whats better top mount IC or FMIC

[AaronW]

as the title says ,whats better,as i have an rx7 top mount intercooler which is great but i think a front mount looks the mutts,so whats the pro's and cons of them both,any relpy would be grateful! Thanks..Aaron

[lobotomy]

TMIC

Pros:

• Not much... Does the job up to a point
  
• Short piping route aids spool up
  
• Lower pressure drop across core
  

Cons:

• tends to suffer from heat soak, especially when stationary
  
• Less airflow over fins
  
• Probably won't be suitable for lots of boost or a bigger turbo
  

FMIC

Pros:

• Looks Good
  
• Better cooling as the core is directly in the flow
  
• Less Heatsoak
  
• Will allow you to upgrade turbo/run more boost further down the line
  

Cons:

• Introduces a bit of lag - time it takes for the turbo to fill the cooler
  
• Length of piping also introduces a bit of lag
  

That's just off the top of my head. Anyone else can comment on there opinions.

[AaronW]

thanx mate that helps!

[ben_j]

frount mount is better basically if you want power

[lobotomy]

Yeah an ideally sized FMIC probably won't cause noticable lag. Just don't go to big for the turbo you're running.

My big bro runs a pretty monster FMIC on his S13 and you can see it's effect on his power graph - But there isn't much noticable lag when driving.

[Guest Enzo]

for evey day conditions an uprated top mount is more then adiquate up to a point,

and because of the shorter inlet tract aids responce.

if you check most scoobys/pulsars and the like all stick with the more inificient top mount when turning up the boost.

im after an arc top mount, aparently good for 200bhp