my spool speed also decreased when i went from the 11x12x3" core to 18x12x3" core. I'm running a 18x6.5x2.5" core currently.

If you plan on being a man and pleasing a woman at some point in your life, get a real man's intercooler. I'm using a 22x7x2.5 core right now, and I'll be switching to something like a 25x12x3 when my new motor goes in and I start running some 'big boy' boost. It is possible to go too big, but given the space that we have available I don't think that we can go past the point where the cost of an IC from CXRacing will outweigh the benefits of a larger core.

Was the 11x12x3 really crappy?

I know there's room for bigger stuff but like I said before, I'm not ditching the PS or AC and I intend to use the FM piping without hacking on it (at least for now).

If what this means is that I have to pony up for the FM piece to get fit and effectiveness, then so be it. In fact, that was sort of the point of the original post. I knew there was some experience with the CX unit and wondered if I should bother or suck it up and pay-up. It's a cheap experiment to be sure but if it's already known to suck, why bother?

Basically, I want something that will fit and work with the FM stuff I have (or will soon have). I'd like to use my cash for a clutch instead of the FM IC if it has the possibility of being satisfactory. The car is up on stands and is sans exhaust, intake, and some of the suspension. I figured I may as well do the clutch while that stuff is already out of the way. If the CX racing piece works fairly well, it let's me drive my car sooner. If it's shite then I'd rather wait until I can afford to do it right. If it's "pretty decent" then it might be worth running for the rest of the summer and upgrading later.

you dont have AC do you?

not really, I've kinda always wanted to go back to it. the 18x6.5x3 core will fit with a/c... im doing it.

http://www.boostedmiata.com/gallery2...80+_Large_.JPG


one of these days I might even go out and bend the drier a little and jack the IC up a little.

....and there's what I was after. I'd rather have spool than a big intercooler for no apparent reason. From some of these posts I AM starting to wonder if some of us aren't compensating.....:D

I sure do

Well you can always check the spool data. I'd be curious to see the difference between the 19" FM IC and a smaller one if you go with it. My data is posted, so make sure you take a log when you get everything.

:crx:

How in the hell did you get that big interfooler in there?

Mines much narrower and is already up against that little canister in there

move the cannister:)

that's the same intercooler that came on my car when i bought it from a friend. i think it's been on there for 5-6 years. last week i was at a track and it was hot as hell out, iat's were only 5 deg. over ambient on wot in 4th.
i've been tracking it for 2.5 years since i bought it. but i don't run crazy boost either. it's usually at 9-10psi at the track, but with a little bigger gt28 turbo. i actually have a bigger intercooler sitting in my garage for almost 2 years!

Does that mean you'll sell me your little one for cheaps? :)

I wouldn't use primer. All you need is a red scotch brite pad and a really clean surface

cheaper than ebay cheap? sure, but don't hold your breath, don't know when i'll be swapping them out.

I was sort of joking...or hoping to give you an excuse to upgrade. All the ones I'm finding on eGay have inlet/outlets over 2.5".

On the way from fleaBay. New; 73 bones, shipped.

When i painted my IC i just gave it a few sqirts of metho hit it for 30seconds with a brush thing then let it air dry and sprayed it with a $3 can of black and it looks "ok". That said since its been in the car ive never seen it or had anyone ask me about it so it must be good enough. I should have done 2 coats but i ran out of paint, and didnt really care :D

I'm using a stock FD RX7 intercooler on my setup. It's a rather small unit overall and it's...I'd say a little bit larger than a 1 gallon Antifreeze jug. I'm running a fairly low boost level however, only 6psi but it's uniformed and uses 2.5" coupling. I'm placing it vertically in the center of the grill. This way I can allow for direct cool air on either side directly to the radiator and condenser without warm charge air flow.