2nd Gen JCW Most liked posts in thread: Intercooler recommendations

If your new wheels are attached to a Gen1 car, the factory intercooler does a pretty good job, and outperforms most of the aftermarket parts. Will the new IC bump you up a class?
If yes, the potential change in performance won't be worth it.

Pat

 

I put a FMIC on my 2011 MCS along with charge and discharge tubes. The difference was significant. The debate exists on whether a FMIC makes HP or merely preserves is due to cooler air. In AZ, I'd definitely get the FMIC just to make sure the turbo maintains a good supply of cooler air and your HP will remain constant. ALTA performance shows their FMIC increases HP, whereas Helix and Forge show the temp differentials. Feedback I've gotten is that with the FMIC you can experience anywhere from 15 to 18 HP gain; add a CAI and maybe get another 2 to 5 HP -- FWIW IMHO. By the way Helix and Forge FMIC will not require any frontend mod cuts but ALTA's does, from my understanding.
BZ

 

If auto crossing is your driving force, I suggest ditching the run flats and the heavy factory wheels for non-run flats and lighter wheels. That will boost your cars performance more than adding horsepower.

 

I believe improving performance in the "Weight to HP" ratio is the goal. So either one can change the numerator, or change the denominator. Either on will help it just sort of goes to how much money one can afford. If he can get around 200 HP for about $2K that would be the equivalent of trying to find how to reduce weight by almost 250# which is harder and more costly - IMHO. I figure, whatever is cheaper to do first, but keep moving in the direction of getting Wt/HP lower.

 

Get the Helix stepped core FMIC! Had mine a year and I seldom see more then a 1-2deg difference between ambient and IAT.

 

What AutoX class are you trying to run? Wheel size can also effect your classing.

 

Good point Way!

 

Funny, we were just having that discussion with a r53. So would that work for an R53?

 

I have to look again to make 100% sure but off the top of my head I don't think you can be wider than 8inch for STX. I've got some new wheels coming soon that we will be stocking that will be great for this.
STX is a real suspension class, as they allow almost anything for suspension.

 

If your that serious into AutoX I would suggest the Hsport Comp sway bar. Then I would make camber plates move up to the top of your list as that will save you alot of $$ on tire wear, and make you faster.

 

You'll still have a good daily driver with camber plates and a thick rear sway bar. And yes the 25.5mm hollow bar will fit. It comes with different brackets and bushings.

When you start getting custom valved shocks and installing a roll bar, then you're pushing the car over the line towards a competition car. Don't worry, you're nowhere near that. Camber plates and sway bar will actually make the car a better daily driver.

 

+1 for camber plates, if allowed by your class. Lots of folks run them on daily drivers with no ill effects. And HUGE front grip improvement when cornering.

 

Little rougher ride when you strike big seams but from having had both the IE fixed and the adjustable Vorshlags?

Vorshlag hands down.