Have to agree with you there. I have one along with the ducting from the group buy and I love it. At the price I got mine for, you can't beat it.

-Neal

 

Negative proof:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negative_proof

It is not up to detractors to prove that this IC is useless. Proponents must prove that it is useful. In order to prove this, measurements are required.

Can't beat it at what? Metrics are required to prove that one thing is better than something else. What are those metrics and how does this IC perform on them?

 

Ok Mr. Technical, allow me to rephrase. I PERSONALLY enjoy owning this specific intercooler versus the stock intercooler.

But at the end of the day, what really makes an intercooler? A core and piping. From what I can see the quality seems satisfactory, if someone wants to spend triple the price on a well known name brand that has been proven, be my guest. As for me, I am content with my buy.

 

I'd have to agree, its a core and piping with some end tanks welded on, this isn't rocket science... Nobody is arguing that it is worse than stock, nor is anybody arguing that it is better than the M2/ASP. If you plan to run modest boost (i'm at 12psi) and just want something that will be -better than stock-, you can't beat the ss autochrome. And nobody has proven any negative facts about the ic, while plenty of us have been using it with no problems.

I will say that the duct from the group buy didn't fit my car at all and I'd prefer that I hadn't purchased it... So right now mine is ducted with part of the group buy duct and duct tape, it looks like crap but has held up through 3 track days.

 

I wasn't a big fan of the ducting. I had a tough time moving the relay box which I didn't expect to have to do. Also, the quality wasn't very good on mine, I saw the pattern of the fiber and the thickness wasn't uniform. Not to mention it was a PITA getting it to fit properly, I must have cracked it in 3 places.

 

How did you move the fuse box? I'm thinking of doing that, then mounting the ic more horizontally so all you can see is the top of the ic. Create some nice square ducting below it out of aluminum and use 45 degree couplers to connect it. This would have the added advantage of creating more space for air to leave the radiator, but i'm a little concerned that it wouldn't be perpendicular to the airflow. Then again, the opening of the standard ducts is so small I can't imagine it gets that much flow anyway. So I might try removing the plastic that blocks the top of the radiator and putting a duct all the way along to pull air in. It at least seems like a fun project.

 

Bingo!! That is exactly what I am doing. I am taking out the plastic piece that is above the radiator blocking the passenger side. I was apauled at how little the opening was on the stock duct and how shitty the stock IC really is. I am not throwing any technical info out there, but from first lamens eye glance, this is 4 times bigger than the stock IC and is an obvious upgrade from stock. At least its not plastic. I eat sandwiches bigger than the stock IC. I agree IC design is not rocket science and every custom application is different. That is why I chose to make a duct for mine only. I am also incorporating a split duct design dedicated to the intake, one opening with a passage to both. I think after laminating some fresh air headlight covers, they are useless. It really is difficult to send real fresh air to the intake. So the one part I don't want to do is the relocation of the fuse block, but that thing has to be moved.

 

The wires were tight so there wasn't much space to move the box at all. I had to cram the box into a small space to the left of its origional location for now. This weekend I will cut away some of the duct and re-mount the fuse box in its origional location.

 

Thats pretty much what I did, I don't want to cut the wires but seems like the only way to permenantly move it out of the way.

 

I am extremely interested in doing the same duct/fab work in the engine bay .I would love to see some pics of your ducting designs and progress on your project.. please post up pics of the project .

 

Search for Trev's FTL intake. He made a number of ducts exactly like you're talking about wanting to do. Someone might even be willing to sell one, they weren't the best looking but they worked.

Kevin

 

Wow, I haven't heard anyone mention Trev's intake in ages. I wonder how many of them are left, and if any of those are still being used...

-Rob

 

Thanx Kevin, i did a search and no info. Does anyone have a link or can find me some more info on the Trev's intake. I am using polystyrene foam to make a shape and then I am fiberglassing a duct that will be laminated with CF. I will be using vinylester resin for a high heat and chemical resistant part. I am very interested in the design of the Trev's intake duct. I don't however plan on selling these and making them. maybe I can get with Sean and he can offer them, two designs. who knows. thanx to anyone that can help. Where is Kyle when you need him?

 

Glassman used to run Trev's intake....maybe he still has it or has pics. I remember that there's really not much to see when it's installed in the car....it just looks like a lot of melted black plastic..

 

I recently bought the intercooler and install kit, but haven't installed it yet because I'm going to install some other parts at the same time, and am waiting for them all to come in. I can tell of a problem I have now. . . I bought a greddy type RS BOV, but the flange is too small for the BOV. I have contacted them to see if they can sent me a new pipe with a different flange, but haven't heard back yet. Any other ideas?