How do you guys think this setup would be? The stock IC obviously would be more efficient if it had better air flow in and out. Should I go through all the time and money to setup the stock IC in front or use an aftermarket IC that would use up the lower grille opening and rig it for a front mount?

 

Something quite comparable to what you're talking about might have a preview in Vegas (AMVIV). We shall see...

 

Okay Tony - make with the talky talky............

 

Gossip w/o an actual product is generally preceived as bad, so I'll refrain from any details...

PARTSMAN109 was inquiring, and it might behoove him to wait a tad longer before contemplating such a venture on his own...

The idea of direct, straight-though airflow with plenty of space on the backside to lessen the buffeting (of ambient air) that the stocker and aftermkt top mounts see is a good thing.

Vegas might get a glimpse, but I'm not sure...

 

Would be great to see Tony, but probably don't want to see the price tag.

 

TonyB is right. Moving the stock core is a novel idea, but perhaps not great because of the dimensions [it's probably a bit under-sized for front mount IMO]. But, it's a good idea nonetheless . But, like TonyB is saying, there's something that would certainly interest Partsman on the horizon that will be in production and I've heard will come out very soon. I, for one, fully plan on buying one as soon as it's available and I have the free time to install it...... So, yes, wait a little while so you don't have to go through all of that trouble.

Note: Again, like TonyB, I don't mean to tease or what have you, so please don't take this the wrong way. It's just a heads up based on credible musings. <end disclaimer>

 

Ah, price... Well, I of course cannot officially comment on such stuff, but rumblings have been in the ballpark of today's top-mounts... So, reasonable, I feel... When released, there should be a fair amount of discussion...

 

I'd also like to see a kit that converts the stock MINI intercooler to a front-mounted intercooler!

If it comes out, I'd buy one for sure!!

I guess the kit would be around 300-400$ and would be simple to install since the front bumper is easy to remove, and the intercooler is also very easy to remove!

Anyone that will make this kit will make a lot of money!

 

The space in front, with A/C in place, is quite limited, and flow-through would be hampered with stuff immediately behind it... at least for something the dimensions of the stock IC... and if stacked over (prior to) the A/C and radiator, one should expect some degradation in the performance of those items...

The working-out of the plumbing probably wouldn't be too bad, but the addition of more volume is not exactly desirable, and that would happen with such routing.

 

Tony, you are correct about limited space in front. The lower grille opening is about 23.5" wide and about 4" high, and if you stick a tape measure through one of the holes, it's about 2.5 to 3" to the condenser, more than enough for the stock IC. If you compare the size of the A/C condenser and the radiator to the relatively small core size of the stock IC(11"x6"x2") I don't think we would be taking too much away from those components.
Funny you should say that the plumbing "wouldn't be too bad". I think that will be the hardest part! I am going to check out using the stock SC runners as well as fabricating a new SC outlet that will go directly to the front, through the IC, and back around to the intake.

 

Maintaining pressure will be a challenge.

 

You are right. I will try to keep the routing of the pipes as short as possible, but there's always the added volume. Any ideas on maintaining pressure?

 

From what little I know you have length and cross section to work with.
You're stuck with the flat tubing wich won't flow as well as round tubing so that will keep pressure up.
After that you need someone with more knowledge than me. Not too tough to do

 

I guess the only reason I thought that the routing portion wouldn't be too bad is simply because there are a couple of FMIC examples out there already to go on... It wouldn't be easy, and the cost most likely prohibitive, as we've seen. And, as already mentioned, the increased volume doesn't exactly make it a no-brainer...

Nuzzo's front mount is quite ideal in that the distance traveled is minimized fairly well. And, it doesn't sit in front of condensor and radiator, but above. However, one would have to part with their lights, as he did for such a set-up; and most here wouldn't find that acceptable, understandably...

Having ambient air go through an IC, then immediately through the condenser, and lastly the radiator is not something I'd want. These all have the purpose of exchanging heat; so what comes-out the back side is warmer than what initially came-in. By the time the "ambient" air gets to the radiator, it won't be nearly as cool as it was. And if it is, then the system is not doing its job to remove heat...

Between the increased volume (pressure loss), complexity/cost, impact to the effectiveness of A/C and radiator, and the lack of space behind such a unit for improved flow-through, I don't see this as a viable solution for us. The stock IC has proven that it's quite good for what it does, and where it was designed to do it. Just not so sure about re-locating it to the front though...

 

This kind of setup already exists over here. Cant remember the name of the company, but it used carbon fibre pipes that come off the intercooler horns, over the front of the engine, then connects to an intercooler in the front of the bumper. Strange to look at and im sure i had a rolling road video of it on my HD. Will have another look and see if i can find.



EDIT: Found the video, right click the link, and save as....

MINI225 video 5.55mb

 

http://www.webbmotorsports.com/galle...cn0769-med.jpg

http://www.webbmotorsports.com/performance.php

Dunno if it's an old catalog, but the main home catalog doesn't have it. $2350

 

yep thats the one thats in the vid that i posted above.

Good find

 

guys...this is crazy....see the following link, its louddddddd...

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/3...641CE3CE56.htm

 

Getting back to what Tony is saying about the IC being in front of the condenser and radiator, the Webb setup being as big as it is, will considerably affect these components. Maybe that's why it's the "Ultimate Track Front Mount Intercooler". I really don't think that a smaller IC, stock or aftermarket, in front will reduce the effectiveness of the condenser or the radiator. The only way to know is to try it.

 

Full document and testing results are expected.
We may want to review your project plan before you start as well.

 

Absolutely. Is there a deadline for the submission of said documents.

 

 

I was waiting for you to chime with some input, not just smilies. You obviously know what Tony is talking about. Start typing Sid.

 

Welll....let's just say that one crazy swede is out in Vegas right this minute about to show off the top secret developement that Joel and I had participated in. Not to be a tease, but I don't have permission to disclose anything... I will tell you this much...we did another "Extreme" Ram Intake specifically for this new product...it is part of "the package" so use your imagination until someone out there reports on this

 

From what I was told, the "product" you are referring to is not a front mount. I even have a pic of it on someone's MINI. I'm sure that unit will be better than the stock IC.
I wanted your input on a front mount setup using the stock IC or a aftermarket one.