after checking out posts and dyno numbers and build threads here lately i notice a lot of people upgrade the intercoolers rather early on the evo x.

-is there a problem with it that it alway seems to be one of peoples first upgrades?
-at what horsepower or boost levels does it become restrictive?
-can you make 300whp without upgrading?

sorry if it may be a noob question. im currently in the middle of parting out my 650rwhp mustang and trade in my svt focus so i can buy an evo x and im trying to get my first round of mods list ready so i can start ordering right away after i pick up the car.

 

First of all Congratulations for finally choosing to come to the dark side and gettin rid of the pony mobile,lol!

Second im sure there in "Nothing"wrong with the OEM IC.But u gotta remember in the aftermarket world they will always find a way to make something work "Better".In this case less restrictive and more efficient.

My first upgrades were IC piping,Intake,and a Cat-back.Of Course a tune also and im at 289whp.Now becuz of the factory tune and retune is said to make on average about 40hp more over stock.In my case at was closer to 60hp.That was last year in July.However now in just a matter of days the parts i have sittin in boxes in my room...AMS FMIC,AMS DP,just waiting on my wheels and tires no come in,Im goin to go mack to my tuner shop and add my last major/basic upgrades and im am sure to b well over 300hp.

To answer ur question about make 300whp w/o upgrading...mayb its possible but these basic upgrades we do are just the essential "breath easy" mods we do to make the car feel better that just so happens to increase power and torque...but thats just the way I think.Good Luck on ur purchase and upgrades...I cant wait to put my DP and IC in!

 

Many guys like to upgrade the FMIC very early on. In terms of gains, I don't believe this is an cost effective mod on while on the stock turbo. Personally, I wouldn't upgrade the stock intercooler until one of the following conditions was met:

(a) I upgraded to a higher flowing turbo
(b) I was road racing and wanted to reduce the chance of heatsoak on the IC
(c) I lived in death valley

Depending on the dyno, you can make 350whp all day without upgrading the FMIC. I did!

 

im well aware of what intercooler inefficiencies can do, ive dealt with major boost loss issues with an inferior intercooler i got from a friend that i used on my mustang. after i upgraded the intercooler i was able to see the full 22#s of boost i was looking for. i was more or less just curious about the efficiency of the stock intercooler. i couldnt imagine the stock intercooler needing upgrading on an otherwise stock car. i will definately upgrade it, just trying to figure out what order to do everything in an effort to make the car look and perform how i want it at first.

and judging by this reply. ill leave the fmic upgrade for my second round of mods....or for when i move to arizona next year lol.