Hi All,
 
Wondering if this is a worthy upgrade to the typical greddy/ebay style SMIC. http://racerxfabrication.com/mr2-celica/intercooler/large-core-side-mount
 
Have scoured the interwebs and found nothing on it so far. I guess with the price tag and availability of other SMIC, its unlikely someone will buy it...maybe those with more knowledge on the subject can chime in on whether theoretically it will make much of a difference over the other SMIC kits?
 
Cheers

I have one sitting in my garage that I'm hoping to have on in the next month or so. A larger core will perform better, the key is airflow though and if it doesn't get enough then it will have issues.
 
As you say there's not much on the internet about it so it is a bit of a gamble at this point, but I need something to support my new turbo so hopefully it pays off!

Did you buy it off their website? Total cost if you don't mind me asking, I might be tempted to head down that route too. Seems like a few things have to go (strut braces according to their website)? What size fan are you planning to use on it, standard 9" spal?
 
 

Yeh I got it from the website, total cost is hard to say though as I got Jeff to build me a few other things so that inflated the shipping costs substantially! A SPAL fan was included and yes I think it was 9" but its at the bottom of everything atm so I can't check right now. This is it installed along with everything else when they mocked it up before shipping.
 
 
 
Yeh x brace won't work with it but you can still use a strut brace that goes straight across like cusco's!

What turbo are you planning to run with it?
 

Heat management for bigger boost is one of the most critical aspects (along with correct fuel delivery).
The side mount is an upgrade from stock. The big improvement that needs to be done at the same time is the shroud and fan. The problem with side mount is heat soak from the engine bay. Heat shielding / fans is critical. Lots of builds are going boot mount cause of the massive difference in heat soak reduction by being in the boot. You can reduce heat soak with measures to stop radiating and air heat.
Steve has gone for a big strong build so needs the bigger core (plus lots of heat shielding and water/meth if it was me with unlimited funds - lol). Admire the build Steve.
How big is your build? How hard do you want to run the mr2 when it's above 20 degrees?
I am still in build mode and reading all I can, have a high flow ct26, upgraded fuel, other little mods, aim is 18psi (what I was running before but do it with longevity) and have the racer x side intercooler with shroud and fan (prior to the one your looking at), and lots of heat shielding.
Plan with the difference in costs of side intercooler is external intercooler water sprayer and depending on funds meth/water injection. Meth depending on funds :(

Unlimited money.... if only haha! Tony if your looking at external water spray options check this unit out, I plan to use it if heat soak is an issue. Elabtronics developed it in conjuntion with autospeed.com
 
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&title=Intelligent-Intercooler-Water-Spray-Part-1&A=0527
 
 
 

Mighty car mods water spray is worth a look ;-) :-P

5SGTE
Mighty car mods water spray is worth a look ;-) :-P

 
I think that was the first video of theirs I ever watched, great stuff haha!

I've just acquired a Trust SMIC etc so I'm interested in the topic.  Noob question:  How can you tell if your SMIC is heat soaked?
 
Colin