Which stock mount intercooler is best for FD3S?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 25
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From: Germany, Bielefeld
Which stock mount intercooler is best for FD3S?
I have the following situation...
Recentley I got a FD3S from Japan (1997). The car is great, but beside the 99 body parts and a Fujitsubo exhaust it was kept stock.
The problem is that the intercooler hose is cracked and I need a new one. Therfore I prefer to change the complete intercooler. I want to increase power, but keep the OEM airbox and not relocate the battery. Therefore I want a stock mount intercooler.
Which SMIC is best and where can I get it?
I was searching on ebay and some other sites, but I can't find any SMIC's!!! Why???
Please help me....
Recentley I got a FD3S from Japan (1997). The car is great, but beside the 99 body parts and a Fujitsubo exhaust it was kept stock.
The problem is that the intercooler hose is cracked and I need a new one. Therfore I prefer to change the complete intercooler. I want to increase power, but keep the OEM airbox and not relocate the battery. Therefore I want a stock mount intercooler.
Which SMIC is best and where can I get it?
I was searching on ebay and some other sites, but I can't find any SMIC's!!! Why???
Please help me....
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 25,581
Likes: 136
From: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
I'd start by looking at other guys cars on Forum and then deciding what you need,what you can afford and what you can use.
The Classifieds is always a good spot to look at parts "up close" to see if the part will suit your needs.
The Classifieds is always a good spot to look at parts "up close" to see if the part will suit your needs.
I believe that one of the old rx7 websites (fd3s.net or something) actually has the volume of all the popular SMICs. It's difficult, though because many of them require aftermarket ducting to ensure proper flow (blitz smic being the exception).
Another option is doing what I did. I used a CXRacing intercooler and a pettit duct (which match up well), along with a Rotary Extreme battery box and Odyssey battery. The battery stays in it's stock location, the intercooler volume is probably 10x that of the stock unit, it's incredibly easy to do, and all of it probably amounts to the same cost as a small SMIC.
I doubt the stock air box will fit, but if you EVER see yourself going single turbo this is a great way to go and save money in the long run.
Another option is doing what I did. I used a CXRacing intercooler and a pettit duct (which match up well), along with a Rotary Extreme battery box and Odyssey battery. The battery stays in it's stock location, the intercooler volume is probably 10x that of the stock unit, it's incredibly easy to do, and all of it probably amounts to the same cost as a small SMIC.
I doubt the stock air box will fit, but if you EVER see yourself going single turbo this is a great way to go and save money in the long run.
Old thread but post #10 has a picture of a Greddy---> https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...nstall-542192/
I think the Greddy SMIC is still available through some specialty RX7 vendors. Try a Google search.
Way back in the day Mazda sold MAZDASPEED SMICs. They used the OEM duct but weren't significantly larger than OEM. As I recall their big claim was being all metal. They also were suspiciously similar in appearence to the ARC SMIC which you also still see come up occasionally....usually on Ebay. But I don't think either offered much in the way of improved IATs.
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If you're talking about performance...yes. At least in the case of the FD.
A 'V' mount is typically larger than SMIC because it can be. Another major advantage IMO is that a VMIC by design doesn't scavange air from the radiator face but doesn't obstruct air flow like a FMIC would either. All other factors being equal, that means somewhat lower IAT's than a SMIC without risk of hotter engine temps.
If you're talking price, maybe not. A VMIC set-up is going to be completely custom and require alot more plumbing, which drives the cost up. It will also require repositioning of the radiator and some other components, especially if you retain things like the A/C. Are the IAT's that much lower than a SMIC to make it worth the cost and effort?
VMIC vs. SMIC vs. FMIC is really a decision based on budget, ambition, ability to fabricate and modify, power level and use of the car.
A 'V' mount is typically larger than SMIC because it can be. Another major advantage IMO is that a VMIC by design doesn't scavange air from the radiator face but doesn't obstruct air flow like a FMIC would either. All other factors being equal, that means somewhat lower IAT's than a SMIC without risk of hotter engine temps.
If you're talking price, maybe not. A VMIC set-up is going to be completely custom and require alot more plumbing, which drives the cost up. It will also require repositioning of the radiator and some other components, especially if you retain things like the A/C. Are the IAT's that much lower than a SMIC to make it worth the cost and effort?
VMIC vs. SMIC vs. FMIC is really a decision based on budget, ambition, ability to fabricate and modify, power level and use of the car.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Germany, Bielefeld
If you're talking about performance...yes. At least in the case of the FD.
A 'V' mount is typically larger than SMIC because it can be. Another major advantage IMO is that a VMIC by design doesn't scavange air from the radiator face but doesn't obstruct air flow like a FMIC would either. All other factors being equal, that means somewhat lower IAT's than a SMIC without risk of hotter engine temps.
If you're talking price, maybe not. A VMIC set-up is going to be completely custom and require alot more plumbing, which drives the cost up. It will also require repositioning of the radiator and some other components, especially if you retain things like the A/C. Are the IAT's that much lower than a SMIC to make it worth the cost and effort?
VMIC vs. SMIC vs. FMIC is really a decision based on budget, ambition, ability to fabricate and modify, power level and use of the car.
A 'V' mount is typically larger than SMIC because it can be. Another major advantage IMO is that a VMIC by design doesn't scavange air from the radiator face but doesn't obstruct air flow like a FMIC would either. All other factors being equal, that means somewhat lower IAT's than a SMIC without risk of hotter engine temps.
If you're talking price, maybe not. A VMIC set-up is going to be completely custom and require alot more plumbing, which drives the cost up. It will also require repositioning of the radiator and some other components, especially if you retain things like the A/C. Are the IAT's that much lower than a SMIC to make it worth the cost and effort?
VMIC vs. SMIC vs. FMIC is really a decision based on budget, ambition, ability to fabricate and modify, power level and use of the car.
.....Way back in the day Mazda sold MAZDASPEED SMICs. They used the OEM duct but were not significantly larger than OEM. As I recall their big claim was being all metal. They also were suspiciously similar in appearence to the ARC SMIC which you also still see come up occasionally....usually on Ebay. But I don't think either offered much in the way of improved IATs.
IIRC, Knights Sport SMICs are a design that essentially sandwiches two ic cores. Not sure how they are plumbed for the FD. Intuitively that design makes me suspect alot of pressure drop too, but I've never seen flow data.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Germany, Bielefeld
I wonder if it is good to replace the battery in the trunk to change the weight of the front.....
By doing this, it gets easier to install a good Vmount IC
