Eventually im going to pick up a bigger FMIC after I get all my other priority mods done first but I have a question on the thickness. I see alot of people getting the 3.5" cores but im not planning on getting a bigger turbo. Im wondering if the 3.5" would be overkill on the stock turbo compared to say a 3" core. Or it really doesn't matter and the 3.5" is fine, im not sure. I read somewhere that the bigger the core, the more area the air has to fill up before continuing out of the FMIC causing more lag without that much gain (stockish turbos, not 30r+ etc). Thanks

 

Buy the best the first time. Buschur Racing Race FMIC.

 

3.5 is bigger then you need but my no means is it over kill. I see no reason to think about going any bigger then a 3.5 inch though. The 3inch will save you a tad bit of spool, so if it were me that would be the direction i would go with.

 

I've been curious about this... Does anyone have any data on the difference that intercooler volume makes on spool characteristics?

 

Nothing against the OP however if I see one more thread on this forum about aftermarket FMIC's. I'm gonna

Now Buschur fans will start
Then the ETS fans will start
Then the Niesi fans
Then the AMS fans
Then the Turbo XS fans
Then the Perrin fans
Next some idiot will tell you to buy one off EBAY.


Untill a third party company does back to back same day testing on some of these big name IC's no one will ever know for sure whats best period....

To all cause you all make kick *** products

 

I'm not buschur built or running their larger turbos, but I have their stage 1 and 2 packages installed. All I can say is that their parts put down a huge amount of power. I'm sure their FMIC will do the same.

 

lol a front mount isnt going to put huge power down.. just enable other parts to function properly..

it doesnt matter what brand it is.. the OP isnt asking fro brand hes asking for size..

3.5 would be fine aswell as 3 inch.. any bigger and your overkill

 

So... sounds like you guys are saying that there is no discernable difference in spool characteristics between the volumes of a 3" and 3.5" intercooler?

 

You know, I find it really funny how a lot of people on here think. You think just because it’s bigger, it’s going to have more lag. While from a volume standpoint, you are correct. It takes more time to fill a larger volume.

So let’s compare the stock FMIC and the BR Race FMIC using a stock turbo. There is a difference of ~725 cubic inches of volume between the two intercoolers. Wow….that’s a lot. It’s going to be pretty laggy I bet on the stock turbo.

Based on HP numbers being made, I’m guessing the stock turbo flows about 40 CFM of air.

So I do some devil math and witchcraft and I come up with it taking about 0.6 seconds of additional time to fill up the intercooler. OK, that’s not too bad. Not great…but not to bad.

But the other thing everyone seems to forget about is pressure drop and efficiency across an intercooler. Pressure and temperature going into the intercooler will never be the same as pressure and temperature coming out of the intercooler. The less pressure drop, the better the core is. The larger the temperature drop, the better the core is. Also, those two things will greatly effect the additional lag that may happen or not happen when installing an aftermarket intercooler.

It’s a pretty common fact that aftermarket performance parts are better than factory parts and the intercooler is no different. They have a lower pressure drop and larger temperature drops. So that 0.6 seconds of lag we get from increasing volume will be negated due to the better efficiency.

 

That is a completely WRONG statement. You put a more effecient intercooler on a car and it drops intake air temps 30*F. You don't think the car isn't going to make more power?!?!?!

 

Yes it might, but the inter coolers you and the BUSCHCREW run are basically heatsinks, they are SOOOOOO over sized for the majroity of stock turbo setups, the amount of weight and pressure drop you pick up for your ability to lower IAT's is getting close to if not past the point of diminishing returns wiht a 3.5-4 inch thick IC on a stock turbo car.

Scorke

 

I just think he should do it all right the first time. He may want to add more and more power and with the Buschur FMIC, you're all ready to go.

ETS and Buschur both make 4" thick ICs. Doesn't mean they flow the same.

 

Watch out guys we have a buschur customer with a calculator, he might of stayed at a holiday inn express last night!!!!

stock turbo flows 40 cfm... yeah... you're like a multiple of 14 off....

Ask your tuner what inter cooler he or she recommends.

Scorke

 

I believe ETS is a true 4 inch unless you get the garrett core then it is 3.75 inchs. The Buschur i belive only comes with the garrett core so it would be 3.75 inchs as well.

 

Yes I am only asking about size not brand for the reason of company fans which im trying to avoid. Thanks to everyone who replied and SloRice for the explanation.