If lower AITs are the goal, which is the best way to accomplish it? Go with a CAI setup (ie relocate the air filter) or install a larger, decent quality intercooler? Its cheaper to go with the CAI setup, but cost aside, would there still be any benefit to a CAI if you're 'upgrading' the intercooler?

I'm doing some upgrades (headers, test pipes, crank pulley) and just installed a spearco intercooler that is 4 inches wider than the stock vortech IC (PN 5-312 vs 5-374). I'm debating whether there is any point to going with a CAI setup again (sold my first setup last year) given the larger intercooler. Anyway, I figured you guys would have some good insights on this!

 

It's much more important to cool the PRESSURIZED air....which is where it gets heated up, not the pre pressurized intake (although it can't hurt to cool that air as well).

 

Bigger intercooler, by far...good choice on the 5-312, I used to use that until I got the YSi; now using the 5-364...

And then you can always use water/meth...

BTW, what AIT temps are you seeing?

 

neither.


meth injection. or just keep it real simple and do water injection.

 

You increased the cooling surface area by approx 20%..As requested , do you have any pre/post AIT data?? I am thinking about a swap but good data would be helpful...

As to the CAI, I would not expect the temp difference would be significant nor worth the cost. How much modification was required to fit the 5-312?

 

intercooler

stock vortech intercooler is undersized to begin with.

 

i figured as much, but since i have everything apart and it'd be easy to put the CAI back on, it made me wonder whether it would even make a difference in light of the new (to me) intercooler
temps just dropped dramatically out here this weekend so its tough to judge before/after. i'd see AITs climb to 110-120F on pulls to redline before (3.12" pulley; 9.5-10 psi) depending on temp before I mashed the throttle. i'm not going to get into boost until i have the car retuned next week, but will report back with the results.

btw, 350z006, that is a monster intercooler you've got!

i appreciate the feedback folks!

 

Not much modification was required. The 5-312 I got was from a turbonetics kit so it already had mounting brackets pre-sized to line up with the holes in my core support. I cut the stock vortech piping back about 2" on each side of the intercooler and put a bead in the ends using a crimping tool from home depot.

oh yeah, size comparison:

 

I'm thinking about upgrading my stock intercooler too. Where did you buy the 5-312? Directly from Turbonetics?

 

I bought it from a guy in socal. I had been looking for a 5-312 or a 5-375 for a while, so i snapped it up when it popped up in the marketplace.

 

I also snatched one (5-312) up from a member here not to long ago for my build. Im going to try to sell the new vortech one hopefully I get a bite, lol...

 

That would be me, lol, enjoy the intercooler

and bigc, you won't believe this, but I managed to keep my crash bar with the 5-364...and you have no idea what hell I went through to do it modifying the crash bar/mount setup multiple times to get htis to fit...I'll post pics when my YSi build is done...here's a pic of the difference between the 5-312 and 5-364...

 

If you guys are looking for some solid intercoolers, have a look here:

http://www.treadstoneperformance.com...A+Intercoolers

These have been working very well for me, and do a great job at cooling. I use the TRV259 with the BP turbo kits, and they have proven to work great at about 600whp gaining only about 12-15deg at 19psi on the dyno.

Also have a TR12 (4.5" thick) on the way for a PTE7175 build, and expec it to do well also.

 

Thats one massive IC makes mines look tiny! Can't wait to see what your build puts down!! If i ever upgrade and im in need of a bigger IC, I might have to pay you a visit so you can install mines and keep my crash bar. I would pay you of course! Plus I have family in paramont I havent seen since last year.

 

why would you go with a core that flow less and supports less HP on a bigger turbo?

 

+1

...and he states, "they have proven to work great at about 600whp". Since when has anyone made 600whp with a BP kit?

 

There is a lot more surface area, and the charged air will spend more time in teh FMIC, cooling it better.

I am waiting for race gas so I can get to 600

 

OH SNAP! That's a total flip flop compared to your past posts that touted the virtues/advantages of the vertical flow FMIC in your kit versus the larger horizontal flow FMIC's used in other kits.

 

This is still true, but I can not fit a 12" tall vertical core behind the OEM Z bumper. With proper end tanks the total height would be 18"

Are you going to provide some constructive feedback or just troll? I am not going to play these games with you..if you have a point to prove PM me.

 

I think it's funny that you flip flop on statements when it suits you. What you call trolling I call holding a vendor accountable for their prior marketing statements that are in stark contrast to current statements or reality (like your statement that the FMIC on your kit has been "proven to work great at about 600whp" when I have yet to see a BP kit make 600whp).