I was wondering which intercooler setup would you guys say I should run in my 20B project. The two choices are: HKS FMIC for the FD (dimensions are 2.5 x 12 x 24 inches core size) or some intercooler off of Ebay that huge (probably 24 x 12 x 4 inches core size). I'm looking to get around 800hp, give or take some. Which one would you guys take? Which is better in my case, a bigger and thicker intercooler, or one that's a bit smaller and thinner? I have heard that most of the Ebay intercoolers hold up a lot of hp and are really good, but are they as good as HKS? Any and all help is appreciated....
-Erik

 

I wouldn't cheap out (I'm just assuming the eBay junks is cheaper) when going for big hp and spending big money. I'd say go for name brand, reputable stuff.

 

eBay 4" core - ~$150 shipped
Same sizes core from Spearco / Turbonetics? Close to $1000...no endtanks

The eBay "crap" works.
It might not flow as well as some of the other stuff, but bang-for-the-buck, it's hard to beat.

I have never seen or heard of one "failing".

Sure, it's "cheaping out", but I don't see paying $1,000 for something that doesn't perform that much better.


-Ted

 

I have seen these intercooler work on 1300hp pump gas engines same ebay "crap" that you are refering to... the work very well and flow damn good.

 

i bought the 4" thick "drift" intercooler from ebay. fits similar to a big greddy. for 160 shipped i cant beat it. if it was a mechanical part, ie: wastegate, i would buy high quality stuff.

 

i use a 31x12x3 ebay with my own custom end tanks. I am pushing probably 600whp through it now and it works great. I say invest the 800 bucks you save in something more worthwhile, like a roll cage, or a pair of hookers.

 

i was wondering if thoes of you who have ebay FMIC if you remember where or who you got them from and could send me some pic of them on your car and a link to where icould get one???

 

I've heard the ebay ones have thicker metal that doesnt cool as well and huge pressure drops, and leaks, and all these probablems, but i dont believe it.

I have yet to see anyone prove any of this. I can look at a nice Greddy or HKS intercooler and an ebay one and the quality looks spot on. Nice straight, thin fins, good welds, etc. Its not a very complicated part to make. I know plenty of people (myself included) successfully running these intercoolers. for the price, why not give it a shot?

 

Im just going to say one word "efficiency"

 

nah...another lb of boost will correct that

 

Id say that ebay "junk" seems to be working quite well for brian....

 

also thats a 91.5mm PTE so i think the intercooler is fairing out pretty good.

 

does any one use this FMIC http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA:IT&ih=013 or does anyone have pic of the ebay ones they use and or maybe links to them?????

 

i am using this one


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BIG-4...QQcmdZViewItem

 

I have the 24x12x3 core ebay IC and it works fine for my t04s setup. my friend (88GTU) just pickedup the 4" wide core version for his diesel van (turbo powerstroke baby!) construction looks sound, fin density is the same as my 3" core, giong to assume its gona work

 

how hard was it to install and got any pic of it on the car??

 

http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...el/new%20FMIC/

its not ducted yet, im doing that this month, works great though even w/o the ducting

 

What did you do with your af61?

 

does everyone saying that the Ebay stuff is just as good TRUELY understand the engineering behind intercoolers? I have seen some real junk intercoolers come from Ebay. They usually "look" the same to someone that doesnt really know what they are looking at.

One of the worse things I've seen in a Ebay cooler is no internal turbulators. Some also have very low number of rows and very low external fin count.

 

Engine air temps will PROVE if it works or not.


-Ted

 

Unless everyone compared the Ebay one with the higher priced one on the same car in the same environment temp logging doesnt tell you which is better or how much better.

 

I'm sure we have enough people running GReddy / HKS / Spearco units to EASILY compare the eBay "crap".

How else do you propose to prove otherweise?


-Ted

 

It is for sale, want it?

 

i looked for a greddy 3 row core forever. i was willing to pay 700-800 for a core but not 1200 when i still have to nake piping. the "kits" wouldnt work for me.

i will be glad to take logs of temps and pressure drops

 

I've used the ebay inetcoolers a few times on customer's cars without any problems (two rb25det into 240sx swaps, sr20det swaps, turboed hondas, 13brew, etc.).