...and searched and read some more! there is a TON of information on the subject of intercoolers but MOST of it seems outdated. i've read back through several years of threads here and elsewhere.

As for SMIC's that are currently being manufactured - Pettit Racing (coolcharge II & III) and Peter Farrell Supercars (PFS) intercoolers look good. i found a ton of other choices in dated threads, however most of those suggested sources no longer fabricate SMIC's (ASP/M2 medium, etc.). I've been watching the classified section here and keep missing used intercoolers by hours (I recently missed out on both a Pettit CSII and PFS SMIC!).

So, I'm curious as to what you may feel is the best way to go for SMIC's that are being fabricated today. I will keep watching the classified sections, however I'm looking for 'new' options. I will also be adding a new radiator and have read that Fluidyne and MazdaComp/Davis radiator's may be the way to go for build quality, factory fitment and cooling performance. Koyo also seems to be reputable and an option.

thanks for your advice. i'm seriously trying not to 'beat a dead horse', but I'm about to spend a significant nut and want to do it right the first time!

Regards.

 

Nothing new. The info is still valid.

 

Yup - nothing new under the sun here, except that you can now get eBay intercoolers for $100.

I would not fixate on new here - a decent intercooler will last longer than a car.

 

I'd stay away from an eBay intercooler. Engineering costs money. In addition, you might want to look at doing a V-Mount intercooler since you plan on replacing your radiator.

 

I would not fixate on new here - a decent intercooler will last longer than a car.

I'm with you there... I was hours away from making a deal with Fritz on his Pettit CoolCharge II... it got away from me! I'll keep watching the 'for sale' threads - BUT, I may be forced to buy a new SMIC and this is the reason that I'm seeking advice here... just in case! Thanks again.

 

Budget?

If you are looking for the biggest size smic, that allows you to keep your battery AND retain stock piping to the y-pipe and elbow then knight-sports is your best bet. I also HIGHLY recommend, the Blitz and Re-Amemiya smic's.

 

There isn't much info in the Japanese SMICs but I am sure they are terrific. If you can wait I would grab one from purerx7. If you want something quick Im selling my M2 large but you gotta pick it up from NJ .

 

PFS also allows retention of stock piping and standard battery if that's important to the OP (it was to me). It also fits well with any aftermarket radiator AFAIK.

Regardless of IC choice, to a degree it's only as good as the duct. Be sure to consider that carefully as well.

 

more searching... so many FD enthusiasts and magazines really preferred Kevin Wyum's AST/M2 intercoolers. it appears that many others copied his design...

May 2004: Kevin Wyum's AST medium SMIC's - the end?:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/m2-asp-ics-what-really-happened-307487/

March 2006: Wyum's AST SMIC's sold through the RX7 store... no longer available anywhere?

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/asp-intercoolers-announcement-517299/

 

It doesn't matter so much which SMIC you get, besides the dodgy cheap egay ones... a SMIC will only be as good as the ducting you setup to it.

The trust ones look pretty damn good, knightsports too. They all come at a price though.

Still its alot cheaper then going a v mount if you don't have too much money, least you don't have to relocate battery, radiator, get a vented bonnet etc.

V mounts get very expensive, though are worth it imo.

 

Many people have their own opinions on the ebay intercoolers. I personally think they work great, especially for the money. I'm running one with well over 400 HP (soon to be over 500) and my intake temps never get out of hand.

I don't feel obligated to pay the exorbitant prices these big companies charge in the name of engineering research. There has been plenty of research done regarding heat exchangers in the last 60+ years by the NACA and other government funded groups that's readily available. I pay my taxes so I've already payed for the research, no need in paying for it again by spending 10 times the warranted cost of an item. <-- my opinion

 

I think you mean ASP (M2) not AST SMICs right? Ahem, like the one Im selling!

 

you're right... my bad... YES, ASP/M2 SMIC... the quality of fabrication, welds, etc. looks GREAT:

 

I personally like the Knightsports Twin Core, around the same price as the Pettit coolcharge 2 new.

 

Just pick up a used M2 med or large ic from the fs section and be dont with it....Or just pm me and buy my M2 large cause I have one for sale...

 

do you know the dimensions of the med and large? i have a m2 IC but idk what size it is..

 

And oldie but a goodie:

http://www.fd3s.net/intercoolers.html

 

On the Knightsports Twin Core, does the AST have to be relocated or can you mount the ast to the intercooler. I've seen pictures of it where the ast was relocated. But I think that's the biggest smic you could get and retain stock air box and stock battery.

 

ASP/M2 medium:

The core is 11.5" x 12" x 3.5"

inlet and outlet measure 2.75"



later version > one side is straight - one side tapered

 

In regards to intercoolers in general... majority of these intercoolers are bar and plate technology. Bar and plates are bar and plates... regardless of the brand that makes it. One generally isn't really better than the other. Sure weld quality, material quality, etc... all play a part, but I've never seen anyone have an issue with any of these intercoolers. It's a nonmoving part.

As already mentioned, an intercooler is worthless without the proper ducting.

Also size plays a large part. The M2 Medium and Large were tested back in the day and it was found that the Medium was more efficient than the Large due to pressure drop.

 

+1 for this one

depending on your budget, this would be THE way to go ( my opinion )

 

Does not need to be re-located

If you dont read anything else in this thread, this is by far the most important thing to note.

From what I have read on here and have heard from other members, I would NOT run a v-mount for a daily driver.

 

You haven't read my posts then.

 

Not even approximately true. A good discussion can be found here about intercooler characteristics, and in particular how size is not everything:

http://www.modified.com/projectcars/...t_6/index.html
http://www.modified.com/projectcars/...t_9/index.html

The second article has an interesting discussion about pressure drop.

One of the many reasons the eBay intercooler is so suspect is that there are no data on it. Claims like 'I made 300 whp with my eBay intercooler' mean nothing - all they tell you is that it didn't explode.

 

Thanks for posting the links. That is the original SCC build from back in the day that I was actually referencing in my original post where they find the M2 Medium to work more efficiently than the M2 Large.

Please explain to me your logic that 2 identical dimension bar and plate intercoolers(obviously with the same number of rows) from different companies with inlet and outlet in the same location will perform drastically differently. I don't understand your reasoning that one companies bar and plates are better than another. Dimensions of intercooler, inlet and outlet location, and proper ducting are my main concerns when purchasing an intercooler. I tested the XS Power ebay intercooler in 2005 or so with a proper duct on it. It worked much better than stock and I feel is more than sufficient for street/spirited driving for anyone that is on a budget and is able to fabricate a duct. Do I have pictures of my AIT readings before and after? No, but it's ok... I'm not looking to prove anything to the masses. BTW, I run a Pettit CoolCharge III on my track car and it works great... basically the same thing as the M2 Large.