V or Front Mount Intercooler help
#1
V or Front Mount Intercooler help
I am working on getting my FD back to the OEM look. After finally getting an OEM bumper that was already cut for a FMIC, I was quite frustrated (and saw more money going out the door) when it wouldn't mount because the FMIC that came on my car was way to big. I have no idea who makes the current FMIC but it's either a cheap knockoff or PFS as the car was tuned by PFS according to the previous owner, albeit towards the end of PFS when everything went to crap.
Like just about every FD owner, I've sunk a ton of money into the car and having to get a new IC was not in the forecast but I also really hate this Veilside front bumper and want the OEM look.
What are my options for a "budget" but not crap (if it exists) FMIC or V setup? I haven't had my FD in the summer so I have no idea if heat soak will be an issue down here in NC but I've read old posts that say to definitely stay away from SMIC and possibly FMIC as well. I did some googling and found CXracing. I don't know anything about them, but they have FMIC for under $500 and V mount for just under $800. Both are significantly cheaper than the well known Japanese brands like Greddy and RE.
I didn't find much info searching the forum on CXracing that was within the last 2-3 years. Any thoughts on them or suggestions? The engine is a freshly rebuilt street port from RotorSports racing along with a Borg 8380 SXE turbo. The current radiator is a Fluidyne (on the car when I got it). Not looking to make anything more than 350-400hp. My car is a second/fun/weekend car. Don’t foresee any track or drag racing in its future.
As you can see form the pics, there is no way to mount the OEM bumper unless I completely hack the bumper. Ugh.
Like just about every FD owner, I've sunk a ton of money into the car and having to get a new IC was not in the forecast but I also really hate this Veilside front bumper and want the OEM look.
What are my options for a "budget" but not crap (if it exists) FMIC or V setup? I haven't had my FD in the summer so I have no idea if heat soak will be an issue down here in NC but I've read old posts that say to definitely stay away from SMIC and possibly FMIC as well. I did some googling and found CXracing. I don't know anything about them, but they have FMIC for under $500 and V mount for just under $800. Both are significantly cheaper than the well known Japanese brands like Greddy and RE.
I didn't find much info searching the forum on CXracing that was within the last 2-3 years. Any thoughts on them or suggestions? The engine is a freshly rebuilt street port from RotorSports racing along with a Borg 8380 SXE turbo. The current radiator is a Fluidyne (on the car when I got it). Not looking to make anything more than 350-400hp. My car is a second/fun/weekend car. Don’t foresee any track or drag racing in its future.
As you can see form the pics, there is no way to mount the OEM bumper unless I completely hack the bumper. Ugh.
Last edited by Djseto; 02-17-19 at 05:32 AM.
#2
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
V-mount is hands down the best cooling option. i ran a Greddy style FMIC with the stock bumper and vertical mounted koyo radiator behind it and my car would overheat on the street after heavy driving. went V-mount and my coolant temps refuse to get higher than 200. if you want a true "bolt on" kit, the Greddy is the way to go. i made my own.
#4
V-mount is hands down the best cooling option. i ran a Greddy style FMIC with the stock bumper and vertical mounted koyo radiator behind it and my car would overheat on the street after heavy driving. went V-mount and my coolant temps refuse to get higher than 200. if you want a true "bolt on" kit, the Greddy is the way to go. i made my own.
#5
Built Not Bought
iTrader: (14)
I could be wrong , based on the inlet and outlet coming out of the sides, but that looks like an intercooler for another car, or was custom to yours.
I'm a fan of a properly ducted front mount. Cleans up the engine bay a lot more than a vmount and to me, looks better aesthetically when looking at the car from the front.
Most that have overheating issues do not have proper ducting or other supporting cooling mods.
I'd stay away from CX Racing. Not always the best fit.
You could also try to trim the stock bumper a bit. If the IC is hanging too low, I can't tell if that's the issue from the picture, you probably want a lip on it anyways which may address it.
I'm a fan of a properly ducted front mount. Cleans up the engine bay a lot more than a vmount and to me, looks better aesthetically when looking at the car from the front.
Most that have overheating issues do not have proper ducting or other supporting cooling mods.
I'd stay away from CX Racing. Not always the best fit.
You could also try to trim the stock bumper a bit. If the IC is hanging too low, I can't tell if that's the issue from the picture, you probably want a lip on it anyways which may address it.
#6
i struggle with a Greddy etc being that much better than say a CX for the cost difference. Some guys on the Facebook group have used kits from ETS. I can’t imagine there are huge differences in intercooler design or that much enhancement ... but this is relatively still new to me.
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#8
I could be wrong , based on the inlet and outlet coming out of the sides, but that looks like an intercooler for another car, or was custom to yours.
I'm a fan of a properly ducted front mount. Cleans up the engine bay a lot more than a vmount and to me, looks better aesthetically when looking at the car from the front.
Most that have overheating issues do not have proper ducting or other supporting cooling mods.
I'd stay away from CX Racing. Not always the best fit.
You could also try to trim the stock bumper a bit. If the IC is hanging too low, I can't tell if that's the issue from the picture, you probably want a lip on it anyways which may address it.
I'm a fan of a properly ducted front mount. Cleans up the engine bay a lot more than a vmount and to me, looks better aesthetically when looking at the car from the front.
Most that have overheating issues do not have proper ducting or other supporting cooling mods.
I'd stay away from CX Racing. Not always the best fit.
You could also try to trim the stock bumper a bit. If the IC is hanging too low, I can't tell if that's the issue from the picture, you probably want a lip on it anyways which may address it.
#10
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
The ets front mount is huge, it doesnt mater if you duct it perfectly in hot weather, your car will over heat. It will block 80-90% of the 99 spec front bumper opening. I have the ETS as v mount now though and i love it this way.
i would give CX racing a try, if i were you.
i would give CX racing a try, if i were you.
#11
The ets front mount is huge, it doesnt mater if you duct it perfectly in hot weather, your car will over heat. It will block 80-90% of the 99 spec front bumper opening. I have the ETS as v mount now though and i love it this way.
i would give CX racing a try, if i were you.
i would give CX racing a try, if i were you.
#12
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (3)
Vmount
I live in Fl and I used to run a front mount. With the Fmic it would overheat with the OEM hood. Changed to vented hood and everything was good. Got tired of the vented hood and went back to OEM hood. Changed to a rotaryextreme vmic with a lrb undertray and the temps never even get to 200.
#13
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
If you can get away with vmount CX and keep the fluydyne do it (it would be less expensive), if not, you are going to have to get front mount. It depends also how much changes you are willing/able to do to make a v mount work. Its not going to be plug and play either way, i know you are aware of that by now.
#14
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
theres some more info on custom setups in this thread
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...n-pic-1133475/
#15
I live in Fl and I used to run a front mount. With the Fmic it would overheat with the OEM hood. Changed to vented hood and everything was good. Got tired of the vented hood and went back to OEM hood. Changed to a rotaryextreme vmic with a lrb undertray and the temps never even get to 200.
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