Okay after way too long putting off my need for an upgrade and internally battling myself here's where im at...

Option 1: custom front mount and piping. Pretty usual stuff however I have a 4 inch thick authentic Greddy that came off a damaged GSX. I am/was going to take it to a local radiator shop and have it cut down and repaired. Then ebay piping kit and I have access to a bead roller. Now I don't want it in the front bumper opening. Looks tacky (to me), isn't ideal for optimal cooling due to the spacial difference between it and the rest of the coolers plus it interferes with the brake ducts and fogs. So I was going to move the rad, a/c condenser back a bit and stack the coolers properly with new a/c lines and ducting from the opening. Shorter piping is also a plus obviously and I see no need to v-mount my toy car. Its not a "race" car.

Option 2: Air-to-water
this has got me thinking lately, a lot. Much easier to add another water radiator up front and run 1/2 inch hoses and such than larger charge pipes. Short pipes still a plus! Could mount it in/near the own top mount position, again ease of packaging. Option to run ice water when im at the track also attractive.

So what's everyones take? Please help with constructive and beneficial info only please. My mods are :S4 turbo block street ported rebuilt 10k ago new seals good comp, injectors and fuel system upgraded although injectors may need a boost again with the cooler air, rtek 1.5 with Aem wbo2 and safc neo and apexi egt and boost, 3in dp high flow cat, borla catback, hybrid t04b p trim ported hot side and enlarged wastegate, hallman manual boost controller, 3 in tid boost is 12 psi

 

Just because its not a track car doesnt mean you cant or wouldnt want to go v-mount..

Like with any intercooler, it'll work perfect if you provide proper ducting.
Even a basic FMIC setup will also work better with that.

Going water to air just adds more complexity and possible failures. Not something you want for a streetcar

 

I'd got for front mount or v mount, a lot of people prefer V mount now days and there are plenty of kits available to make it easy for you. Front mounts are readily available all over, only the piping is a pain in the **** to do. Might even find a kit for perfect piping somewhere!

 

The problem with and AW set up, is that if the pump dies it can lead to higher intake temps and detonation. I know guys that run them on the street, but their tuning is set up to dump the timing as soon as intake temps get over a certain threshold.

 

Well im avoiding amount because id like to retain a/c and don't feel like fabricating a/c lines and what not. Ill have to look into a type of warning system for a failed pump because I have considered that failure can and will happen possibly even a mechanical pump for the system? Anyone know what Toyota ran on the old all-trac celicas? If I remember correct they where air to water... or what the old vortech aftercooled civic superchrarger kits used? I probably put like 3k miles a year in give or take so. Im not opposed to some fab work but the less the better. Thanks for the input thus gfar

 

Buy the greddy fmic kit, that drops right in while maintaining A/C and PS

 

Unless you install a separate cooling circuit for the A/W intercooler like the OEM's do, it will have limited effectiveness on the street.

 

I plan on if I go a/w doing an additional cooling system with an extra smaller radiator in front for it mounted in front of the condensor

 

Air to water cooler is nice because the core is small and the system is efficient. However, it's another water system that could leak and the electric water pump could fail. Also, if water becomes heat soaked, it will take a long time to cool down again.

Air to air is a simple system. It has a large core. Heat soak is eliminated once moving.

Air to water is a great system for drag. Air to air is great for drift/autocross and street. If you daily drive the car, go with an air to air cooler.

 

I have a custom FMIC system... Next time I will go V-mount. I'd like for my oil temps to lower.

 

I went with the air to water because I did not want to cut holes in the car or block air to the oil cooler and rad. It works good. It will heat soak after a good long drive. I dont run ac, but my set-up would work with the ac installed. I only put about 1000 miles on the car a year.