Today I just installed my new blue Alta intercooler "boots" from John at www.t-rexmotorsports.com. They took some time to fit them on because they fit so tight. About a month a go I added an air to water intercooler but was bothered because I had lost 3psi of boost in 3rd gear even though the car ran stronger and didn't become heat soaked because of the lower intake temps. After installing the Alta boots I nocticed I was hitting 16psi again still one psi less than when I had the stock intercooler. The boots really seem to make a tight seal letting no air out and they add some flair to the motor. I thought it was a cool and cheap mod that helped in many ways including recovering some lost HP's
Mario

 

I'm glad to hear that you got some back!

 

i'm glad you got the little beast back in order!!
did emile tune it again? for the new intercooler.
-john

 

3 psi is quite a bit. I'd think the MINI would throw a CEL if it was losing air somewhere between the engine and the map sensor, but I guess not...

 

It was 2psi not 3, but I didn't even through a code when the whole intercooler pulled off and made a horrible sound. I'm just happy to get some power.

 

Very COOL. I have had my share of customers that do there own mods and then show a power loss. A simple task of re checking ALL the hoses usually reveals a snug but not tight under pressure hose. Good Tech Tip for Everyone. Now you a have a Tuner Trick !!!

 

So, you lost 2 psi adding the new intercooler because of loose hoses?

Wouldn't tightening them up have brought you back to where you were? I guess I'm a little confused...............

 

Hey glad those worked out! WOW 2 psi for less than $40! Can't beat that! Keep us posted on other magic mods!

Thanks for the post!

 

I lost 3 psi because the new air/water intercooler. The a/w intercooler has a denser charge and I guess it is normal to loose some boost because of the colder air going into the motor. I gained back 1.5psi to 2psi because the Alta boost are a MUCH tighter fit than the OEM ones. One of the reason the OEM were leaking was because the intercooler has a slick powder coated finish causing the OEM ones to start moving around.
Because of the colder air going into the motor now I still lost 1psi but the car pulls harder and doesn't heat soak at all, at least for my driving style, location, mods and ocean cool weather.
M

 

That sounds like an easy fix to your problem Mario. Glad it worked that well.

 

a good reminder for all of us that the smallest part can work against us.

 

You know you want to put that damn 17% pulley back on to get that 1psi back..... Or maybe your 2%......

Come on do it... do it...do it....

Call me. JC

 

Where have you been??? No calls or love lately :-( I still have the 17% on there, sometimes I think about doing the Alta 1% or 2% but I had horrible luck with crank pulleys.
Anything new on your car?

 

What is the MAX boost/psi you can get out on stock internals? I have the '03 MCS with JCW intake.

 

So you hit 16psi in third gear with this a/w intercooler and 17% pulley?

 

Some guys are hitting 22 to 25 psi of boost on a stock motor with turbo only or twincharge kits.
I have heard 280whp is the max on stock pistons

 

Yes I do, with the stock intercooler I was hitting 17 to 17.5 psi. I think I have a fairly strong superchrger. I know some are only hitting 14 psi with a 17%

 

Alot goes into what boost you see on the gauge. Some guys may only see 14 psi due to the location that they tapped for the boost gauge or the altitude they live at.

When you switched to the A/W intercooler, you may have lost boost, but were probably making more hp. If you had a boost leak loosing 2-3 psi you would hear it.

I you needed in to fit better, it is much cheaper to just flare the connections.