I've looked and gotten a lot of opinions, and apologize for putting another thread on here about intercoolers that is yet another to dig through in finding out information, but from what I've found from people here on the forum help SO so much when you list a specific application. So my dilema is this, my stock MCS intercooler has a number of bent fins, and after talking to JIMINI at the recent ABF event it's probably robbing me of some cooling and thus of power. From my research I've narrowed it down to 3 replacement intercoolers based on where I am going with my tuning; Forge, Alta, or a GP. Now there is a great deal going on with Forge ($550+ ship i think), and there are some Alta V1's floating around the marketplace($400), while the GP is really a special order thing. Money is tight, but as I've found its best to buy a good product once instead of suffering the consequences of cutting corners.

My tuning is going to start really taking off now that all my hospital bills are paid off (thanks to some a*&hole doing a hit and run on me while I was riding my bike 2 years ago I got to pay everything! Thanks!) I can focus on my Mallory (r53 MCS) again.

Current Mods:
- Alta Exhast
- Dinan CAI (modified to feed off a custom CF scoop I had made, about 3x as tall as the Orcriari (<-sp?))
- Dinan Stage 3 ECU
- Built By Bones 4pt Roll Cage
- JCW plugs

Future Mods:
- Injectors (440's? Not 100% on any yet, still have research to do)
- 15% pulley (waiting in a box @ home)
- Cam (I am thinking Schrick, but need to read up more on cams in general)
- Intercooler
- ECU tune once all engine mods "finalized"

Based off of that (seems like a popular "enthusist" type engine setup here on the forums) and user experiences, can anyone recommend a preferred intercooler for that setup? I am a VERY spirited daily driver .

 

Hey Wil, I'm going to get on the computer and PM you. I'm on my iPhone right now.

 

You can straighten bent fins... If you don't want to, ship it to me when you get a new one

 

Yes use a small screwdriver and straighten each fin individually. I used to do this with an air conditioning unit that people kicked at do to its location. It takes time but will get the intercooler to work without spending a lot of $'s

 

What they said.

If money is really tight, spend it on something other than an intercooler.

 

take a picture of the intercooler. I think most mini's with higher miles have a few bent fins. Unless a bar is bent airflow is not impeded. An aftermarket air diverter or scoop would prove more beneficial than replacing it all together

 

Thanks everyone for the responses! Well looks like I'll be spending some time with a small slotted screwdriver this weekend, lol.
I have alta's diverter and an m7 scoop, so with that I think after getting some wisdom from the forums (and Jim) the only thing better would be a GP intercooler, but even then it seems overkill. Thanks again everyone for hooking up the cooper knowledge!

 

get some very skinny needle nose pliers..those work too!!

 

radiator fin straightener $5

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37892

 

thats the greatest tool ever... wonder if it works.
i spent 2 hours the other day straightening fins before the hot weather kicks in, just to be safe.

 

ill sell you my alta v.1 for 300 bux im looking into a water to air. Jay said my v.1 worked well during my tuning etc..


shoot me a pm if your interested, if not, no biggy

 

Yep, the intercooler should be one of your last mods

 

My intercooler fins only got bent only because I rest tools up there when I'm working on the car... I use a tiny screw driver to fix them, and I still rest tools there.

 

Did you think about trying to straighten the fins with a radiator comb?

 

1. Try the fin straightener.
2. Replace with: a. Another stock intercooler or b. A GP intercooler (if you can actually get your hands on one). Don't sweat the others. Read this thread for more info: https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/drivetrain-cooper-s/151068-intercooler-cooling-tests.html.

 

The GP is readily available from most dealers now I know, I just got one

 

The Harbor tool than $500.00 to a meth kit (ais) ----------cool & FAST !! FORGET ALTA .

 

I can dig it! I'll be checking into that radiator tool this weekend, take the long way there and get some twisties in on the way.

 

Check out www.alcoholinjectionsystems.com System # 1-- IS the right one $420 & shpg-----call & talk to Rodney

 

Cool link