Hey guys, looking to upgrade the stock intercooler next month and up the boost on my car.

I already have some mods, I plan to up my boost to 13psi, all I need is the intercooler, then get a new tune.

Which intercooler should I go for?

My FD is my dd, no intention of tracking it (maybe 1-2 ever..)

I was looking into a Vmount for better cooling, but front mount is an option.

Throw me ideas/opinions.

Thanks!

 

save up and go V-mount, definitely worth it. Jaime might be selling his soon or you can always contact JTP about making one for you.

 

I would look for something that will replace the stock intercooler, if you're going to DD your ride. Something like a Greddy, Pettit, PFS, and a coupe of others that I can't remember off the top of my head.

V mount will be a really good option too, but be ready to spend a good amount of money, as you'll have to retrofit, your radiator also. Or buying an aluminum one if you don't have one yet.

Fmic will not really be a good idea for DD, as it heat soak while sitting in traffic. Fmic does it's job, but it's more for show just to let everyone know....HEY I'M MODDED....then your car overheats in the next summer season while stuck in traffic....not a pleasant experience at all.

 

I'm leaning more towards the SMIC of Vmount. I rather not have the world know what I have. I think I'll have the money for a Vmount, but I dont know whats a good one.

I don't need something TOO extreme for the streets..

 

FYI- Vmounts usually means you have to remove the AC system. If you care about that then make sure that you verify that the kit you are interested in doesn’t require deletion of the AC.
Agreed. IMO just stick to stock replacements easy installation and much improvement over stock.
Given where the FMIC sits it is the least likely to get heat soaked.

FD3S_B00ST,

Here is the skinny on the IC’s for our cars.
The stocker:
it’s sucks, it’s too small (doesn’t cool all that well) and it heat soaks easily. I have a friend who has a Power FC (and thus can look at AIT’s) and his average temps range from 55 C - 65 C on a 25 C day (70 F). I thought it was rather high so I did some research and it turned out other that had the stock SMIC experienced similar temps (you also have a PFC so what are yours?). BTW I had a PFS SMIC and I saw temps in the mid 40’s on average. Yeah big difference.

Aftermarket SMIC’s :
Stealth and easiest to install. Depending on what size it may range from straight drop in replacement to removal of stock battery and stock intake. The SMIC’s experience the highest in AIT’s but they are still great improvement over stock. They are also prone to heatsoak, and are quite useless if not used with a duct. Car suffers no change in water cooling capabilities, so as far as keeping your car’s coolant cool it is the best option. One thing to note: People have has fitment issues with some SMIC ducts when used in conjuction with a thick aftermarket radiator (Koyo). Stick to a fluidyne (it is still thicker than stock) rad for best results.

FMIC:
Cop/thief magnet as it screams that you are modified. Not a straight drop in as the radiator has to be relocated and bumper removed in order to install the FMIC. It is the best option for keeping the AIT’s low as they always receive cool fresh air. Many people report AIT’s very close to ambient (if it’s 25C outside they see 25C) . Hard to heatsoak given that the IC sits in the bumper and away from the engine bay. Given that the radiator sits behind the IC it is the worst candidate for engine cooling. The proper way to have a FMIC is make sure that fresh air is ducted to the radiator. A thick aftermarket radiator should be used.

Vmount:
Can be stealth unless you actually know what a Vmount setup is but that information is rare to non 7 owners. The best of both worlds but costs the most amount of money and it takes the most amount of work to install. The IC and the rad share fresh air from the outside. For best results all gaps must be sealed and duct must be installed so air is forced through the units. If installed correctly the vmount setup will yield AIT’s close (if not identical) to FMIC cars and will retain the cooling capabilities of SMIC one’s as well. Radiator sits low and thus the fans sit too low for some people. Most units require deletion of AC.

Personally and IMO the best setup for the street:
Med size SMIC used with A.I. Easiest to install, not a cop magnet and the A.I. negates the higher AIT’s. Just make sure you have a duct! Seriously over the years I’ve seen many people without them and they were worse off than stock.

Edit- I have a street car and my choice was a SMIC.

 

Get ready to move your battery if you do anything other than an SMIC, and even some of those require you to put it in the bins...which screws the pooch at the smog shop.

 

oh...i didn't mean heatsoak for the fmic....what I meant to say was, block airflow to the radiator

 

aw ok, agreed.

 

in Socal the best intercooler is the one you get away with. Greddy or Blitz or PFS smic should do the job. get one from the FS section for cheep

 

WOW!
Thanks Montego for ALL the very useful information. I'll be sure to consider everything you've said and keep that in mind when its actually time for me to pick up.

Thanks again!!

 

Jaime is selling his Vmount, just fyi

 

I too am wanting to switch to SMIC, thinking greddy or PFS after talking to a few people

 

ended up going vmount

love it!

 

nice choice -

I ended up buying a new car instead

 

what did you get???

 

E46 m3

 

nice

 

Op, which vmount did you go with? A/C Delete?

 

I did a custom vmount, and yes I had to get rid of the AC.


AC pump is heavy! rather not have that in my car haha