3rd Gen General Discussion The place for non-technical discussion about 3rd Gen RX-7s or if there's no better place for your topic

Anyone tested the PWR U-type SMIC (from Australia)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 24, 2020 | 05:47 PM
  #1  
Zepticon's Avatar
Thread Starter
OEM+
Tenured Member: 10 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 676
From: Norway
Anyone tested the PWR U-type SMIC (from Australia)

Hi
With all the feedback i got im other thread about the best way from stock car to 400RWHP, i am trying to do as much research i can on the different "unknowns" i still have.
One of them is "the best SMIC that fits the stock location". I can either buy one, or have one made locally, but i would probably come out at the same price either way.

As i want everything to fit an OEM-ish car, the SMIC market is limited to a few brands. Greddy/Trust, Knighsport, Mazdaspeed, RE, and PWR/Marcus.

From those, i have always favored the "U-type" Marcus Read, now PWR one. It looks nice (only competition on looks is RE) and it comes with a very good kit. And for me looks are important, also in the enginebay.
Being made by PWR, i don't doubt the quality, and judging from the pictures it should be very good.

The complete PWR kit is priced at $1500 for the intercooler, hoses, AST stand and carbon fiber duct. The duct is plain weave, which for me is a huge +. It looks killer together with the AutoExe intake.
The competition, KnightSport, is $1440, with a FRP duct and some blue hoses, and not the same attention to details as the PWR version.
Looking at the for sale sections, used RE intercoolers with not hardware or ducts are in the $600-1000 range iirc used. No duct and with bent fins.
So in terms of buying a new one, for me the PWR one wins easy over KnightSport on looks.

But does anyone here have any experience with the performance?




Reply
Old Jan 25, 2020 | 03:51 PM
  #2  
DaleClark's Avatar
RX-7 Bad Ass
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (56)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,626
Likes: 2,733
From: Pensacola, FL
I think that should be an excellent option, that's probably going to get you the best cooling possible with an airbox and full size battery. PWR does make good stuff and the pictures look like a top notch product. I didn't even know they had a kit like that!

I would probably couple that with a water injection setup and you'd have a great solid platform with low air temps.

Dale
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2020 | 04:47 PM
  #3  
Nakd n Fearless's Avatar
Senior Member
Veteran: Army
Tenured Member: 15 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 77
From: Coral Springs, FL
It looks really good, a rounded copy of the Knight Sports Super U, adds that under hood stock bling. Perfect for a street legal set up if you are required to have that.

At that price point you are very close to V mount costs
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2020 | 05:38 PM
  #4  
Zepticon's Avatar
Thread Starter
OEM+
Tenured Member: 10 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 676
From: Norway
Originally Posted by DaleClark
I think that should be an excellent option, that's probably going to get you the best cooling possible with an airbox and full size battery. PWR does make good stuff and the pictures look like a top notch product. I didn't even know they had a kit like that!
I would probably couple that with a water injection setup and you'd have a great solid platform with low air temps.
Dale
I think its something they make for Marcus Read, the guy with the SP turbos. He is somewhat active here, but more active on Facebook. And yes, as you say, the PWR brand suggest it is a good option.

Originally Posted by Nakd n Fearless
It looks really good, a rounded copy of the Knight Sports Super U, adds that under hood stock bling. Perfect for a street legal set up if you are required to have that.
At that price point you are very close to V mount costs
Street legal is required for minimum trouble with the police.
I know its closing on V-mount, but if i am going the V-mount route, that would have to be fully custom made and im not going there unless im going single.
I have looked at the available V-mounts, and even the best ones i have found would require a lot of custom work for me to be happy. And those cost quite a lot
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2020 | 01:22 PM
  #5  
alexdimen's Avatar
TANSTAFL
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 128
From: Richmond, Va.
Wow, that is a nice kit! It's the little details like proper mounts with vibration isolators that make it so nice.

Great option for plug and play with minimal down time. These days my time is limited and I consider difficult installation and modifications to unrelated parts to make something fit part of the cost.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2020 | 04:08 PM
  #6  
TwinCharged RX7's Avatar
Built Not Bought
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,389
Likes: 966
From: Stamford, CT
How do your order that kit? I didn't get far on the webpage haha
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2020 | 01:05 AM
  #7  
Zepticon's Avatar
Thread Starter
OEM+
Tenured Member: 10 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 676
From: Norway
Originally Posted by TwinCharged RX7
How do your order that kit? I didn't get far on the webpage haha
As i replied to Dale, i think its something they make exclusively for Marcus Read. He got a Facebok page called RX7 FD Specialist.
I think this type of design was something as guy called Sasha made, and Marcus sold. Their partnership went sour and Marcus took the production to PWR, while Sasha continued to sell his stuff at FDmotorsports. I think his user here is THE DOCTOR.

Sasha is also making a redesigned version of his original design and was just posting some pics on facebook, but it seems they blocked any facebook links on here... BUt if you paste this after facebook.com you will find it /sasha.apostolov.9/posts/2303907546502569

Last edited by Zepticon; Jan 28, 2020 at 01:27 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2020 | 06:20 AM
  #8  
SPII's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Sydney - Australia
hi im the one selling it just message me in face book https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527820134
Reply
Old Jun 27, 2020 | 06:27 AM
  #9  
SPII's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Sydney - Australia
ucan read this matey
Craig Csongrady
Ok, many of you have been asking how the car went after fitting a few extras. The PWR Intercooler and Radiator, AutoExe with the SP spec mods to the twins from Marcus Read, the car went from around 170 kw to 259 kw @ 14 lb boost on 98 Pump

in australia im making very good boost and power with them u have been doing u type now over 20 years on fd been doing fd now over 25 years u can message me in face book my link see all the parts i sell all from japan and pwr https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527820134 i have in stock
​​​​​​​
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2022 | 02:29 PM
  #10  
kulluminati777's Avatar
Mazdaspeed addict
Tenured Member: 10 Years
Liked
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 297
Likes: 12
From: Dallas
Anybody have one of these for less than 1k. I dont feel these are Vmount money worthy but i want to keep my current intake and like this setup from a cosmetic stand point lol.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2022 | 02:34 PM
  #11  
ptrhahn's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,287
Likes: 713
From: Arlington, VA
It looks like a great option IF you're convinced you want to stock with a stock style intake and battery box, otherwise you're compromising frontal area, and like pressure drop with how twisted the pathway is, but for what its mean to do it looks great.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2022 | 06:39 AM
  #12  
Sgtblue's Avatar
Urban Combat Vet
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,160
Likes: 983
From: Mid-west
^Agreed, pressure drop, given the design, intuitively looks like it could be an issue. Though the PWR does look like it might be a little improved design over Knight Sport.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2022 | 02:18 AM
  #13  
SPII's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Sydney - Australia
U type

HI YES IM THE ONE MAKING THE U TYPE U I AM MAKING 550HP ON THE TWIN TURBOS WITH IT AND SINGLE BOYS MAKING WELL OVER 650HP ON MY SET UP U CAN GET ME ON MY FB PAGE
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527820134
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2022 | 02:20 AM
  #14  
SPII's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Sydney - Australia
Yes u can get me on fb marcus read pic white fd
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2022 | 06:11 AM
  #15  
Sgtblue's Avatar
Urban Combat Vet
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,160
Likes: 983
From: Mid-west
There is/was a lengthy thread on the Aussie forum started by a moderator entitled “why you shouldn’t buy anything from Marcus Read”. I tried to link to it but it requires a login to view.

And Im sorry but I think 550 hp on twins is bullshit. Especially on a SMIC of any design.

Last edited by Sgtblue; Aug 23, 2022 at 06:37 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2022 | 06:48 AM
  #16  
boostin13b's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 414
From: Tampa, Florida
Originally Posted by Sgtblue
There is/was a lengthy thread on the Aussie forum started by a moderator entitled “why you shouldn’t buy anything from Marcus Read”. I tried to link to it but it requires a login to view.

And Im sorry but I think 550 hp on twins is bullshit. Especially on a SMIC of any design.

Care to fill in any details? This is the kit I've been looking at for a while and looks to be a good replacement for the SMIC. I'm looking to stay with stock twins, 350hp max so this is mainly for reliability over the stock intercooler. I'm always worried about sending my money over seas and not receiving a product though, especially if it is just a personal sale and not though a store front where you can contest the purchase. What are the horror stories on that other forum?
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2022 | 07:18 AM
  #17  
Sgtblue's Avatar
Urban Combat Vet
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,160
Likes: 983
From: Mid-west
https://www.fdrx7.com/forum/showthre...ht=Marcus+Read

He was banned from that forum for a host of shady dealings.. Documents posted showed that he was rolling back odometers on cars, trying to sell VIN stickers and other sketchy stuff and PM’ing new members soliciting and telling them not to deal with others. I’m not going to refresh my memory completely by going thru all the posts but I think you can still register and read thru it yourself.

If PWR is offering these and I wanted one, personally I’d look for another vendor, but it’s your call.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2022 | 08:25 AM
  #18  
boostin13b's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 414
From: Tampa, Florida
Originally Posted by Sgtblue
https://www.fdrx7.com/forum/showthre...ht=Marcus+Read

He was banned from that forum for a host of shady dealings.. Documents posted showed that he was rolling back odometers on cars, trying to sell VIN stickers and other sketchy stuff and PM’ing new members soliciting and telling them not to deal with others. I’m not going to refresh my memory completely by going thru all the posts but I think you can still register and read thru it yourself.

If PWR is offering these and I wanted one, personally I’d look for another vendor, but it’s your call.
Thanks for the heads up, kind of a bummer because this looks like a great product for those that want to stay stock ++. Especially since it works and looks so good with the Autoexe intake. I guess I need to start looking to see if PWR will sell them direct.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2022 | 09:26 AM
  #19  
Sgtblue's Avatar
Urban Combat Vet
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,160
Likes: 983
From: Mid-west
Maybe the OP will chime in on his experience both on the IC and if he ended up dealing with him.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2022 | 12:42 PM
  #20  
Zepticon's Avatar
Thread Starter
OEM+
Tenured Member: 10 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 676
From: Norway
Originally Posted by Sgtblue
Maybe the OP will chime in on his experience both on the IC and if he ended up dealing with him.
I am waiting for the carbon fiber ducts to be finished, then i will order a set. Of course, as with everything i buy its only paypal with buyer protection, and pictures beforehand.

I have purchased items from Marcus previously without issues, and also spoken to people who have the PWR IC. I think its one of the bri’ish guys on here who got one.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2022 | 01:00 PM
  #21  
boostin13b's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 414
From: Tampa, Florida
Originally Posted by Zepticon
I am waiting for the carbon fiber ducts to be finished, then i will order a set. Of course, as with everything i buy its only paypal with buyer protection, and pictures beforehand.

I have purchased items from Marcus previously without issues, and also spoken to people who have the PWR IC. I think its one of the bri’ish guys on here who got one.
That's good to hear. The original post was over 2 years ago. Have you been waiting on the ducting since then or did he not offer carbon with the one you purchased? If it is that long of a wait I should have ordered 2 years ago.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2022 | 01:33 PM
  #22  
Zepticon's Avatar
Thread Starter
OEM+
Tenured Member: 10 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 676
From: Norway
Originally Posted by boostin13b
That's good to hear. The original post was over 2 years ago. Have you been waiting on the ducting since then or did he not offer carbon with the one you purchased? If it is that long of a wait I should have ordered 2 years ago.
It took a while before i got the cash. Then it was out of stock and i had to wait for that, and now the carbon guy was not doing that anymore. But i havent used the car since 2019 så im not in a hurry…
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2022 | 04:56 PM
  #23  
knut's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member: 5 Years
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 92
Likes: 9
From: Los Angeles
So I have this setup. I bought it for the same reasons as some of the others looking at it. It seems to be one of the best smic intercoolers and looks great paired with the autoexe intake. I also put a koyo rad around the same time in 2020 and combined, my temps are pretty well controlled on the street. Even canyon driving it seems to hold up very well. I haven't tracked the car though so I have no experience really pushing the set up but I've been happy with it overall to retain that stockish look. I also purchased it from Marcus. I've seen him beefing with some other guy online quite a bit but he was always pretty helpful and informative to me whenever I reached out. I bought a few items from him and they all came within a decent time frame (This was before the pandemic). I'm in LA so it took a little while coming from Australia. I bought the PWR SMIC, autoexe intake, strut bar, oil cap and a bunch of small parts off him and have no complaints so far.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2024 | 06:51 PM
  #24  
silverTRD's Avatar
Time or Money, Pick one
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
iTrader: (40)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 169
From: Torrance, ca.
What is it about this kit that makes it so you can’t use the Stock air box and crossover? Is it the duct?
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2024 | 06:40 PM
  #25  
Kalypto's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member: 5 Years
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 69
Likes: 25
From: New Orleans, LA
I'd assume. Not like you'd want to use the stock S6 crossover anyway.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:24 PM.