Small intercooler...adequate?
 

I'm looking for a small intercooler that will fit with air conditioning and not block too much radiator airflow, but big enough to support a future ~230 hp (way future). I'm looking for it to be easy to plumb, also.

I found this 12x9x2 intercooler, but am afraid it might be too small for long-term goals (~230) but for anything in the near future, it should be good (start at ~140rwhp, slowly increasing to ~180hp). What do you guys think? Waste of money/effort to start with this? Should I just go straight to the size Braineak is using?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FMIC-...QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks

PS: Manifold/downpipe and turbo should arrive tomorrow! Figues I won't be around for delivery. I'll have to wait until Tuesday to pick it up, hopefully no later.

Its only 40bux...even if u have to buy another one later down the road it will atleast work for awhile (that is if its a decent product to start with)

Kind of a funny size but it will work great. If you plan on using water injection down the road then you should be able to maintain ambient intake temps no matter what betweent the two.

too small for nearly $100, IMO.

agree on that ... $40 shipping? You gotta watch out for the shipping costs on ebay because many sellers use it to make a few extra bucks. Always consider cost after shipping.

a lot of us are using this little guy. About 2" longer and an inch thicker:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18x12...mZ200043141004

I'd go with that- a lot more intercooler for just a little bit more

I know you run it with air conditioning, but do you find that it blocks a bunch of airflow to the radiator? And are the inlet/outlets really 2.5"? Thanks!

My inlet/outlets are 3", others have ones that really are 2.5"

No problems with airflow to the radiator. You still have plenty of space of either side:

http://www.rev2red.com/images/HyperF...fest06_164.jpg


I made a $10 scooper as I found I was overheating after 100mph, although I didn't have the undertray installed. Post scooper and undertray I could reach speeds of 130mph without a blip on the temp. gauge.

Thank you much sir. I hadn't seen that view of it installed...much more reasonably sized than I expected. Looks like the way to go!

thats what I would use given your criteria, this IC will give you headroom for ~300hp I would expect.

Another option to consider:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FMIC-...QQcmdZViewItem

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...5_105_full.jpg

Not a huge fan of over-the-top radiators, as it looks like that would be.

Thanks all for the suggestions. Next time I'm paid, I'll be springing for one of those 18x12x3 intercoolers!

Braineack: You knowledge of this stuff is humbling. I was on EBAY and saw that ETD has another FMIC for the same price - 28x7x2.5. I would think this would also let a lot of air hit the radiator. My questions if the flow and working pressure differences. It has 600 CFM with 10-25 working pressure psi and a max hp of 300. The 18x12x3 has 150 CFM with 30-40 working pressure psi and a max hp of 350. The pressure drop is the same. If I stay below 300HP, shouldn't I choose the one with the greater flow? How important is CFM and the differences in working pressure?

I just posted this:
https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/showthread.php?t=5663

The throttlebody pipe fits well with a 1.6, you'd have to fab up the other pipes though. Jim B used to sell (still does?) piping for installing this intercooler on a GReddy'd miata.

Is it bad to want to cover the entire front open area with intercooler lol?

My intercooler is of average size, see pics below. Welding by Corky. Ric at RM thought it would be too small the datalogs seem to think it's just fine. He was surprised to see how low the temps stayed.

Mark

I personally run an ETD intercooler...its the 28x8x3.5" version. I dont think their airflow calculations are right, some of them just dont make any sense. That 27x7x2.5 should be good for 350-400 hp...but honestly any of them will work. I picked a 28" long version so it would look better since it takes up more room. I could have gotten away with a smaller IC I just wanted to be straight baller.