FMIC Choice, Need Advice!

[guitarXgeek]

What's up guys, it's finally time for me to get off my lazy (and broke) ass and buy a FMIC. Now, I've got the hookup on intercooler piping so don't worry about that. A good friend of mine knows a guy that is AWESOME with custom fabricating piping and welding. In fact, this guy did my friend's entire turbo setup, including the external wastegate off the manifold rerouted back into the downpipe that HE made, as well as all of the intercooler piping. Did I mention that this guy also made my friend's tubular manifold? It's absolutely beautiful and I really wish I could get some pictures of it. Anyways, just know I've got the short-route IC piping covered

Here are the two IC's I've narrowed it down to...

The first is the Street Imports 24x12x3 tube/fin intercooler. The reason it's so damn cheap is because it is part of a sale they had a couple weeks ago. All of their ebay stuff are the items that are currently on sale. The same exact 24x12x3 IC sells for $349 on their website, so it's a damn good deal. In fact, it's kind of hard to pass up. I know you're thinking, "it seems like an off-brand cheap ebay IC", but I've seen this company's intercooler in person (local dsmer has one) and it looks/performs wonderfully. The ONLY reason I have not already bought this intercooler is that I believe it is a bit too big for me. It gets DAMN hot and humid here in good ole' Alabama in the summer, so overheating would definitely be an issue. Also, I don't know the flow characteristics of the core and that is the most important thing to me since I'll later have a water/alky injection kit that will do most of the cooling. I've also noticed that this intercooler looks strikingly similar in size/design to the Greddy "Big" 24r intercooler. I'm not a big fan of the Greddy IC's, so I really am kinda sceptical of this one too.
The ebay add - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...976053295&rd=1
The same IC listed on their website (this has a couple more specs) - http://www.streetimports.com/product_details.asp?id=357


Here is the second choice, another eBay intercooler. The core is extruded tube and fin, "rated at 750hp". However, this one has the actual flow specs and pressure drop numbers in addition to rating it by "horsepower". The core size is 20x8x3.5" and flows 936 cfm @ 1.5psi pressure drop. Those specs aren't too bad, especially the flow number. Even though it is a tiny bit smaller than the other choice, it almost seems like it will do a better job cooling and flowing. I also like the fact that it's only 8" tall, so overheating wouldn't be much of an issue. The ONLY reason I haven't bought this one yet is because it's $295 compared to the 24x12x3 that is $179. If you think about it, though, the $179 will probably end up costing more because I'll most likely have to buy more/bigger fans to keep the coolant temps down. Also, $295 + $150 (what I was quoted for by the guy who's doing my piping) = $445 which is still REALLY freaking cheap for a nice short-route FMIC setup.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW


EDIT>> I'd also like to add this intercooler to the battle. It's the Street Imports 21x9x3 tube/fin intercooler. It's $299 and I think it is sized perfectly for me, but again I'm not sure if the other intercoolers would be a better choice. The specs on this one: ~800 cfm, tube/fin, "supports 550hp".
http://www.streetimports.com/product_details.asp?id=359

I need some feedback from you guys as to what you think would be the best option. Regardless, I WILL be purchasing an intercooler TOMORROW (hopefully ). So, please let me which you think is the best choice and also be sure to let me know WHY you think that.

Thanks in advance!

-Matt

[joemathews]

Wow, no bar and plate cores in that lineup? In all honesty, the prices on the smaller bar and plate cores seem way to high. You should be able to find comparable cores on ebay for less than $100 more than the larger Street Imports fmic. If they were all the same price, I would suggest option 2. See if you can't find that for cheaper!

[clipsekid99]

Have you seen this ebay ic?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...sPageName=WDVW

Seems like a pretty good deal. I don't really like that the inlet and outlet is 3' because unless you are going to go through the trouble of getting a bigger throttle body, the 2.5 inlet/outlet/piping would be good.

I am looking into this one.... http://forceinductionracing.com/lafrmoin24x1.html even though it is $280

[guitarXgeek]

Originally Posted by joemathews

Wow, no bar and plate cores in that lineup? In all honesty, the prices on the smaller bar and plate cores seem way to high. You should be able to find comparable cores on ebay for less than $100 more than the larger Street Imports fmic. If they were all the same price, I would suggest option 2. See if you can't find that for cheaper!

While the bar/plate cores are more efficient, the internal drag coefficient is usually higher than tube/fin designs, and I am looking for a core that has GREAT internal (charge air) and external (ambient air through the intercooler) flow while maintaining a nice cooling efficiency. The extruded tube cores offer the closest characteristics that I want, especially when size and price come into the equation.

You have to remember though, water/alky injection is on my list of things to buy, so a bar/plate core that is only ~6-8% more efficient isn't going to be worth the extra money I'll have to shell out for one that has a decently low internal/external drag coefficient as well. This is my main reason for choosing tube/fin and extruded tube cores to pick from.

Any 24x12x3 core is almost out of the question for me now. I really don't want to run a core that large unless it's extruded tube with rounded tube noses so that external drag coefficient is low (in other words, it needs to allow for good flow to the radiator, which most ebay bar/plate cores don't offer). A 9" or 10" tall core is ideal for me.

I think if I can keep the intercooler itself under ~$350 I'll be happy. I'm open to other options, but I really really want to order it no later than this Sunday, so let me know asap

[JoeWagon]

24x12 is huge, although the greddy big fmic is 21x11 I believe. The 21x9x3 looks good to me, I'm going to want something shorter because I'm rockin' the smaller talon front bumper cover.

[kjewer1]

I wouldn't go shorter just because the opening is shorter (if I'm understanding what you meant). Most of the airflow is going to stay near the inlet/outlet, which is at the bottom, in the opeining. The top part that doesnt get much ambient airflow wont get much charge air either. But that little bit of air that goes up there can reduce the pressure drop in the main part of the core, which can result in a net gain. I still think bigger is better for ICs, assuming you dont overheat and all the other drawbacks... There are good reasons to go with shorter cores, but I dont think the shorter opening is enough of an issue to warrant it on its own...