Has anyone fitted a bigger Side Mount Intercooler (SMIC)?

**gavs** · 31-05-2012, 05:44 PM

Better still, you could just buy a CO2 refrigeration setup for the intercooler....

**noone** · 31-05-2012, 07:52 PM

I think a great solution lies in using the forge kit with a different core (assuming the core is as bad as people say).
The forge kit would be cheap to ship, probably fairly cheap from Forge if you organised a group buy and get better cores made up locally. I tried to get enough interest in replacement cores a while back, maybe more enthusiasm now? Sorry, this isnt really OT.

I think the Joey mod (wheel arch ventiation) is a great idea, once you take that lining out you see how little ventilation the cooler and the engine as a whole has. If there were more options for opening up the engine bay, it would be good to get as much airflow through, regardless of the cooler type. I did this before I got the front mount.

You're going to be somewhat limited in how much flow you are going to get through the lower side grills, Maybe remove the fog lights to help as much flow as possible, there are probably more side grill options that don't incorporate fogs.

Love the idea, always good to see an innovative idea pushed.

**s4mmie** · 31-05-2012, 08:30 PM

Noone, is there a forge replacement kit for the stock pipes? I thought there was but couldn't find it...
Did you get far finding someone to make up replacement cores?
If someone can measure up the stock core and the larger mk4, I'll see if I can get some group prices to make up a larger core with the correct orientation.

I'm very interested in this option as I think it would work out far cheaper than an aftermarket FMIC, with shorter pipes, and with adequate ventilation (possible even a high-cfm triggered fan) to prevent heat soak I think we should see comparable performance/consistency gains.

**LunchboxVRS** · 31-05-2012, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by team_v

Don't most of the subie top-mounts get replaced with front-mounts as they are inneficient?

Not at all, there are bigger top mounts that are capable of flowing enough for over 200kw ATW for subies. the killer is the scoop size especially on the liberty and the stock turbo is only good for about 200kw depending on the transmission. its more about consistancy. a thicker core with the same frontage will only give you a hp or to more but will allow you to sprint off from the lights all day without having to much loose of power because of heat soak where as with the stock top mount is only good for a sprint or 2. a front mount will give you some lag but is the only way your going to push big power and to get that big power you need a big turbo anyway which is going to have more lag again so you wont notice the little bit from the extra piping. front mounts for rex's are just easy and cheap as there are so many out there. Thats my rant anyway

**Blitzen** · 31-05-2012, 10:30 PM

I'll be doing the vent mod this weekend actually.

**vwthunder** · 31-05-2012, 11:02 PM

Been tempted to get one of these for ages

TRV-185 Treadstone Intercooler Dodge Chevy Nissan Scion | eBay

**Guy_H** · 01-06-2012, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by noone

I think a great solution lies in using the forge kit with a different core (assuming the core is as bad as people say).
The forge kit would be cheap to ship, probably fairly cheap from Forge if you organised a group buy and get better cores made up locally. I tried to get enough interest in replacement cores a while back, maybe more enthusiasm now? Sorry, this isnt really OT.

I think the Joey mod (wheel arch ventiation) is a great idea, once you take that lining out you see how little ventilation the cooler and the engine as a whole has. If there were more options for opening up the engine bay, it would be good to get as much airflow through, regardless of the cooler type. I did this before I got the front mount.

You're going to be somewhat limited in how much flow you are going to get through the lower side grills, Maybe remove the fog lights to help as much flow as possible, there are probably more side grill options that don't incorporate fogs.

Love the idea, always good to see an innovative idea pushed.

I'm pretty sure its not the core thats the main problem, its the "U" shaped design & poor end tanks that cause most of the problems.

**noone** · 01-06-2012, 08:32 AM

Sure Guy, I'm describing the central elements as opposed to the piping. you are likely correct about the the core is fed.

As for the forge kit, I think we once had a price on it, its not a normal kit, but I don't see why they wouldn't sell us 1/2 the kit. This will determine where the in and out points are on the new cooler if we had one made.

There is a guide on their website, pretty comprehensive for images of all the kit.

If there is real interest in this, someone might want to open one of the old threads so this SMIC thread can run its course.