I know this is a pretty noob question but I was wondering what the best size Intercooler would be for a bolt-on build MR. I'm not looking to break my SST but just looking for a bit more punch and was curious if I'd even benefit from anything over 3-4".

 

no not really.

in face the stock IC is fine for a stock turbo. you might get 10-15hp if you get a tune with it, or 5-10 without a tune (ish)

but go with a 3-3.6, 4 is not needed at all. plus if you ever get a bigger radiator it will be a PITA to get a 4in IC to fit.

Perrins is 3.6, and a really nice quality piece. I have a mishimoto Xline radiator and i had problems getting the IC in. As it is now, it sits directly against the condensor.

anyways if you want to get one, you should go with 3-3.5

 

Ams!

 

im still trying to debate what one i want to go with. I would like to go with AMS because thats the piping im going with, but AMS 3.5" IC is $700+....ETS for the same size is $400....$700 could get me the 4.0" IC.

 

+1

 

I have the ETS 3.5", love it.

 

AMS is nice but so pricey, you can almost do a ETS FMIC Kit for 200 dollars more. But if you got the feds do it.

I like PERRIN but even more expensive than AMS haha

 

On the GSR we picked up the following.

13 whp gain w/o tuning - 3.0"
17 whp gain w/o tuning - 3.5"
22 whp gain w/o tuning -4.0"

Here is a good thread w/ a detailed write up.

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...ts-thread.html

The reason for running the 4.0" is the dual mivec, down low this car flows a ton of air and the OEM intercooler is actually a restriction, the larger intercoolers help with airflow and getting the air to the motor w/o excess back pressure.

The radiator will not interfere with the intercooler due to it being on the other side of the core support. The intercooler mounts in the front and the radiator mounts on the other side plus you have an a/c condenser between the two. Our 4.0" bolts up directly w/o cutting. Direct fit.


The larger intercooler is beneficial, check out our results thread above. We have the intercoolers on the shelf ready to go.



If you have any questions, let me know!

Thanks,

Michael

 

Leave it to Michael at ETS to be that thourough. Thanks. That was an Awesome link. Didnt know you guys went to that much effort.

 

Just to add as well, every single person with ETS parts is happy. I was going to go with their products as well for my X but i ended up getting a great package deal with my parts. So i decided to stick with AGP after more research, peoples personal experience and reviews, etc. I ordered a AGP FMIC and AGP LICP and should actually be in today from the provided tracking number they gave me. I am so excited haha

 

Michael, Thanks a tons you just made deciding a whole lot easier and less complicated I will definatly be buying a ETS IC in the future

 

I just ordered the ETS 3.5. The results are proven and am excited to see what I have after a tune.

 

maybe the way i was trying to explain it was wrong, but i didn't mean that it would interfer with performance or anything getting a bigger one due to the radiator.

What i meant was that the condensor sits right against the IC, with a bigger one, and the condensor mounts to the radiator. All this makes it a huge PITA trying to mount it all up. Now if you pay someone to do it for you, then don't worry about it, but if you do your work yourself you will be cursing a lot during install. lol!

 

ETS makes great products, I also have their upper and lower intercooler pipes (the short route upper) and they have really helped out with noticeably faster spool up.

 

Not sure what's going on with your install, but you should have plenty of room. Maybe they put different mounting points on the intercooler, but check out these pics of our 4.0" install. Plenty of room. I can fit a 5.0" and 6.0" intercooler w/o crash beam or cutting crash beam and the a/c is fine.