I have been doing some reading around NAM and I'm seeing that a front mount will make me loose boost? But it increases performance? I'm not sure how this works? Does it actually add power or its just letting you use the power that you have? Either way I do realize it is a positive thing but I'm thinking like at the drag strip. Your intercooler won’t really heat soak you do a run for 14secconds then you wait. I do realize that on a real track that it will make a huge difference but just for some weekend fun will it be worth the $700+ to get one? I have the car is already a blast with the mods I have now and when I'm messing around on the street people are shocked when I can keep up or beat them the v8’s are the most fun to mess with lol. But I'm either going to go with suspension or rims & tires or intercooler I'm not sure what I should do for the summer but I only can do one with the way money is going.

 

An intercooler is a must if you're tuned....

just my opinion.

But, yes they are worth every penny. Tune, intercooler, and downpipe are the 3 easiest mods that are worth every dollar. A good intercooler shouldn't have much pressure drop, I think the Helix is less than .5psi. Keep in mind every intercooler will have pressure drop though, including the stock one.

It's debatable whether they "make" power...most agree they just allow you to keep the most power. But really that can be said about any mod. Regardless of how you look at it...they DO provide gains, especially when running a tune.

 

Yeah, What he said!

Dave

 

It still makes a big difference on the drag strip. Generally the stock IC will have significant heat soak with in a single gear pull to redline. In drag racing by the time you cross the trap you will already have done this 4 times. 1st and 2nd gear may not be too bad but by the time your in 3rd and 4th it will most likely begin pulling a enough timing to cause a noticeable power loss.

In your case the sustained power from an upgraded IC may only net a few tenths if the car is relatively stock, but it's drag racing and that small bit of time can determine a win or loss.

 

Plain and simple your reducing your IAT's and that gives you a denser charge of air. Its a positive thing whichever way you look at it period.

 

Sounds good, and thanks everyone for the help. Now I just need to decide which one to get I wanted the Forge but for the 2010 its no longer a direct fit I'm extremely new to working on cars I couldn’t do my dp by myself ended up costing my another $80. So the simpler the better and it is the cheapest iv found on the website it shows 2 different prices even though they are both euro I did a conversion and they are still a good amount cheaper than Alta, and Helix.

 

I have a 2010 Clubman - put the Forge IC on (even though the instructions say it does not fit). Works just fine.

The only thing that doesn't 'fit' is the top tab that is supposed to screw to the crash bumper. YOU DON"T NEED IT.

The Forge has two additional mounting tabs - which mate-up where the OEM IC mounts. The other aftermarket IC's don't have ANY tabs. They rely solely on the Intake and Output tubes to carry all the mechanical connection to the car - which also seems to work just fine. So - with the Forge IC - you are already ahead of the game. The IC mounts perfectly to my 2010 (I used a zip-tie through the top tab on the IC and around the crash bumper - but this is over-kill. Many people just cut it off. Others try to drill a hole and use spacing washers to fill the gap.)

Don't worry about it. Get it. Follow the instructions for mounting (they are quite good). Budget 2 to 3 hours. No problem!

 

If this helps, Helix is having a group buy on their FMIC on the vendor group by page.

I've been looking at the Forge and Helix FMIC, with the GB, Helix looks to be the one I'm getting. But I'll probably go with Forge or NM piping for the hot side or go with Dejon Powerhouse piping, but I can't find any reviews on them..

 

A mini at the drag strip. Makes me laugh every time I hear that!

 

Whatever IC you decide on I'd recommend having it coated with thermal dispersant before install. It will increase charge density by 1-1.5%. A good plating/coating shop will do it for ~$100.

 

To answer th OP's question, the intercooler is allowing the vehicle to hit its "maped" performance threashold with lower boost. You see the ECM will only let the car produce as much HP as it is mapped for. You will need a tune to change the maps to get your boost back up.

No matter what you do to your car, the ECM will only let it produce what it is maped for. SO if your stock map lets you produce 175hp, your ECM will keep you around that level.

 

The Helix group buy will take six months before you ever see your FMIC. Way is installing a Forge FMIC on my 2011 MCS tomorrow.

 

if you already have a tune, then isntall an IC, will you need a new tune?

 

Anyone knows if the Forge Intercooler will fit behind a JCW Front Bumper with Brake Ducts without modifications? I have a 2009 MCS! Please advise! Thanks!

 

Yes it fits a 2009 mcs and jcw without mods.

 

No, according to Jan at RMW. This is for the Helix IC, not sure about the other ones.

 

Thanks.

 

Yes it will fit an 09 JCW with the ducts no problem. I do suggest you make sure the JCW badge doesn't have the studs on it rubbing, if they are close I suggest grinding them down just a little

Also I know for a fact the Forge IC will fit the 2011+ with the factory brake ducts.

 

anyone got pics of a JCW front bar with the IC mesh grill removed so you can see the intercooler? Im thinking of taking mine off but I wanna see some pics.

 

Bigprfed22 had some of his car like this. About 3/4 way down the page.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...dy-kit-25.html

 

Not the JCW but you can see where the ducts occupy is still there. Just a pic to look at.

 

thanks, im gonna take the grill off. it looks tuff.

 

I don't know why you would want to take the lower grill off, it's just asking for rocks and other debris to mess up your $700 intercooler.

 

I trimmed my bumper to have maximum airflow over the cooler so the grill had to come off. I've had no problems for many many miles and many track days. Just my personal experience.

 

yeah i don't mind if it gets some rocks in it, it seems pretty durable. even now its full of bugs anyway, at least with it off i can at least get to it to clean it. if it gets too bad i will put it back on but i am really liking the exposed look.