I'm wondering whether swapping the sock intercooler for a larger one (such as the unit from AMS or Proven) will yield noticable gains on an otherwise stock car. I know this is a mod usually reserverved for cars with other modifications, but my stock intercooler was damaged slightly and am debating whether to leave it as is or get something a little bigger.

Thoughts?

 

You should expect about 20 hp at the engine with a stock Evo and the AMS intercooler. I can get either one for you and I think it's a GREAT upgrade. I will start there on my Evo !

 

I would ask the reputable tunners that sell them, the stock intercooler is a very good piece. On a stock car there could be little to no gains, so your future plans could be a big part of this decision.
I do know that some testing with an extremely large replacement intercooler on an otherwise stock car, actually lost HP. So you can reach a point where bigger is not always better, I am just saying to be careful. Several people have asked about upgrade intercoolers on otherwise stock car's and no one but flang boy has made a claim, so....

 

on a stock car u will still get AT LEAST 10-20 hp to the engine with a bigger intercooler...bigger intercooler = cooler air = more power... simple as that... of course with more mods the intercooler will give more power but even stock u will get power... its a good upgrade to get i need to upgrade mine soon once i get a damn clutch and so on but just keep in mind that some intercoolers wont work with some turbos ... so plan ahead... i myself was thinking of pruven or ams or hks...

 

Unfortunately it is not that simple, there are several air flow/efficiency characteristics that need to be considered when selecting the apropriate turbo/intercooler for your application. I would want to see some test data from at least one or two reputable sources before spending $1000.
Once you go beyond the apropriate sized intercooler for your application, you get; 1. minimal increases in cooling efficiency, 2. decreased air flow velocity (this is what costs HP), 3. and increased turbo lag, trying to fill up that huge intercooler.

I am not saying that these intercoolers won't help, but that in a near stock application, bigger may not necessarily be better. Any real test data available?
Also keep in mind that intercooler efficiency on a dyno is quite different than on the street. Besides dyno comparisons, you should also look at presure and temperature differences before and after the intercooler, during a 3rd/4th gear pull on the street.

Any fool can call up and spec an intercooler size, end tank size and position. You buy from reputable tuners for the R&D they put into their products, so that you do not have to do it your self.
If they cannot answer basic questions about their product, then you should not buy it, or ask for their guinea pig discount.

 

There was no increase in lag or loss of throttle response with my pruven intercooler - - just 25 extra hp !

 

What else did you have on your car before putting in the intercooler? Just trying to get a sense of what, if anything, I should expect to see on an otherwise stock car.

Thanks everyone for the replies so far. Keep 'em comin'!

 

The turbo is more then capable of generating enough air volume and pressure with those FMICs. And I guess the question is, "do you plan on upgrading the exhaust?" Because naturally that is a big help in getting the turbo spooled sooner an allowing to spin easier.

 

IF ANYTHING your car would run way more consistant and not get heat soak, like in 95 degree rush hour traffic. If it flows more air and won't get as much pressure drop AND has more rows for cooling, its a good investment, I would.

 

I will not be upgrading the exhaust. Just trying to figure out whether the stock car would benefit from a bigger IC.

 

I guess the biggest question I would have is whether or not the additional surface area (on any given FMIC) is exposed to moving air, or if the increased area lies buried behind the bumper.

-Josh

 

It appear's that no one has done upgrade intercooler testing on a stock car? If you decide to get one you might want to ask about that "guinea pig discount".
HP gains on a stock car would be less than on a modified car flowing a lot more air, with higher boost. If your not planning to do other modifications or even raise the boost, then an intercooler upgrade is probably not worth the trouble and expense. Not to mention Mitsu would probably find some excuse to try and void your warranty over it , I know they should'nt but from what I hear, there just looking for excuses to void warranties on these cars, I can't imagine why .

 

Thats not true - pruven ran 1st into the 12's with just a SAFC - boost controller and their fmic - a 12.59 if I recall

 

The man said stock, MBC and AFC is not stock. I believe people are running mid 12's or better on the stock intercooler also, so what. This still does not answer the question; On a completely (and I mean absolutely no other modifications) stock car, how much HP/TQ will you gain (if any) from just replacing the intercooler.
The only test data I have seen shows the stock intercooler has only a 2-3 PSI pressure drop on a modified car running 22-23 PSI, (not bad at all).

 

Christ how much is the Mitsubishi IC?
I'll buy the AMS one and sell him mine for $700.
Hmm...