Notices
ScoobyNet General General Subaru Discussion

Front mounted intercoolers- Your opinion

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 28 April 2009, 03:26 PM
  #1  
Ben2563
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
 
Ben2563's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lydney, Gloucestershire
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Front mounted intercoolers- Your opinion

I have been toying with the idea but I'd like to know what you guys think, is it really worth it?

Forget the cosmetic side of things, purely performace.

Cheers

Ben
Old 28 April 2009, 03:29 PM
  #2  
g7prs
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
g7prs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

What model of scooby do you have? What sort of power are you after?
Old 28 April 2009, 03:30 PM
  #3  
STiFreak
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (4)
 
STiFreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Depends on your car model year, level of tune and future modifcation plans.
Old 28 April 2009, 03:31 PM
  #4  
STiFreak
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (4)
 
STiFreak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

LOL ... snap!
Old 28 April 2009, 03:40 PM
  #5  
Ben2563
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
 
Ben2563's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lydney, Gloucestershire
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

306bhp at present but just bought lightened fly, exedy clutch and power FC ECU. Wont be modding much more than that. I plan to have it hovering around the 310 bhp mark. Turbo is runing just shy of 1.2 bar.

97 WRX.

Last edited by Ben2563; 28 April 2009 at 03:41 PM.
Old 28 April 2009, 03:43 PM
  #6  
EddScott
Scooby Regular
 
EddScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: West Wales
Posts: 12,573
Received 64 Likes on 32 Posts
Default

Personally I think at any output, an FMIC would be a better option.

On top of the engine is just the wrong place. Once its hot and your stood in traffic it takes it a while to cool down again and start working properly.

Its top of my list of mods
Old 28 April 2009, 04:13 PM
  #7  
ScoobyDoo69
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (17)
 
ScoobyDoo69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: WMI
Posts: 5,143
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Stick a couple of fans underneath it to drag the air through. It works really well IMO. Keeps the intercooler cold to touch atleast.
But logistically, a FMIC is just a MUCH better place to be cooled.
Old 28 April 2009, 06:01 PM
  #8  
172sport
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
172sport's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Nr Grimsby
Posts: 2,641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by ScoobyDoo69
Stick a couple of fans underneath it to drag the air through. It works really well IMO. Keeps the intercooler cold to touch atleast.
But logistically, a FMIC is just a MUCH better place to be cooled.

You dont need fans, as soon as your moving it takes very little time to cool. I suspect they would cause more harm than good when on the move ie. restricting airflow when you need it most, when your pushing on.

I never saw higher temps than 40C even on track with the smallest early cooler
Old 28 April 2009, 10:02 PM
  #9  
ScoobyDoo69
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (17)
 
ScoobyDoo69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: WMI
Posts: 5,143
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
Default

If they're underneath the intercooler they wont restrict any flow? In a stand still situation (say the drag strip) having fans underneath the intercooler, pulling air through is surely nothing but beneficial?
Old 29 April 2009, 10:21 AM
  #10  
Peanuts
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (15)
 
Peanuts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Portsmouth
Posts: 8,606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

They do restrict the flow, even when underneath.
Half the issue with airflow is how do you get the air out.
Its ok going in but unless the air out is expelled at the same rate as air in then it stops any further flow.

Physics 101, not rocket science.
Old 29 April 2009, 11:25 AM
  #11  
Timur 008
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Timur 008's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 342
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

if you do go for one make sure you get it mapped & defo your performance will change & should get a higher torque figures i got it done & love it as i don't think about heat soak anymore & got more power bonus was it looks the dog danglies too but its up to you.. if your happy with the car as it is stay there don't attempt to change it & not like the out come.
Old 29 April 2009, 12:19 PM
  #12  
vindaloo
Scooby Regular
 
vindaloo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: South Bucks
Posts: 3,213
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Ben2563
I have been toying with the idea but I'd like to know what you guys think, is it really worth it?

Forget the cosmetic side of things, purely performace.

Cheers

Ben
Note: Not got one...

I like the idea of more regular, better cooling and less heatsoak.
Don't like the pipe runs, bumper cut, visibility of the FMIC, requirement for a remap and a new recirc or BOV to get the best out of it.

I like the PACE and Leteral ideas... If my car was purely a toy, I'd ditch the aircon and go for the Lateral version.

J.
Old 29 April 2009, 01:11 PM
  #13  
Peanuts
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (15)
 
Peanuts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Portsmouth
Posts: 8,606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

lateral works with air con iirc
Old 29 April 2009, 01:14 PM
  #14  
New_scooby_04
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
New_scooby_04's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The Terry Crews of moderation. P P P P P P POWER!!
Posts: 18,687
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Ben2563
I have been toying with the idea but I'd like to know what you guys think, is it really worth it?

Forget the cosmetic side of things, purely performace.

Cheers

Ben
Yes, a good one does what it says on the tin, without a shadow of doubt!

BUT whether you NEED one or would be ok with the TMIC depends on your car, spec, and power aspirations

Ns04
Old 29 April 2009, 05:29 PM
  #15  
AlanPPP
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
AlanPPP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Wirral,Pensby
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Pretty much the same spec as my old 96 WRX with 320 brake mate.The FMIC made it into a diff car..once it was mapped.

Go for it.
Old 01 May 2009, 12:05 AM
  #16  
Ben2563
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
 
Ben2563's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Lydney, Gloucestershire
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Ok thanks again guys. If I were to go for it do you suggest fitted it before remapping my new Apexi or should it not matter to much?

I may have to put it off at the mo because as you may have seen in some other threads I really need to consider my brake upgarde the next priority.
Old 01 May 2009, 12:10 AM
  #17  
V5RLTD
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
V5RLTD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Devon
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Defo put the fmic on and then get it mapped to suit
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
shorty87
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
19
22 December 2015 11:59 AM
GB270_CALUM
General Technical
4
01 October 2015 09:50 PM
shorty87
Other Marques
0
25 September 2015 08:52 PM
MightyArsenal
Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
6
25 September 2015 08:31 PM



Quick Reply: Front mounted intercoolers- Your opinion



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:48 AM.