Australian IC?

[jcw2006aus]

Hi Guys,

I am looking at getting an up rated Intercooler. I have spoken to these guys http://www.processwest.com.au/website/ and they are very interested in making a custom IC, Do you think this would be worth while chasing up.... I think it would be good to get something local and their workmanship looks very good.....

or are we better off sticking with something from the US?

Let me know

Thanks

[WAY]

I am going to get an intercooler too, through Andrew. It's a Active Autowerke's one. Why get something custom made when there is already something available?

[xa-coupe]

Originally Posted by WAY

I am going to get an intercooler too, through Andrew. It's a Active Autowerke's one. Why get something custom made when there is already something available?

Way, can you do a dyno run before and after the IC ?? it's one of those things I am always curious about.. just how much difference an IC makes.

[WAY]

it shouldn't make any difference. But it will prevent heat soak on track days especially!

[MikeVictor]

+1 to WAY.

After fooling around with turbo's and IC's on my WRX I can say that you might be better off spending the money elsewhere if it's your first mod.

Your stock IC should have more than enough cooling capacity for your car I would have thought.

If you're going to be putting a bigger turbo on then it might be worthwhile upgrading.

Usually the first place to start with performance mods will be either the ECU or exhaust. These tend to offer best "bang for buck" performance increases.

[DTNJNQ]

You can improve the efficiency of the standard intercooler by installing a water spray. I would do this before replacing the intercooler. I had one of these on my WRX.

[WAY]

Yup, agree with all above. I have done downpipes and ECU, and the ability to maintain the power I have achieved is next. At the same time I am going to start on the handling side of things.

[Yep 135]

Originally Posted by DTNJNQ

You can improve the efficiency of the standard intercooler by installing a water spray. I would do this before replacing the intercooler. I had one of these on my WRX.

That is a top idea. Value for money. Did it help much? Wow now I remember I had an sti 2002 and it had a spray on it from the factory. 2lt water holder in the boot. Did help in the summer and also IC is on top of engine so lots of heat soak.
I recon you are right, water spray can only help with the std setups we have now. Better than changing over to a bigger IC. You would only need to do this if you were to go with higher (more air)flow turbo's.
Water spray and cone air filters, pretty good value. Add down pipes and/or exhaust, thats good reliable power. Add a chip(nothing too drastic) and double wow.
If you want to go further its really going to cost you some (lots of) bucks.

[qship]

My Lib GT runs about 30% more power at the wheels than std and I use the original intercooler, but with an auto waterspray set to 10 psi (max boost is 14.5) via a hobbs swtch.

In winter it makes little noticable difference, but in summer it definitely helps minimise heat soak (a major problem of the top mount intercooler) and the car performs more consistantly.

For less than a hundred dollars it is excellent value. I agree with the comments above. Unless you run big boost or do track time, a bigger IC is not necessary.

[DTNJNQ]

As qship said, the water spray helped in summer. The idea is to spray a fine mist of water onto the intercooler. I made my own and had it connected to a pressure switch which would activate the pump own a certain boost pressure was reached. Still have all the parts.

Autospeed web site has some good articles on a DIY water sprays.

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_2720/article.html
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_2719/article.html

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_107796/article.html
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_107797/article.html

[WAY]

I agree that if you are not doing track time with the car, or that your car is not chipped, then don't bother. Mine has chip and DP, and is used on the track as often as possible, so it isn't an option for me. I would probably look into the water spray too as a few 135i race cars have run into limp home mode issues due to high temp. Anyone can point to a good one?

[WAY]

Originally Posted by DTNJNQ

As qship said, the water spray helped in summer. The idea is to spray a fine mist of water onto the intercooler. I made my own and had it connected to a pressure switch which would activate the pump own a certain boost pressure was reached. Still have all the parts.

Autospeed web site has some good articles on a DIY water sprays.

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_2720/article.html
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_2719/article.html

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_107796/article.html
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_107797/article.html

Wow, this is really cool! I will just wait till you get your car and build this pump, that way you can just build 2. :biggrin: I would do it if I am any good at these things!

[DTNJNQ]

Way, You can easily make one yourself.

If you want a ready made one, MRT Rally have them

http://www.mrtrally.com.au/performance/docs/PP_%20waterspray.pdf

AVO Turbo World in Melbourne should also have them.

http://www.avoturbo.com/avoshop/

You can also get a CO2 spray kit however it is alot more expensive.

http://www.expressparts.com.au/prodd...sp?prod=080102