Ive been in the market for an upgraded intercooler for a while now, just havent pulled the trigger or gathered the money for it. Well I am close to having the money put away for it and I am debating getting the black powdercoated version of it. Ive asked this question before but never got a clear answer. So first of all, does anyone else here have the powdercoated TMIC? Also, does the black color increase the heat soak of the intercooler (therefore decreasing the performance gains)? From experience I know that black parts tend to show dirt/imperfections more than chrome or silver, this doesnt normally worry me except for the fact that the welds of this piece are so visible, so that worrys me as well. If anyone can give me some insight into any of these questions, especially about the heat soak, I'd really appreciate it.... Thanks!
ETS TMIC question
- Thread starter jbiird317
- Start date
thanks man, thats exactly the info I was looking for. My basic physics/chemistry knowledge tells me that darker colors retain their heat more, so powdercoating didnt make sense, i guess I just needed to hear it from someone else too haha.
As for the 3.5" core, I know we started this discussion in another thread, but clearance of the hood ducting is ok with no trimming? Also, I see the PG website reccomends upgraded motor mounts if youre going with the 3.5" core for the ms6, have you noticed a need for the upgrade with yours?
opinions other than driver's are welcome too, haha
USAF_TRobertson
Member
I have read alot of people are suggesting buying the 3.25" vs the 3.5". I guess the 3.5" is so much taller that it blocks almost all of the air from hitting the actual intercooler and instead all of the air just deflects of the face of it. I think I was reading this on the "other" forum... you might want to check it out unless you already madeup your mind. I am pretty sure someone did a comparison and proved the 3.25" was actually more effective then the 3.5" though.
Here... http://www."insert the other forum here".com/index.php?topic=90665.0
Here... http://www."insert the other forum here".com/index.php?topic=90665.0
detsilverms3
Member
- :
- 08 Speed 3
Crazy talk I say. LOL
Everytime I pop the hood of my car the tmic freezing cold along with my intake. I know for a fact it has no choice but to flow more air and cool it off more too. Same core just more volume and depth. Clearance is not an issue, and I rail the s*** outa my car. (dunno)
yeah ive heard this argument before but it just doesnt make sense to me.... its taller so now all the sudden air doesnt go through it, it just deflects off it? I realize that with the current setup some of the air is diverted around the intercooler, but i wouldnt think that this is a necessity for maximum air flow through the IC....maybe im missing something, but this just doesnt make sense to me
^^^ Exactly. It's not hard to see that the ducting creates a closed system around the tmic, where else is the air going to go but through the tmic.
What I've read about the thicker core is that most of the air goes through the first half of the ic face. Having said that, if air was deflecting off the face of the tmic would it not be deflected through the second half of the ic anyway?
What I've read about the thicker core is that most of the air goes through the first half of the ic face. Having said that, if air was deflecting off the face of the tmic would it not be deflected through the second half of the ic anyway?
Its because people dont have enough common sense to figure out how it all works. Itslike the people who think you need a grill in front of your radiator, when in acuallity, the air coming from underneath the bumper is cooling.If you are at all concerned about the not enough airflow myth, use some washers and bolts and build a spacer to raise the cooler high off the valve cover.
Under pressure, air is going to flow, regardless.
Under pressure, air is going to flow, regardless.
That all depends and maybe I am crazy but it makes sense to me.
How much room is left above the 3.5 core until it reaches the plastic shroud? If there is say .5", then wouldn't 1" allow more flow over the entire core? As long as the air going in has sufficient flow and pressure, then no, it might not make a different if it's 3.5".
I can see though how if the tolerances were really close how somebody could say that a 3.25" would be a better setup.
It's like the best range of boost for our turbos. If you run it in it's effeciency range, you get the most out of it. Same for the airflow required to maximize the useage of the TMIC. If you need 1" of space for full airflow and you only have .5" (even though it's a bigger IC), then wouldn't that reduce the amount of air flow over the cooler which would then negate the larger size advantage?
The main issue being the size of the TMIC shroud and it's limitations on airflow.
How much room is left above the 3.5 core until it reaches the plastic shroud? If there is say .5", then wouldn't 1" allow more flow over the entire core? As long as the air going in has sufficient flow and pressure, then no, it might not make a different if it's 3.5".
I can see though how if the tolerances were really close how somebody could say that a 3.25" would be a better setup.
It's like the best range of boost for our turbos. If you run it in it's effeciency range, you get the most out of it. Same for the airflow required to maximize the useage of the TMIC. If you need 1" of space for full airflow and you only have .5" (even though it's a bigger IC), then wouldn't that reduce the amount of air flow over the cooler which would then negate the larger size advantage?
The main issue being the size of the TMIC shroud and it's limitations on airflow.
AutoXRacer
Member
I just got off the phone with PG. I asked them about the TMIC and what size they recommend. Since I live in Florida and the temps out here get a little hot, they said to go with the 3.5...
I am also concerned on whether to go with the 3.25 or the 3.5. I don't want to go over-kill and I don't want to buy something I don't need. If there is not a difference in performance between the 3.5 and the 3.25, then I'd rather go with the 3.25.
Also, is there a issue with pressure drop over the 3.5 unit?
Doesn't a bigger core have more volume thus increasing turbo lag to fill up that larger volume?
Are there any fitment issues with the larger core?
Just thinking out loud... Thanks for the help!! (2thumbs)
I am also concerned on whether to go with the 3.25 or the 3.5. I don't want to go over-kill and I don't want to buy something I don't need. If there is not a difference in performance between the 3.5 and the 3.25, then I'd rather go with the 3.25.
Also, is there a issue with pressure drop over the 3.5 unit?
Doesn't a bigger core have more volume thus increasing turbo lag to fill up that larger volume?
Are there any fitment issues with the larger core?
Just thinking out loud... Thanks for the help!! (2thumbs)
There is no pressure drop with ETS's design. Go with the 3.5 like the rest of us
And to Chacon... it doesnt matter if there is 1 " gap or a .5" gap atop of the shroud... the air has to go somewhere since its being forced inside the intercooler. The air has more potential to swirl around before dropping with a larger hat clearance than if there is a lower one. Also, the lower the gap from the top of the intercooler, the faster the air will go through it.
And to Chacon... it doesnt matter if there is 1 " gap or a .5" gap atop of the shroud... the air has to go somewhere since its being forced inside the intercooler. The air has more potential to swirl around before dropping with a larger hat clearance than if there is a lower one. Also, the lower the gap from the top of the intercooler, the faster the air will go through it.
I got the 3.25 ets-tmic and the 88 duro mount and the heat shroud still banged on the firewall a little bit with wheelhop just took my dremmel drill to it and never had the problem again . Good quality intercooler notable but not that noticeable power increase but don't be surprised if any of your mounts on it are bent but maybe that problems been addressed since . It'b be a shame to take the vise grips to the purdy black powder coat and dremmel to boot .
doubt the coat would make much a loss since the fins are what dissipate the heat .
doubt the coat would make much a loss since the fins are what dissipate the heat .
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- :
- ‘19 CX-5 GTR Tu
I ran the ETS 3.25 TMIC on my speed6 during summer months. Even in hot weather, stop & go traffic, with A/C on it performed excellent.
Heat soak wasn't really as much of an issue as it was w/ the stocker.
I def suggest this mod as hit really brings this car to life. When running a CAI & upgraded BOV you can really start to feel the car pull.
Expect some boost spikes with the TMIC upgrade..i saw upwards of 17-18psi!!
-C
As for the color, painting it or PC WILL reduce efficiency...anodizing is a good option and doesn't hurt it near as much as the previous two.
As for the color, it doesn't matter that its black since the color with regards to heat is only an issue when in direct sunlight, which is not the case for us.
As for the color, it doesn't matter that its black since the color with regards to heat is only an issue when in direct sunlight, which is not the case for us.
AutoXRacer
Member
I'm kind of glad that many recommend the 3.5 inch core...
I just can't seem to get over all the discussions on how a bigger core is thicker, reduces efficiency with the stock turbo, etc, etc....(blah)
There were so heavy discussions on this.
But it seems the majority of the people out there have the 3.25 core and just a few have the 3.5. I still need to research a little more...
Though, is there no doubt that the bigger core is less prone to heat soak (thats what PG told me)? Thats its better in a high heat enviornment than the smaller 3.25 core...? I would have figured, more material (metal), more chances for heat soak... (scratch)
I just can't seem to get over all the discussions on how a bigger core is thicker, reduces efficiency with the stock turbo, etc, etc....(blah)
There were so heavy discussions on this.
But it seems the majority of the people out there have the 3.25 core and just a few have the 3.5. I still need to research a little more...
Though, is there no doubt that the bigger core is less prone to heat soak (thats what PG told me)? Thats its better in a high heat enviornment than the smaller 3.25 core...? I would have figured, more material (metal), more chances for heat soak... (scratch)
