Which FMIC has the least pressure drop

[m3dragon]

I am new to the 1M and have been trying to do some HW on what mild upgrades to start with. One question i can't find data on is out of all the FMIC is which offers the least pressure drop?

I have tried searching so don't ask. Either I am searching something to direct or I need a more vague criteria.

Based on what I have found the Helix one only drops .5 PSI? However on a poll of which FMIC people like it is the VK motorworks cause of the price?

ETS has more streamlined ducting. If anyone has info or a link that would be great.

[Fundahl]

The new Helix V2 is a good piece. HPF, AMS and CX are also good without factory couplers.

[Pete_vB]

Originally Posted by m3dragon

I am new to the 1M and have been trying to do some HW on what mild upgrades to start with. One question i can't find data on is out of all the FMIC is which offers the least pressure drop?

I have tried searching so don't ask. Either I am searching something to direct or I need a more vague criteria.

Based on what I have found the Helix one only drops .5 PSI? However on a poll of which FMIC people like it is the VK motorworks cause of the price?

ETS has more streamlined ducting. If anyone has info or a link that would be great.

I think you're over-simplifying by focusing on that question. A simple straight through cross-pipe will have the lowest pressure drop. Unfortunately it won't do much in the way of intake air cooling...

Generally more pressure drop = better cooling, but low pressure drop = low boost, fast spooling, etc. Looking at pressure drop only gives half the picture, unfortunately.

[m3dragon]

Originally Posted by Pete_vB

I think you're over-simplifying by focusing on that question. A simple straight through cross-pipe will have the lowest pressure drop. Unfortunately it won't do much in the way of intake air cooling...

Generally more pressure drop = better cooling, but low pressure drop = low boost, fast spooling, etc. Looking at pressure drop only gives half the picture, unfortunately.

A straight pipe would be nice if it could cool =)

I guess which one offers the best of both worlds. Based on what I was reading and how I will drive he car, AMS or ETS looks like the best of both worlds.

[euro2fast4u]

average pressure drop for intercoolers is ~2psi, however like in this diagram (quick drawing)



you will see that most of the air will go through the middle of the intercooler or where its the easiest path. this causes this section to heat up and not work as efficient. I would choose a FMIC with over engineered end tanks that prevent this from happening.

[GaryS]

I remember a couple years ago the consensus was that Dinan/Spearco/Code3 had the least pressure drop. I don't know if that's still true since there are more intercoolers on the market now.

[m3dragon]

Originally Posted by GaryS

I remember a couple years ago the consensus was that Dinan/Spearco/Code3 had the least pressure drop. I don't know if that's still true since there are more intercoolers on the market now.

So I would guess those 3 still offer the same results? So far I am thinking the ETS one might be the best as it includes more streamlined plumbing.

Based on the image above of flow dynamics, wouldn't it be safe to say if you use a more streamlined in and exit air flow setup. Wouldn't that keep the same pressure?

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by GaryS

I remember a couple years ago the consensus was that Dinan/Spearco/Code3 had the least pressure drop. I don't know if that's still true since there are more intercoolers on the market now.

If anyone is interested in the old Spearco/Code3 FMIC, I am more than happy to post contact info to the manufacture for you to purchase one directly. We used to carry this FMIC until our contract with Code3 ran out, then Code3 went out of business and many other lower cost FMIC's came to the market.

[eric@helix]

There is not a linear relationship between pressure drop and cooling. An intercooler with poor laminar flow across the core will not necessarily have better cooling: there are other factors such as charge row count, fin design, and fin density, which have a bearing on the capacity of the intercooler to cool. Our tanks are CAD designed for optimal flow, and we have bull-nosed bars inside the tanks, so we can minimize pressure drop while getting the best data-logged efficiency that I have seen.

[BrokenVert]

As others have said. Its a tough thing to figure out. Anyone whose taken a university Fluid Dynamics class can attest to it.

Pressure drop isnt the only variable, theres also, flow density, if the flow is laminar or turbulent, etc...

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

As others have said. Its a tough thing to figure out. Anyone whose taken a university Fluid Dynamics class can attest to it.

Pressure drop isnt the only variable, theres also, flow density, if the flow is laminar or turbulent, etc...

We have flow benched(Superflow bench) a bunch of FMIC's and found our custom made FMIC(internal fins for added cooling) we were running for Redline Time Attack was the most restrictive in terms of pressure drop even more so than the oem FMIC, but on the other hand it also provided the best cooling(more efficient) and made the most HP and TQ on the dyno. Lower pressure drop isn't always better.