Which one is beter? I have a 11 JCW, just hit 1,600 miles. Hopefully trouble free too! And maybe change the tubes too!

 

You can order the Alta FMIC powder coated black so it doesn't show through the grill so much. Has nothing to do with function, just cosmetic. My black MINI is all murdered out so I wouldn't want the bare aluminum showing. Has anyone done a comparison between the Alta, Helix, and Forge FMICs? I would guess that they are fairly close in performance.

 

Heat exchangers (an intercooler, for example) will usually be anodized rather than powder coated. Anodizing is a very thin surface treatment that involves oxidizing a few molecules thick of aluminum. Powder coating is a static adhering powder that is applied and baked (melted) into place. Not good if you want to transfer heat.

 

The only difference I can see between the three is that the Alta intercooler requires some minor trimming of plastic in order to install it, the others do not.

Dave

 

I called Alta and asked them if it was anodized, they said no, its powder coated. The powder coating used on motorcycle exhausts transfers heat faster than chrome or non coating. The exhaust pipes and the heat shields on my Harley are done this way. Its also used on headers of performance engines. I would think that Alta knows this and would not use "decorative" powder coating for this application. Considering the heat of the intercooler, not just any powder coat is going to hold up. The Forge intercooler has tabs with bolt holes to mount like the OEM intercooler, the Alta and Helix use the input and output tubes.

 

Read the reviews on here. Tons of threads. Spend the time to read though them. That will help you make the right decision.

I have the Helix on my JCW for almost 1.5 years. Helix installed it. Never an issue. Held up well to a low speed accident last year too. Needed the front bumper cover replaced. Helix FMIC survived unscathed and is still working well.

 

You can get a ceramic coating for headers that is very similar in processing with much higher temperatures but you won't find powder coated headers. Ceramic exhaust coatings do not transfer heat, they insulate it. I have ceramic exhaust wrap on the pipes of my Victory and it sure isn't there to transfer heat. I'll be happy to debate bulk heat transfer properties of ferrous and non-ferrous exhaust materials if you really want.

 

Not all powder coats are created the same or for the same purpose. Your ceramics may insulate, my non ceramics dissipate. Your exhaust wraps are for a different purpose. When I had my pipes done, the coaters had different types of coatings to choose from, ceramic, non ceramic, jet coat. I chose the type that dissipates heat. Do you think Alta would put insulation on a big heatsink? This is off topic from the OP's query.

 

i think the alta is the biggest

 

I called Alta too and explained my credentials before asking about their intercooler. Both the black and silver ones are powder coated but it serves no thermal purpose whatsoever. It is to protect it from stone chips. We had a brief discussion about the merits of improving the heat transfer with anodizing, but they went with durability which is certainly a respectable decision.
There are no commercially viable non-metallic coatings to dissipate heat. Jet coat is a ceramic based coating that insulates as well. You would have everyone on this board believe you turned your Harley exhaust into a giant radiator? I find that hard to believe since they already had heat soak problems that were so bad the newer bikes have a single cylinder idle strategy to control the condition at stop lights.
Yes, this is off topic. Maybe you could start a new disinformation thread.

 

Fwiw, I ended up with the Helix IC because I wasn't thrilled about trimming plastic. In retrospect, I'm not thrilled about the Helix IC's lack of hard mounting points either and had I spotted that initially probably would have bought the blacked out Alta IC. There probably isn't much of a performance difference either way unless you're signing up for some serious dyno time and doing a lot of data logging. Even then its likely single digit hp numbers. I would say your decision is down to how you want it mounted and whose name you'd prefer in you sig line.

 

Surface area is the name of the game, i went with alta soley because of that. If your intimidated by take a dremel to 2 pieces of plastic... then get the helix. The helix is not centered and also still has a big portion covered by the bumper cover. Both good pieces but this was the determining factor for my choice.

 

If anyone is interested, Thermo Dyne, Micro Dyne, and Cerakote, are spray on ceramic based heat dissapating coatings made or distributed by NIC Industries. They claim 35% to 40% better heat dissaption than bare metal. You can Google it.

 

Wow, turns out no one is interested. You have to be comparable to, though not directly compared or associated with, the biggest douche in the world.

I have several patents associated with heat transfer modes pertaining to oxygen sensor design and thermal modeling of exhaust systems including the next generation Xfour. They're made by Bosch. Maybe you can google that?

I don't mind being wrong about something, but it's people like you who take half a kernel of fact and then try to make the case to everyone that stickers will make your car faster than yellow paint.

 

Considering neither of them have them in stock...good luck!

Forge FMIC will not fit 2010 and 2011 models.

 

YES IT DOES. When you install it on a 2010 and newer you just don't use the top center mounting tab. If you wanted to use the tab you would have to bend it around to make it fit to the bumper. But we have installed the Forge on 2010s and it is very easy to install not using the center tab.

 

Thanks for all the info. I order the helix because I don't want to cut! & I'm going to change the hot & intake tube too (NM pipe) got them all from outmotoring. Just spending too much $$$

 

Maybe it does fit, but the Forge website says it doesn't.

From site...
* 2010 model year vehicles -due to a change in the crash bumper design*on the 2010 model year vehicles our intercooler kit is not suitable.

http://www.forgemotorsport.co.uk/con...oduct=FMINTR56

 

You can save money by getting in on Helix's group buy that just started.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...group-buy.html

I saved $150 in their last group buy.

Dave