The silver 2" is what I had and black 2 1/4" is what he gave me. I'm pretty sure the red t/b pipe is 2" is this adequate? Anyway I think I might have all the piping I need, there's a few more 90's and 45's so all I need now is couplers/reducers. Any input on how to keep things from moving too much or on where to mount the i/c brackets? I haven't really gotten underneath the car to look yet. Oh yeah I got measurements of the i/c too. Core length is 21" Height 6 1/4" Overall length from inlet to outlet is 28" Oh and it's JDM so you know its good! :laugh: Also I'm gonna take the a/c condensor and everything out tomorrow. What do I need to elimate the compressor, just a different belt or an idler?

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...9/PICT0001.jpg

spapida 10-23-2009 02:47 AM


Originally Posted by miataspeed2005 (Post 471253)
I don't know about flow but I have a starion now and I switch to an eBay one and was getting higher temperatures so I went back to my starion.

If it was China it probably had a really low fin density.

p51hellfire 10-23-2009 03:05 AM


Originally Posted by 1slowna (Post 471238)
the aem looks like shit and is the same price though so go with an lc1

Are you on crack? there about 100 apart ....
As far as it working better I had no luck, not saying there bad in anyway, there more accurate per say, but since he's in my neck of the woods I'd suggest Aem because I know how to get that working!! :fawk:


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