both are direct flow IC's, which is better?

i tend to like the looks of the Alta a bit more being that it's blacked out

have both been tested on the same car yet to see which is the better IC?

 

There are no dynographs anywhere on the net that I can find. Just another marketing hype type intercooler.

Bill

 

You can get a DFIC with thermal dispersant coating, which is black. It looks cool and actually evens out the heat transfer. The black on the Alta is just powder coat and probably will hold the heat in.
Go back to the Alta Q & A thread, there are guys having some fitment issues. Plus you have to grind the threaded bosses on the front of the intake manifold to fit the Alta.
Definitely go with the DFIC.

 

I had a lenghtly discussion with one of the Mini Challenge racers who had installed the M7 IC. His experience racing the MIni was that the IC without the thermal dispersant coating actually robed the car of horsepower because it absorbed so much head due to it's mass. Heat is a real issue with this little engine.

DJD

 

Now that's saying a lot! Got a few weeks to read all the threads and posts addressing *just* that issue?

good luck

 

I understand how direct flow should be better in theory. But I've yet to see any numbers that prove that it works on the Mini. I have seen numerous post of a measured pressure drop. IMHO, I will have to agree with Miniflop: Just another marketing hype type intercooler. Heck for less money, just buy the GP intercooler. I know BMW guys tested those.

 

There is a lot to be said for Factory R&D!

DJD

 

My local shop tested the Alta and M7 back to back and averaged a 15 degree drop with the M7. He had been running a GRS big top mount prior to that and found both of the " front feeders " to be superior to the GRS unit. As it was a " stock " DIFC without the bells and whistles I can only think that the numbers would get better if you added some of the " options '.

 

I am sure the temp drop is nice. But how does it translate to what actually matters: HP and TQ? Or is the temp drop negated by the loss of pressure? I think talking about the temperature alone is irrelevant without looking at the whole picture.

 

It has been well established that an intercooler is not going to show much on a dyno. Its primary job is to cool. The main statastic when measuring them is the intake temp. In this paritcular case it is -15 in favor if the DIFC. Yes there are other variables such as pressure drop etc but, by far ,the intake temp is the most important.

 

If I understand correctly, the intercooler will not add HP/TQ, which makes sense. So the intercooler's job is to cool the air and I believe it has been discussed that once the car is moving the under hood temps stabilize. Is there a delta for TMIC vs. DFIC at speed? Say 65, or 80 mph?

 

trackster, don't even waste your time with the junky. Those of us that have a MCS and a DFIC know that it works.

 

Hey I don't make these things I just like the cars LOL . The way I look at it is Alta had a very successful top mount but for a reason be it M7's offering or whatever decided they needed to have a DFIC style. They spent a lot of time and money on coming out with a product that will not only compete with but most likely shorten the lifespan of a current product, the TMIC.. I do not think they would make that decision lightly . One would have to believe that they also ,like M7, saw the front feeder as the way to go. Based partly on their ( Alta's ) confirmation of this style I also think that the DFIC concept is a valid one. The fact that in one particular test showed an additional -15 for the M7 also makes sense as they have been on the market longer.

 

Thanks for your input. Now let the adults discuss in peace.

Edit. By the way. Before you make a bigger fool of yourself. Here is my other ride:



Thanks for playing.

 

I am in no way arguing whether the DFIC works. I think the consensus out there is that it does, or at least should. I am just trying to separate the myth from fact and find out how well. As far as Alta, et. al. moving away from TMIC towards DFIC. It could just be a case of needing a new product to market. Specially with the Mini introducing the R56 model the need for upgraded intercoolers was diminishing. Introducing a "better mouse trap" could prove a lucrative source of sales for interested parties.

 

Oh no, now i'm scared. Isn't that your wifes car?

 

I do not think a company would cut its own throat to " build a better mousetrap " as you put it. As you also mention the market is dimminishing and would be another good reason NOT to spend more money in that area. I am still convinced that , for whatever reason, Alta saw the front feeder as the way to go. M7 did not have a IC of any type so their motivation was simply to build a better product. Alta on the other hand had a lot on the line and still went the same route. Again I am sure they did not make this expensive decision lightly.

 

Can I clarify one point? Temp drop can add HP/TQ but a car standing still on a dyno with a fan blowing on the IC will not see the same temp drop as a car driving forward with air being forced through the hood scoop and the IC and thus will not show the HP/TQ increase.

 

Exactly why would you care? Or don't you let your women drive?

 

It was generally accepted in another thread that the thermal efficiency difference between the stock intercooler and the DFIC was in the range of a whopping 7%.

Instead of asking Alta or DFIC, maybe the OP should ask the question is that difference worth $1K......

BTW: My wife drives a Volvo.

 

Agreed. I am still curious to see actual numbers. Exactly how well it works. What you get for your money, so to speak.

Can you please clarify if you are referring to all intercoolers or to DFIC specifically.

 

I don't care, but you said it was your ride. I know you have issues and I do care about keeping this thread on track, so i'm outta here.

EDIT: my woman does drive, and rather well, I might add.

 

Umm, OK. Bah-bye. Your knowledge will serve you well. :impatient

Edit: And since you saw fit to edit your post. I did say it is my ride. My name is on the title. As is my wife's. LMK if you need it explained.

 

Agreed. My point was that a BETTER measure of a IC is temp drop as a dyno will not be a fair test of an item which relies mostly on air movment to function.

 

My woman drives an XJR, 400hp Supercharged. Not a bad ride.

Better than Skipjacks wifes Volvo!

Hey Parts, has your woman got a DFIC on her Kia? If she needs anymore cool parts, send her over the the *****-izon thread. They got some pretty trick stuff they selling out their home garage also.