Seems that a lot of people go for the FMIC way, to decrease the inlet temps. Although there are some results available on temperature drop of their FMIC against their stock TMIC, there seems to be very little data regarding pressure drops across the FMIC's.
Bigger FMICs are not necesarily better, because if they have an increased pressured drop this will probably cause lag (the turbo will have to work harder to get upto a certain boost level at the inlet manifold). What we are really after is the best temperature drop for the smallest increase in pressure drop. Therefore it would be nice to know if anyone has data on the pressure drop of their FMIC's.

Like does anyone know the actual pressure drop of the std. TMIC of a ver 4 and ver 5 WRX, at 1 bar and at higher boost levels ?????

 

I don't know the answer to your question but I'd like to find out as I think I know what angle you're coming from !

I believe the standard top mount has a very low pressure drop due to the tube arrangement ie many and short. The FMICs generally have as many tubes but over 4 or 5 times the length, add to this the 2.5" and 3" pipework and bends etc. Surely must be increased pressure drop at maximum flow rate ?

If your engines limiting factor is the Turbo exhaust backpressure causing reversion during the exhaust cycle then a FMIC may be detrimental to it's performance

Oooh, that'll put the cat amongst the pigeons

 

I have been told that if I fit a fmic to my standard turboed MY00, I will get lag low down .I was thinking of fitting a Pace kit,the pipes seem shorter than others as they are at the top and come over the radiator.as I do not want to change my turbo I think I'll have to look at water sprays/injection again.

 

The PACE kit seems really nice, although I would like to know what is the pressure drop of it. I guess it is all about getting a nice balance, best cooling with the least pressure drop and also size.

 

Not strictly related to front mounted ICs but interesting if you haven't seen it:

Autospeed article on Japanese intercoolers

Thanks

Gavin

 

the pressure drop I found afer I fitted my pace fmic was negligible.

I think people should try to go out in a front munt installed car before worrying about lag, it simply isnt an issue. With a small turbo perhaps, but mwith vf 23s etc, there is simply nothing in it.

To me it seems that the APS is the front mount of choice, there is no question that it works well.

I know the HKS works very well too but it slightly more money.

These are all tube and fin designs which apparently do not allow such good airflow over the core, which is important in our cars since the rad is right behind them.

The mrt is a bar and plate design but it isnt very big.

The other misconception is to go for the biggest possible.

For aesthetics I can understand but have a look at some previous wrc incarnations (and the current one I think) and you will see that the intercooler is tiny by comparison to ours, yet they run well over 2 bar!

 

Adam, why are u changing your Pace unit for an (apparently) APS one ?????