Comparison of SMICs ?
 

Hmm... currently I'm in the market for my stock IC replacement. I am about to get a PFS SMIC, but read some negative reports about it here and at scuderiaciriani.com. Is BLITZ or Greddy SMIC better ?
There is only 0.4psi less pressure drop on PFS SMIC vs stock IC.
Anyone has info how is the pressure drop with Greddy and Blitz SMIC vs. stock IC ?

Does a $700 IC replacement really make a difference (performance and reliability wise) ?

Thanks!

It really depends on your goals for the car.

I got a good deal on a used Blitz SMIC that I couldn't pass up. The dimensions are fairly close to stock except that it's twice as thick. The difference when driving using the stock IC and the Blitz is night and day.

Anything aftermarket is going to be better than the stock IC so you really can't go wrong with purchasing any of them. Which IC is right for you depends on your application.

The PFS SMIC is larger than the GReddy or Blitz. Depending on what intake you have, you make need to replumb or get a new intake altogether. The Blitz is a drop in replacement. The GReddy requires a little extra work to have it matted to the stock IC duct (or using a PFS/Pettit IC duct).

The larger you go, the more things you'll have issues with for fitment (like battery miniaturization/relocation, airpump removal, intake fitment).

Well, I would get PFS airbox with the PFS IC + duct.
I already have APEXi intakes, but they will be replaced obviously.

So, again, is PFS IC a good choice ?

I do about 5 track events every year. And want to run 13-14psi if possible.

My setup is in my sig.

If you want something like that, I would go with the ASP SMIC personally. The main reason to take the PFS over the ASP would be to keep the airpump and stock battery location.

You have a midpipe, so keeping the airpump is not a concern (and apparently Kevin does have piping now for the ASP Med SMIC to keep the airpump). The battery is the other problem, but I think you can slide the ASP over enough to keep the stock battery location.

Hmm... tough call. Although maybe I should explain that those trackdays are actually hotlapping laps on short 2km circuit here. About 4-5 series of up to 6laps (totaling in 15min per series). And ASP medium ICs are hard to come by - and currently I cant afford a new kit.

Another thing - anyone knows if there is a problem with fitting the aftermarket AST (I have rx7.com's AST) with PFS IC setup ?

There is nothing wrong with the PFS SMIC. It works well for medium boost applications. And it has less of a pressure drop than you indicated, I gained over 1 psi of boost installing it over the stock IC....

FWIW, I ran a track day at 13 psi with the PFS. My intake temps were in the low to mid 60s C on a 100F degree day. Pretty hot but that's an extreme case. Running 10 psi on the track on a 50F day led to intake temps of high 40s C.

I bought my PFS SMIC and intake used for $900. This is considerably less than an ASP setup and I can still use the stock elbow and cross-over tube. I would say it is adequate for up to 12-13 psi, even for track use. Above that, you probably want something larger.

Regarding an aftermarket AST, mine is clamped to the outlet pipe. It's perfectly safe there and hasn't budged an inch in a year of auto-x and track days.

Thanks guys. I'm going with the PFS :)

Rynberg, is your IC an older model? I know the orginal PFS IC's didn't have a mounting spot for the AST, but didn't PFS correct that in the later versions? As I recall, now the majority of their IC's have a bracket that you can mount the AST to.

By the way, my $0.02 falls in line with what rynberg said. Great intercooler for the stock twins, and low to medium boost applications. I think it'll work well for ya.

Rob

Just FYI, I never said there was anything wrong with it. As a matter of fact, I'm thinking of switching to one later this year. ;)

However, if I had the money, it would go to a ASP.

Amen to that.

Mine has a bracket that works great -- with the stock AST. It however, does not work with my particular AST (rx7.com). The clamp works great, however, zero slippage.

I didn't think you did. :) FWIW, if I had felt like spending almost $2k (ASP SMIC+Greddy elbow+intake) instead of $900, I would have gotten the ASP too. I know it cools better, but I'm not at the power output levels where I think the increased performance outweighs the increased cost and inconvenience. :)

The PFS is a better fitting IC with a much better engineered duct. Plus you don't have to relocate the battery, deal with the alumninum pipes, or buy a Greddy elbow.

But if you want all out performance - get the ASP large or even better the Rotary Extreme V mount.

How about the Blitz ? Shouldn't it have a lower pressure drop than the PFS ?

Hmm... I also have rx7.com AST. Where did you then fit yours ? Did you have to fabricate your own bracket for it ?

No, it is just supported off of the outlet pipe using a clamp (same as coupler clamp). I'll try to post a pic tomorrow.

pettit coolcharge II here....works great fits great....

PFS core was upgraded to higher efficiency about 4 years ago. Nice kit, just mod the air box to get air from below, vs stealing fron IC.

check comparos for charge flow areas, stock is tiny and gives 2.6 psi drop at 12 psi boost. The M2's will be cooling airflow limited at the track. SCC measured 158F charge temp at 12 psi on a hot day.

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/intercoolers.html

Rynberg, I'm def. not second guessing your word, but PFS told me their SMIC is a must to run 13psi and up, and they use it for higher boost applications (16 psi and up) over front mounts...and no I'm not talkin about the PFS race IC.

Yes, obviously they're gonna hype up their products...I guess my question is, is my PFS SMIC def. not capable of handling 16 psi?

same here :) .

Well, if YOU want to run 16 psi through it on a hot day at the track, be my guest....but I wouldn't! :)

Perhaps it would be acceptable if you plugged off the PFS intake feed out of the duct......but I wouldn't run it with the normal PFS intake setup at that high of boost. And I'm talking about HPDEs, not street driving. On the street, I wouldn't worry about running 16 psi through it.

No no.. I didnt mean on the track. I was talkin about street drivin (only occassionally @ strip/track).

But I thought you meant the IC just wasn't made to handle boost applications above 12 - 13 psi period (which would be a pretty crappy aftermarket IC if you ask me)

Oh and the PFS intake duct opening is plugged, cuz I have a M2 intake.

btw...what is HPDE?

thanks

High Performance Driving Environment .

I guess :)

High Performance Driving Event =

group rents out race track for the day/weekend and you drive real fast on said track.....:D

one thing to consider is the twists and turns on the pipes to and from the SMIC.

As Hooever at www.turbohoses.com can explain, the more convolutions the greater the turbulence and the more it will negatively impact intake velocity.

This ultimately hurts performance.

I'd like to replace the stock intercooler, and I need to keep the stock airbox, air-pump, and battery.

I have the following mods:

1) JDM downpipe (no pre-cat);
2) N-Tech free-flow cat;
3) Trust/Greddy muffler;
4) cheap-bastard intake;
5) M2 Stage III ECU

My boost pattern is currently 12,8,12

Which Stock Mount Inter-Cooler (SMIC) would you recommend ?

:-) neil