My Intercooler Dilemma

[JohnnyT]

Most of you may know, but I decided to jump on the GB for the Turbine Tech Liquid-Air Intercooler. Weeks after the GB officially ended, they finally got word around to us that they don't have datalogs, thermal graphs, or REAL numbers to show us in comparison with the OEM TMIC, or any other aftermarket option for the matter.

So, now they said they can either wait to provide logs, or you can send the money and we'll get things going. I seemed to be the only one that hesitated and so have not sent my $850 in (I think I have good enough reasons). It'll be about 3 weeks and likely a month plus before this even gets in my hands...

Which brings me to another option. DCR (Darrell Cox Racing) is building a monster MS3 and saw a void with a solid TMIC option. They've said it'll be about 1-2 months before theirs is out. There is no doubt in my mind it will be the best TMIC, and also be about $350 cheaper.

So...what what you do if you were in my shoes? Not to dog Turbine Tech, but I had some bad fitment issues with their diff. mount. I understand a L-A IC is a superior option...but the DCR one is cheaper, will have perfect fitment, less "hassle" I suppose (I don't see it as much though).

Suppose I could read up on the SU TMIC too, but it seems it's around the $600 range.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[mndsm]

Well, I'd hold off til I saw TT's logs... and maybe a few people with them in their hands. I have no doubt that the DCR TMIC will be fresh as fuck, and well worth the cost. Honestly, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me to even bother upgrading the TMIC unless you're going to do ram air, and some sort of cowl venting to get the heat off the thing. Unless you can move the cooling portion AWAY from the hottest spot on the car, you're going to continue to have problems. If it were me, I'd do universal LAIC and put the radiator core in the bumper, or do FMIC.

 

[JohnnyT]

Well, I looked at the SU TMIC and the BATs look to be around 15-20 degrees cooler. I would like to see datalogs for the TT one, and requested that. As long as there's not a penalty I'll wait it out and compare that with the DCR one. I just can't justify the cost with no significant logs. A thermal graph would really be the cat's ass though.

 

[mndsm]

Yes, yes it would. I still geek out because you can dump ice in an aux cooling tank, run some lines through that, and get even LOWER charge temps. And you could probably cryo the radiator for it, and you're looking at WAY colder than amb. temps.

 

[dmention7]

If it were me, I'd hold out for some hard data on the TT setup. Once that is out, you can make some decisions about whether the extra dough gets you actual performance or just geek factor. Especially since the DCR piece should have some numbers floating around by that point.

FWIW, I have no doubt that both parts will be excellent for your application, but for the kind of dough you're talking about slinging around, you deserve to have some data to base your decision on.

 

[JohnnyT]

I think that's the best plan Jay. I just hope TT is willing to let that happen for me and maybe the others who are in the same position but just haven't spoke out yet. I believe in the principles of the L-A set-up, but having some past issues with TT, insufficient logs from their prototype, and the cost with no regard to performance is what has me on the fence.