Well, I was just looking around the net for parts for my RA, and I found this on AutoCityImports.

http://autocityimports.com/2009-mits...iv-p-8403.html



I realize that there isn't a significant size difference over stock, but the design of the GReddy IC looks a little bit better than that of the stock IC. Plus, I am a little warey of replacing my stock IC with the much larger EVO X IC without replacing the turbo (which is not going to happen until the warranty is up). In fact, I don't plan to go much past an Injen CAI, HKS Legamax exhaust, and GReddy IC (I am considering buying the Injen UICP as well) until that time anyways.

Any thoughts? Beyond basic construction and design, I have no clue what makes an intercooler superior to another. I realize that SA is very important as well as the shape an size of the inlet and outlets. Other than that, I guess that I am basically asking: would I be wasting my money (assuming that the goal is a cooler intake charge without pressure loss) by buying that aftermarket intercooler?

 

only thing ive noticed that may be a problem with this setup is that they are just using their standard i/c design with the inlet/outlet tubes on the sides of the end tanks:

instead of custom engineering an end tank for us with an inlet at the top left hand side, they use a goofy pipe with a whole lot of pretty sharp curvature to get the charge into the i/c. it may be nothing really, but it just seems like they took the easy way out and slapped this together without dedicating a whole lot of time and that worries me a little that the rest of the quality may suffer as well.

like i said, this is just speculation and means nothing really until someone gets some flow and temperature comparisons between this and stock, but i personally would rather go with a setup especially desiged for our style turbo/intercooler setup with the 4b11t motor, ie: AMS, ETS, etc..

 

this is designed specifically for the ralliart (4B11T) =\ .. also the flow and temp readings were posted before in the greddy fmic thread so you can probably do a search to find it..

 

considering it comes with the lower IC pipe, and piping that would match up with Upper intercooler pipes from other brands id have to say this is a REALLY good price.

 

That's a pretty small intercooler for this setup. The RalliArt already has a very small intercooler. I would recommend going with a larger intercooler.

 

I run an evoX intercooler with UR piping, and it works very well

 

what i've been thinking is that if we run a larger front mount ala the evo x, will it be a wasted considering the top of the front mount will be behind the reinforcement bar, so no fresh air will pass? the x has those cut outs which feeds the top, are we being entertained by the idea of a bigger intercooler without the full benefits? so would something like this greddy designed to maximise the core in the space provided be a better outcome?

 

even if the top of the intercooler (evox) on the ralliart isnt open to fresh air directly, it still allows for the larger surface area to disperse the heat quicker and more reliably.

 

That is EXACTLY what I was thinking.

However, it sounds like the consensus is that this IC is just too small.

 

Warning: I am a F/I n00b.

I have seriously considering simply swapping out my IC for the EVO X IC and just buying the INJEN UICP (the price is right, and I currently have INJEN parts on my Eclipse and have never had an issue with them).

I know that I probably won't see any gains from this setup, what so ever (nor do I really expect to, frankly), but here is my revised plan: Injen CAI, Injen UICP, HKS Centerpipe, and HKS Legamax Exhaust. (That should pretty much get me prepared for the ultimate conclusion) v

Eventually, when I grow a pair of *****, I might decide to do the entire EVO X turbo swap (which will include IC and UR piping). But, until I swap out the turbo, I can't see myself buying an IC with a core that is significantly larger than mine, for now.

****, there goes my spending money for the next couple months...

 

That is a pretty small IC. I too would recommend picking up say a Evo X IC from someone who upgraded, as it would be much larger, and be able to cool the charge better.

Not to say that the greddy wont make a difference, chances are its thicker, so it may add to heat disapation that way.

 

I agree 100%. I am just a little bit nervous about pressure loss. I guess my only reason for thinking that way is as follows: I know that Mitsubishi isn't the smartest car manufacturer out there, but why in hell would they put such a small IC on the stock car if they weren't worried about the same thing. I would hate to swap out for the larger EVO X IC and notice a decrease in the already marginal stock performance...

Oh well, I guess as long as I don't tune the stock turbo to within an inch of its life and retard my cams like crazy, it won't kill the engine for the time being if I just leave it as is.

 

what i meant by designed for us is the fact that they still use their standard core and end tanks and only did a custom piping job to make it work; which is cheaper and easier than designing a completely new end tank with a top side inlet. it just seems like they took the easy way out and skimped on customization to rush the product into the market, and makes me wonder what else they may have skimped on. just mho. also still looking for those flow results

 

the pressure loss is almost non existent when moving from the stock IC to the Evox ic.

What little may be lost in pressure is regained in air density anyways.

As for the noob alert above. The injen upper IC pipe wont fit the evo x intercooler. You will need upper pipes fir the Evo to make it work, as the intercooler is a few inches taller

I myself run the UR hard pipes, and the top one is the ralliary piece from the turbo that couples into the evo piece to the intercooler.