*photos up front for attention grabbing purposes*





Summers coming, increasing intake temps which unfortunately causes lost power and increased potential for disaster because there isn't nice big ol' intercooler in my engine bay. Problem is, I'm quite overwhelmed with the price range and the options available. I can't be alone.

I've done the "intercooler, IC, smic, fmic, v mount" searching and haven't really narrowed down any CURRENT options. I don't think there's much value in ressurecting a thread from 5 years ago so I thought it might be a good idea to discuss a common upgrade for 2012.

This is not geared toward some high dollar (even used) JDM IC like an RE-A/KnightSports V Mount. Some crazy $2000+ custom IC's are also out of the scope of this thread. (Sorry Rotary Extreme, I'm sure it's an awesome kit, but not for my wallet). The target price for the complete system (including some welding for custom piping) would hopefully be around $1000 - $1250. Greddy kits, Pettit kits, the recent Defined Autoworks GB and RX7Store kits are all fairly close to this price range.

Custom kits within the price range are not out of the question. But please note the dimensions of the IC (overall and core) and inlet/outlet sizes.

Personally, this is for a sequential turbo setup. I'm considering going non-seq and eventually single so I'm looking for a solution that could fit all of those scenarios. I currently have a Fluidyne aluminum radiator as well.

If you don't want to answer the following, just post your favorite setup.

1. What intercooler do you currently have?
2. What turbo setup are you running?
3. Does your current IC setup require a battery relocation?
4. How much was your current intercooler?
5. How do you like your current intercooler?
6. Do you want a different IC? If so which one.

Hopefully this can be productive and not a long list of 'SEARCH' replies. Thanks for anyone providing useful feedback.

 

I am currently waiting for my RX7Store vmic kit to get here. Should be in this week I hope :thumbsup: I will post back once I have it installed to let you know how I feel on it.

 

I have the SR Motorsports SMIC. It's the same size as stock, but thicker, and installs and fits like a factory turbo.
Factory sequential turbos - rebuilt for a little higher flow.
Works fine for me - mods put me at the limit of stock injectors - I have a nicely integrated mod list.

May I suggest a cold air intake? You are starting with hot air from the engine bay - sucking cold air in from under the car will only help.

 

For me, there is really only 1 option.... Rotary Extreme Vmount. The fit, finish, and customer service provided by Ben was nothing short of TOP NOTCH. And now that custom A/C lines are included, it's even more of a no-brainer. With 3 different core sizes, it can cover all needs.

1. What intercooler do you currently have? RE Track/Tougue Vmount
2. What turbo setup are you running? GT35R
3. Does your current IC setup require a battery relocation? No. They sell nice kits for a mini battery, but I chose to relocate mine.
4. How much was your current intercooler? $2400
5. How do you like your current intercooler? Sick, killer, awesome. I don't worry about water temps in hot weather. If i move to New Mexico, I'm good to go. Factory polish, kept my A/C, welded on the my BOV flange for free, brackets for ducting, PS cooler (though mine is deleted), heavy duty tow hook, solid mounted cradle and continual communication of my customer satisfaction. A+
6. Do you want a different IC? If so which one. Nope... 100% happy.

 

What intercooler do you currently have? (Greddy/Trust SMIC and Aquamist HFS1 + rx7 summer)
What turbo setup are you running? (Stock twins)
Does your current IC setup require a battery relocation? (No)
How much was your current intercooler? ($600)
How do you like your current intercooler? (Heat soaks but works. With the addition of WI everything is awesome)
Do you want a different IC? If so which one. (No, I'd have no room for my awesome intake!)

If I were you, I'd look into water injection. That alone could solve alot of your problems. I can't see how ANY kind of IC could get my intake temps down to what they are with water injection alone. IMO, the best solution would be pairing an IC with a water injection kit. With my kit, I don't worry about ANYTHING intake charge related anymore.

 

ETS makes some nice kits and has a kit for the FD. Also there are used Apexi and blitz kits that pop up on the forums.

 

Does anyone have the Defined GB V Mount kit installed and have a quick review on it?

Or does anyone have a stand alone Godspeed IC which that Defined kit uses and have a review?

@ solareon
Please post an update when you get it installed and get some miles with the kit.

@ HadaVett
Personally, I recently had a bad experience with SR Motorsports and don't intend on doing business with them again. Re-branding of products with a 100% markup, then sending me the original items (not the re-branded product, the original, but for the 100% markup) is not okay in my book. I appreciate your input to the conversation though.

@ XLR8
I don't deny the fact that Rotary Extreme makes an awesome kit. Every potential problem with replacing the stock IC and radiator is addressed and they've done a top notch job. My only complaint is that you pay for that, and I don't need all of those things addressed. I don't have AC or PS so I don't need any of those little touches. I wish they'd offset then price for a lesser version which didn't include those extras, but, I've seen the price break down of those kits. I know he's not making much on them, the core components are expensive. And it shows in the quality of the kits and the praise that the customers have. I may end up getting one, as it would be a final, end all solution, but that is about $1k more then I'd be looking to spend.

@ Supernaut
Your intake is the awesome lol. I wish I could source one of those things on the cheap. Or someone (Shine?) start making less expensive replicas. But for the IC/WI, I do intend on getting WI. I'd like get a new IC and WI at the same time. Many people run that Greddy/Trust kit. And I've been monitoring the for sale forum for ICs, I've seen quite a few come up for sale and they get snatched quick.

@ Highboost242
I have not heard of the ETS kit. I Googled it but didn't come up with anything at first glance. Do you have a link to the FD kit?

 

What intercooler do you currently have? Greddy / Trust 2 row fmic
What turbo setup are you running? Stock sequential twins, 12psi
Does your current IC setup require a battery relocation? I'm not sure but I relocated mine anyways (i think so though)
How much was your current intercooler? bought in a kit with a rad. Guessing at a breakdown i would say $550
How do you like your current intercooler? I like it. It's probably not the best upgrade but my intake temps are super low, and my water temps are as well.
Do you want a different IC? If so which one. Who doesn't want a v-mount?

Extra comments: Paired with the AEM stage 2 A/I kit, I never worry about cooling. Intake temps are generally about 35C on the PFC and one I hit boost, it drops to around 25C. (This is on a 12C day.) People say this intercooler (and other front mounts) blocks off a lot of air from the rad, and maybe it's just the cooler climate here, but running a big mishimoto rad, my water temps are usually around 85C, maybe up to 89 - 90 when im playing around but at 91 the fans kick on and i've never seen it pass 93 (even on 30C days). On a casual drive, they even go down to about 79C. But i guess you weren't really asking about water cooling. General consensus, the greddy 2 row is pretty decent (especially for the price), but combine that with A/I and you're laughing.

 

This is a great thread because I am thinking about doing a different V-mount setup.

 

OP,

I can understand where you are coming from. Its like paying $2500 for RZ seats. But then again, what are you paying for? Quality, fitment, rarity and performance. Ben, the owner, worked with me quite a bit. Constant communication and updates. There wasn't a single aspect of the purchase that he wasn't on point. In fact, as I was waiting for my Vmount to be built, I added quite a few other quality products he offers to my list. His pulley kit is very nice, and the hood dampener kit rocks. I don't have power steering either and he retracted some of the cost for the coooler, and fittings. I purchased my Tial 50mm from him at the same time, so he gladly had my flange welded on. There wasn't a single part of the experience that left me wondering why I was paying what I did. I was simply a happy customer.

If you have the money, then get the setup you want. After all, you only have to buy it once.

 

http://www.extremeturbosystems.com/E...ooler-Kit.html

 

Stock intercooler

As Supernaut mentioned you should get a water injection system. I chose not spend any money on an intercooler and bought the AEM system. No intercooler can come close. One downside is that it does not look cool if are looking for the aftermarket modified look. If you had no IC and were relying solely on water injection you could have a problem if you ran out of water or had a malfunction but that won't be the case for you. If you are set on getting an intercooler just get a decent working SMIC and do the water injection too. Both could be done for under $1000.