Anybody actually tried the xspower (ssautochrome) ebay intercooler?
09-09-05, 12:54 PM
#26
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Thought I'd post my results after some highway driving and 2 days at the track. On the highway, in ~80 degrees ambient I'm seing around 45celsius air temps. If I stop for 10 minutes and let it heat soak temps will rise to around 65 celsius, and it takes about 10 minutes of highway speeds for it to drop back to 45. This is with the air temp sensor in the stock location so I'm not sure how valid the heat soaked numbers are...
At the track I was seeing temps in the mid to high 50's after the 26 minute session. Between staging and hard driving I'm sure the temp sensor was pretty heat soaked.
The biggest problem I found with the pipes is the one that leaves the y-pipe has a very short neck after the bend. To get it to fit under the r1 strut brace, over the air-pump, and onto the intercooler low enough to clear the hood, you have to connect it to the y-pipe at a weird angle. I had to use the stock y-pipe coupler because it was lower and more plyable, the weird angle stressed it and ended up tearing the coupler.
Other than that I'd say the intercooler was a success!
At the track I was seeing temps in the mid to high 50's after the 26 minute session. Between staging and hard driving I'm sure the temp sensor was pretty heat soaked.
The biggest problem I found with the pipes is the one that leaves the y-pipe has a very short neck after the bend. To get it to fit under the r1 strut brace, over the air-pump, and onto the intercooler low enough to clear the hood, you have to connect it to the y-pipe at a weird angle. I had to use the stock y-pipe coupler because it was lower and more plyable, the weird angle stressed it and ended up tearing the coupler.
Other than that I'd say the intercooler was a success!
09-09-05, 04:45 PM
#30
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no, what an opportunistic company in a capitalist society
the scumbag company is the one charging 3-4 times as much for the same product because they put their name on it. Don't even thinking about preaching R&D to me either, IC design is pretty common among companies (except maybe Apexi).
the scumbag company is the one charging 3-4 times as much for the same product because they put their name on it. Don't even thinking about preaching R&D to me either, IC design is pretty common among companies (except maybe Apexi).
09-09-05, 04:52 PM
#31
Originally Posted by jayk
Thought I'd post my results after some highway driving and 2 days at the track. On the highway, in ~80 degrees ambient I'm seing around 45celsius air temps. If I stop for 10 minutes and let it heat soak temps will rise to around 65 celsius, and it takes about 10 minutes of highway speeds for it to drop back to 45. This is with the air temp sensor in the stock location so I'm not sure how valid the heat soaked numbers are...
At the track I was seeing temps in the mid to high 50's after the 26 minute session. Between staging and hard driving I'm sure the temp sensor was pretty heat soaked.
The biggest problem I found with the pipes is the one that leaves the y-pipe has a very short neck after the bend. To get it to fit under the r1 strut brace, over the air-pump, and onto the intercooler low enough to clear the hood, you have to connect it to the y-pipe at a weird angle. I had to use the stock y-pipe coupler because it was lower and more plyable, the weird angle stressed it and ended up tearing the coupler.
Other than that I'd say the intercooler was a success!
At the track I was seeing temps in the mid to high 50's after the 26 minute session. Between staging and hard driving I'm sure the temp sensor was pretty heat soaked.
The biggest problem I found with the pipes is the one that leaves the y-pipe has a very short neck after the bend. To get it to fit under the r1 strut brace, over the air-pump, and onto the intercooler low enough to clear the hood, you have to connect it to the y-pipe at a weird angle. I had to use the stock y-pipe coupler because it was lower and more plyable, the weird angle stressed it and ended up tearing the coupler.
Other than that I'd say the intercooler was a success!
What kind of ducting are you using?
09-09-05, 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by 4CN Air
no, what an opportunistic company in a capitalist society
the scumbag company is the one charging 3-4 times as much for the same product because they put their name on it. Don't even thinking about preaching R&D to me either, IC design is pretty common among companies (except maybe Apexi).
the scumbag company is the one charging 3-4 times as much for the same product because they put their name on it. Don't even thinking about preaching R&D to me either, IC design is pretty common among companies (except maybe Apexi).
yeah, its just too bad that everything they sell is a blatent ripoff of other companys. The thing that pisses me off the most about it is the poor quality of the products which cause reputable companys to get a bad rep about their products.
and not everything is made in china like ssautocrome. most companys cant even afford to sell the products for what they do, let alone pay for warehouse space, yes r&d and tech support not just a cell phone and basement.
I would never buy something from ssautochrome. you get what you pay for.
09-09-05, 08:33 PM
#33
Just the intercooler for 175 which is what I paid for it is definetly worth much more than 175. Make your own piping and either modify an existing or make your own duct. An intercooler is not something that takes all that much R&D or tech support. Either of which I can do for out for the low price. Stop complaining because someone is making stuff for cheap. I personally thinks its good for the do it yourselfers.
09-10-05, 02:35 AM
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Originally Posted by XSTransAm
you get what you pay for.
So I guess the $70 shirt I just bought the other day for $20 isn't as good as it was in the beginning of summer when it first came out?
You want the added piece of mind that a big business's name brings, then spend the 3 times as much for it, and steer clear of threads like this.
09-10-05, 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by afterburn27
Thanks for reporting back, I figured the piping would be a slight problem for those with an airpump and strut bar.
What kind of ducting are you using?
What kind of ducting are you using?
09-10-05, 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by XSTransAm
you get what you pay for.
I have yet to read any actual factual evidence that there is anything wrong with this intercooler.
09-10-05, 12:33 PM
#37
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i looked at their website and i might have to buy one of these. i wanted to see if they mad one for a single turbo but i guest i'll just have to fab something. it might even go look good V-mounted. just weld some backets and some piping work and voula v-mount. some ducting required of course. it looks pretty good. i had their SR20 exg. manifold on my silvia and it worked really good. as for copying yes they do but its good for the consumer. if it puts out the same numbers as the M2 intercooler for a 3rd of the price then guess what i'm gonna buy. also those beads around the outlet pipes are an ez fix take it to any decent welder and they could trow a bead around each one for maybe 20 bucks. i'll buy one. just got to wait for the next auction.
09-10-05, 03:07 PM
#38
Originally Posted by jayk
I don't know about you, but I liked paying $2.10 for 93 octane gas alot more than I like paying $3.70. And its the same gas...
If you want a real analogy use the following. The "as seen on tv" electric shavers with a free garden hoe, color tv and family pet included for the low low price of $19.99 must be just as good and the same quality as any $100 electric shaver. I know someone that said it really does cut hair so that's all the proof I need. Until someone can prove to me the others are any better I won't believe them.
What kind of ignorance is that? You have no real test data of any kind, no pressure drop figures, no nothing but you've convinced yourself that someone is going to waste their time trying to prove to you what a POS your project is? Why would they waste their time? You're clearly extremely defensive about it and not going to accept it even if someone did show you the truth. So when little pieces of casting debris and shavings from inside the core go bouncing through your motor pat yourself on the back.
And yes what others have said is normally true, you get what you pay for. You'll learn that as you get older and experience it often enough for yourself. Yes on occasion prices are inflated simply because of popularity or marketing hype but overall it is true.
Kevin T. Wyum
09-10-05, 04:09 PM
#39
There are no castings on the the endtanks. Whether it works at 90% of what an M2 does I'm fine with that. The money was definetly worth not paying. In the end the core is the only real difference. The piping is up to the setup you have duct also. I have serious doubts that this core is all that different in efficiency from the one M2 uses. Mine without a duct is still giving me better temperatures than the stock IC. Maybe your the one being defensive trying to justify the money you spent on another IC setup. That would help explain why you decided to post your opinion in this thread.
I can tell you the IC I received looks much better in quality than the M2/ASP IC that's shown on Max Coopers site.
I can tell you the IC I received looks much better in quality than the M2/ASP IC that's shown on Max Coopers site.
09-10-05, 06:31 PM
#40
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Originally Posted by Kevin T. Wyum
That's where your logic has vanished. In this case it's not the same gas. For the clown that tried to equate buying a summer shirt in fall for less you need to pull your head out of the darkness. That's a simple supply and demand situation, along with cultural norms "trends" that will likely make the shirt undesirable the following year. It's cheap now because nobody wants it and it likely won't be the "in" thing the following spring so they need to unload excess near worthless stock. Lucky for them people like you are willing to scoop it up. Both of the analogies are pretty far fetched and without merit.
If you want a real analogy use the following. The "as seen on tv" electric shavers with a free garden hoe, color tv and family pet included for the low low price of $19.99 must be just as good and the same quality as any $100 electric shaver. I know someone that said it really does cut hair so that's all the proof I need. Until someone can prove to me the others are any better I won't believe them.
What kind of ignorance is that? You have no real test data of any kind, no pressure drop figures, no nothing but you've convinced yourself that someone is going to waste their time trying to prove to you what a POS your project is? Why would they waste their time? You're clearly extremely defensive about it and not going to accept it even if someone did show you the truth. So when little pieces of casting debris and shavings from inside the core go bouncing through your motor pat yourself on the back.
And yes what others have said is normally true, you get what you pay for. You'll learn that as you get older and experience it often enough for yourself. Yes on occasion prices are inflated simply because of popularity or marketing hype but overall it is true.
Kevin T. Wyum
If you want a real analogy use the following. The "as seen on tv" electric shavers with a free garden hoe, color tv and family pet included for the low low price of $19.99 must be just as good and the same quality as any $100 electric shaver. I know someone that said it really does cut hair so that's all the proof I need. Until someone can prove to me the others are any better I won't believe them.
What kind of ignorance is that? You have no real test data of any kind, no pressure drop figures, no nothing but you've convinced yourself that someone is going to waste their time trying to prove to you what a POS your project is? Why would they waste their time? You're clearly extremely defensive about it and not going to accept it even if someone did show you the truth. So when little pieces of casting debris and shavings from inside the core go bouncing through your motor pat yourself on the back.
And yes what others have said is normally true, you get what you pay for. You'll learn that as you get older and experience it often enough for yourself. Yes on occasion prices are inflated simply because of popularity or marketing hype but overall it is true.
Kevin T. Wyum
Uhh... relax dude. I don't expect anybody to spend time time proving anything, but throwing out opinions that say the intercooler is a pos with no facts is pointless. I decided to post my results from an interesting alternative to the high priced IC's, take it as you will.
Last edited by jayk; 09-10-05 at 06:35 PM.
09-10-05, 06:57 PM
#41
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Originally Posted by Kevin T. Wyum
That's where your logic has vanished. In this case it's not the same gas. For the clown that tried to equate buying a summer shirt in fall for less you need to pull your head out of the darkness. That's a simple supply and demand situation, along with cultural norms "trends" that will likely make the shirt undesirable the following year. It's cheap now because nobody wants it and it likely won't be the "in" thing the following spring so they need to unload excess near worthless stock. Lucky for them people like you are willing to scoop it up. Both of the analogies are pretty far fetched and without merit.
If you want a real analogy use the following. The "as seen on tv" electric shavers with a free garden hoe, color tv and family pet included for the low low price of $19.99 must be just as good and the same quality as any $100 electric shaver. I know someone that said it really does cut hair so that's all the proof I need. Until someone can prove to me the others are any better I won't believe them.
What kind of ignorance is that? You have no real test data of any kind, no pressure drop figures, no nothing but you've convinced yourself that someone is going to waste their time trying to prove to you what a POS your project is? Why would they waste their time? You're clearly extremely defensive about it and not going to accept it even if someone did show you the truth. So when little pieces of casting debris and shavings from inside the core go bouncing through your motor pat yourself on the back.
And yes what others have said is normally true, you get what you pay for. You'll learn that as you get older and experience it often enough for yourself. Yes on occasion prices are inflated simply because of popularity or marketing hype but overall it is true.
Kevin T. Wyum
If you want a real analogy use the following. The "as seen on tv" electric shavers with a free garden hoe, color tv and family pet included for the low low price of $19.99 must be just as good and the same quality as any $100 electric shaver. I know someone that said it really does cut hair so that's all the proof I need. Until someone can prove to me the others are any better I won't believe them.
What kind of ignorance is that? You have no real test data of any kind, no pressure drop figures, no nothing but you've convinced yourself that someone is going to waste their time trying to prove to you what a POS your project is? Why would they waste their time? You're clearly extremely defensive about it and not going to accept it even if someone did show you the truth. So when little pieces of casting debris and shavings from inside the core go bouncing through your motor pat yourself on the back.
And yes what others have said is normally true, you get what you pay for. You'll learn that as you get older and experience it often enough for yourself. Yes on occasion prices are inflated simply because of popularity or marketing hype but overall it is true.
Kevin T. Wyum
My shirt example was to show that the trite saying "you get what you pay for" is entirely false. You proved my point with your explanation. There is a lot more at work in determining price than the manufacturing costs. This is why if you buy at the right time you can get the same quality product for a reduced price; once again proving the expression "you get what you pay for" entriely WRONG. BTW: A solid color button up dress shirt won't be going out of style anytime in the near future.
But some people need the reassurance of a well known brand. I guess this is why Gotham sells so many urethane motor mounts for $350 when it takes $50-60 worth of urethane, any saw, and 10 minutes of your time. Nothing like relying on the uneducated consumer.
09-10-05, 07:22 PM
#42
Originally Posted by 4CN Air
My shirt example was to show that the trite saying "you get what you pay for" is entirely false. You proved my point with your explanation. There is a lot more at work in determining price than the manufacturing costs. This is why if you buy at the right time you can get the same quality product for a reduced price; once again proving the expression "you get what you pay for" entriely WRONG. BTW
Kevin T. Wyum
09-10-05, 07:43 PM
#43
I just realized which IC we were talking about here. This is the:
"BUY FROM THE LEADER IN ALL OUT SUPER PERFORMANCE
WE KNOW WHAT YOU NEED
WE KNOW THE NEED FOR POWER
OUR TURBO'S , MANIFOLDS, WASTEGATES, BOV, DUMPS, EXHAUSTS ARE
PROVEN RACE PERFORMANCE"
What race was that? Sadly it seems the FD has reached the trailer park. I really liked how they responded to someone that got the wrong flange:
"Reply by www.ssautochrome.com: You suck and your mother dresses you funny - retarded ? not reading the auction"
"BUY FROM THE LEADER IN ALL OUT SUPER PERFORMANCE
WE KNOW WHAT YOU NEED
WE KNOW THE NEED FOR POWER
OUR TURBO'S , MANIFOLDS, WASTEGATES, BOV, DUMPS, EXHAUSTS ARE
PROVEN RACE PERFORMANCE"
What race was that? Sadly it seems the FD has reached the trailer park. I really liked how they responded to someone that got the wrong flange:
"Reply by www.ssautochrome.com: You suck and your mother dresses you funny - retarded ? not reading the auction"
09-10-05, 09:15 PM
#44
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If you are still curious, I have the intercooler in and I figured out the electrical problem. Anyway, I have the car running and the intercooler works great. Let me know if youwant to know anything about it. I do not know what the PSI drop is but I do know that the car spools up a whole hell of a lot better.
Quid
Quid
09-10-05, 09:25 PM
#45
Rotary Enthusiast
Kev, I have this intercooler in my car. It took a lot of custom fit work but the results are excellent. At 13 pounds boost on a 90 degree day, my stock IAT temp readings are about 130 degrees. I did'nt believe it so I borrowed another sensor from Railgun69 and the readings were the same. We did a track session at Gingerman last week and temps read the same differential. This is front mounted and a stock radiator . Water temps never rose above 210F in full throttle runs of about four seconds, two seconds of corners,etc on a 1.88 mile track, for 20 minute sessions. As far as casting pieces in the engine, it has been in the car for 3500 miles and I have'nt seen any evidence of schrapnel in the exhaust.
09-10-05, 09:44 PM
#48
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OK, let's keep this thread to those who want a cheaper alternative to the name brand IC's. I mean why did you guys who love to bash cheap products even come to this thread?
I'll drop the stupid debate and wait for the hard numbers.
but most of all: thanks for trying something different, that may benefit everyone, and actually reporting back with results.
I'll drop the stupid debate and wait for the hard numbers.
but most of all: thanks for trying something different, that may benefit everyone, and actually reporting back with results.
09-10-05, 09:52 PM
#49
Rotary Enthusiast
Properly installed and ducted, this intercooler kicks *** at mucho dollars less than NAME brand. My radiator is stock with 111,000 miles and sits directly behind this allegged POS. 210 degrees F on an 80 degree day water temps and 120 degree IAT is nothing to sneeze at under practically 20 minute full throttle runs. If you think these IC's are crap, don't buy one. If you don't run one, then keep your speculation to yourself.
09-10-05, 10:17 PM
#50
Originally Posted by impactwrench
My radiator is stock with 111,000 miles and sits directly behind this allegged POS. 210 degrees F on an 80 degree day water temps and 120 degree IAT is nothing to sneeze at under practically 20 minute full throttle runs.