I just took off the cover to the stock intecooler. To say the least I was shocked. The cover makes it look twice the size it actually is (which is very, very, small.) It's seems like it would be almost inadequate for a stock MCS.My first question is this. Will I notce anything with it off? Will I damage anything with it off?

I want to get something WAY better than this. I have heard very little about aftermarket intercoolers in this forum, it's sorta like everyone has one but it's on the DL. From what I have heard the GRS is the most hp yielding one. But also the most expensive. But I really don't care about the price. I just want the best for my engine. So what's the best intercooler? Looks wise, performance wise, or anything?

When I get one I would like to get, or fabricate a standard cover(no diverter) for it, that looks similar to the stock one. So I can paint it silver and put a JCW Sticker on it! Anyone know of some way to do this?

Thanks

Mike

 

http://store.webbmotorsports.com/ind...products_id=36

 

OKAY... OKAY... no greater than $1000!
Leave it you, Chows4us, to come to read into my post!

 

See where the foam on the hood seals on the cover, now look where it doesn't seal without it.

The stock intercooler while it seems small works fine for these cars. For many $$ you can up the horses slightly while loosing heatsoak recovery time due to the larger ones increased mass. Now an affordable/durable FMIC

 

that would look sweet if you had a BenFer CF CAI though!

 

So it's better with it on?

 

He means the stock IC is fine.

Randys is SWEET. thats FMIC,

The point is that there seems to be an argument whether or not $1K ICs do much of anything. Read the GRS thread. Someone is claiming not much gain. Randy says 8 - 10 HP? DOnt know

 

Yes, because without it the scoop & foam seal extend beyond the intercooler allowing the air to take the path of least resistance over the intercoolers outlet elbow.

 

yes but only about 30% of the IC is open to the air with the cover on to begin with??

 

Strange, sounds like you have the cover on backwards. :smile: The intercooler is offset to one side of the scoop, if thats what you mean. The air going in the scoop has nowhere else to go but through the intercooler, offset or not, with the cover on keeping the air pressurized between it and the hoods foam seal.

 

yea I just realized that's exactly what I did!

 

cuz so far i dont see real gains in it unless its going to be mounted in the front, plus its a high dollar item for the gains u get!?!?!?!!? =0)

(the front mount shown is NiCE but a bit high)

 

Chili go with the GRS and don't cover it. It looks great with out a cover. But thats my opinion. Alot of MINI owners don't like my engine. But to each his own. Take a look at my Gallery. Yes i did notice a difference in my temp. Graham is a great guy and a perfectionist.

 

You get what you pay for

Randys in CF looks sweet. What about FB Tims FMIC, That thing looks AWESOME

 

How about water-to-air intercoolers?

Me and a friend are working on building one...Seems like a really cool idea.

Mini Madness makes one.

 

chows4us, whos FB Tims?

yea! i've been talkin' w/George about his.....not sure im totaly sold on it yet, still a bit high for the gains but do like the radiator & high flo' pump

 

El Diablito's crew. They are the ones that have the MINIUSA drag MCS, that runs mid 11s.

Actually I think your engine bay looks sweet! Did you get the polished or non polished version? I think it would go great with my JCW Strut Brace! Is there any sort of diverter on it?

 

The stock IC may look small, but it's not in comparison to the size of the scoop hole. Either a larger scoop or water-cooling as suggested by MSFIT would alleviate this bottleneck.

The Madness intercooler is a stock one with water end tanks welded on top and bottom; that's why they want your core.

 

.........exactly why im not all the way sold on it

 

I have the GRS intercooler and am more than pleased with it.

 

?? pleased w/the way it l00k's or performance ??

 

what is core?
I see all this stuff on these sites about core charges what is that?

 

Core charge: It means that you have to send back your original part so that they can use it to make the next part for the next guy.

When you send it back, you get your money back.

 

Thanks Chili, Graham designed a deverter for the bonnet scoop that keeps the air flow from sneaking in front of the intercooler and some foam that keeps the air from shooting over the intercooler. And mine is the polished version. It would look great with your JCW strut brace. Did you notice my imitation JCW strut brace? Its a strut brace from mini mania in chrome and i glued(gorilla glue)a JCW lapel pin on top. Even with all the heat under there it stays on. Go figure.

 

i like "daworkS" script in front of ur ride, under car!!!!

0n ur engine bay, do u have spacers on/under the mountin' points of ur strut brace?