Uprated Intercoolers...

[Jimlad]

Basically are they worth the price?? I know they are a required item when tuning etc, but I've heard they are not that much better than stock items. Something like 10% ??

I would be looking at getting an intercooler which fits in the stock location. Already seen a few decent second hand ones. (won't be getting for a few months, just planning ahead)

ta for any advice.

[Jesus]

Definitely worth it. Especially when combined with redesigned hard pipes and relocated BOV... used in conjunction with water injection...

[Bibbs]

Doing some research, it's a better mod (power wise) than getting a new turbo ..

[andy_twincams]

does any know much bout charge coolers??sorry to steal

[Mister2]

mmm.. i say go with a spearco side mount. dont waste ur money with greddy or hks. itll amount to the same once u buy ic fans for the greddy/hks. spearco comes with its own fan and shroud i think. and it has a thick core.

[Jesus]

To making a statement like that, I'm guessing you've personally tried and tested the HKS or GReddy units?

Have you tested the cfm or air going through the GReddy and HKS units as opposed to the Spearco with it's shroud?

Have you tested pressure losses?

The Spearco has it's own 'shroud' which is not exactly air tight because of the core size and angle it has to be mounted at. The GReddy and HKS units use the existing side 'pod' to guide the air right through the centre of the core, and no room to go any other way.

There's no doubting the quality and efficiency of the Spearco... but to make statements about wasting money on other items should be reserved for those that have tried them... which I trust you have... ;)

[Mister2]

well, i still have my stock ic, so i based it off research and pricing. here's what has been assessed.

the hks and greddy ic have a tube & fin design. The tube and fin core design is the most economical to produce and therefore more affordable to consumers. The tube and fin intercooler is also relatively light in comparison to the bar and plate design, affording users a slight weight reduction. When the charge air enters the end tank, it travels through tubes in which the heat is transferred via fins where cooler ambient air passes over the tubes. This further removes heat from the air before exiting the opposite end tank en route to the engine. All in all, the tube and fin intercooler is perfect for the tuners building their first custom turbo systems on limited budgets. The disadvantages to the tube and fin intercooler is that its effective efficiency is lower when compared to a similar sized bar and plate intercooler. however the spearco ic is bar and plate design. Bar and plate intercooler cores function identically to the tube and fin core, with the exception that charge air travels through rectangular shaped passages that have more surface area, thus improving cooling of the air charge. The advantage to using this type of intercooler is that because the bar and plate core design affords up to 35% larger surface area for cooling, a physically smaller intercooler can be used and still retain the cooling characteristics (efficiency) of a larger tube and fin design. This is important for a builder who has a vehicle with a small opening in the front of it or where there are immovable obstructions present. There is a downside to this design, too, as it is generally more expensive due to the extent of fabrication that is involved in its construction. The bar and plate intercooler is also heavier due to the larger surface area and denser fin design. Simply put, it generally contains more material, thus the heavier weight.

So in conclusion, more surface area means it takes longer to heat soak.

on a totally different note, over here, hks and greddy ic usually go for about $800-$900. Thats for the kit that includes the ic, piping, etc. the spearco goes for around $1000ish, maybe even in the $900 range if u catch a group buy. This comes with the ic that has a thicker core, piping, shroud, fan, couplers, etc. people spend about $200 more purchasing a new fan and shroud after they purchase a greddy/hks ic.

:bookworm: i have researched this and read write-ups by some notable mr2 owners here. hey jesus, this wasnt an attack at you or anything , just thought i should share the info that i have gathered with you guys

[Jesus]

Bar and plate does indeed offer more surface cooling due to increased thermal mass.

The HKS and GReddy units are sufficient to the state of tune they're designed for. If you go to a greater state of tune, side mount intercooler is no good to you anyway... so whether you have HKS or Spearco, they're not going to be up to the job.

I know it wasn't an attack on me mate.

[Mister2]

i see what you mean though. a trunk mount would ultimately be the answer for big hp. all the high power jap 2s are doing it. but i was just suggesting spearco to save him the time of having to purchase a fan when the spearco comes with those stuff, ya know? hey jim, what are your hp goals? since price doesnt seem to be an issue to you, why dont u just invest in a a2w ic? thats in a completely different league of its own.

[neilg1977]

Uh-oh....

I have bought (and fitted, what a nightmare..) a GReddy R-SPL intercooler however, with the above thread in mind, where can I buy an uprated fan and shroud from? Much worries over wasted 500 odd quid.....

Also, are the GReddy hard pipes supplied not worth using? If anyone can point me to a supplier where I can buy replacement hard pipes from, I would be most grateful!

Many thanks,

Neil

[KiwiMR2]

Don't worry...Greddy is still better than the OEM one & assuming your not aiming for massive hp it should be great for your car.

Cheers

KiwiMR2