Which to go with...

SRT_Addict said:

duster360 said:

Nothing will be gained by going to a direct fit IC. imo they're complete waste of cash, even if you had the stock turbo, which you don't.

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Have any data to back that statement up?

Not trying to be a dick, but I have noticed improvements with my upgraded direct fit.

Joe

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actual test data? unfortunatly no, all that the data that seems to be availible are "feelings" ei: "I felt an improvement" ,,,hardly a scientific double blind test.

I do have a very good reason for this statement and won't hesitate to back it up with a more techincal explanation

reasoning:
On most df IC the core size is nearly equal in frontal area of the stocker. Most are a bit thicker but anyone who knows anything about heat exchanger design knows that the last 1/2 of any core only does 1/4 the "work" of total heat transfer. So if you wanted to make a more efficient IC making the core thicker is the WORSE way to do it. The best way being a larger frontal area.

So if the thick core gains you very little what's left?? Well maybe they flow better?? I seriously doubt it....

Most df LOOK exactly like their larger counterparts only with a smaller core,,right? Unfortunately its been well documented that the little stock IC OUT PERFORMS("flow") these larger FMIC even though its 1/2 the size.(stock pressure drop of 1.9psi vs most BFMIC pressure drop of 3-4psi)

Since these df have an equal # of flow tubes(8) as the stocker but have the SAME horribly designed entanks as ther big brothers, i seriously doubt they will have a smaller pressure drop than the stocker.(smaller pressure drop = more "flow" like wise more pressure drop = MORE restricition)

So the increase in temp drop will be minimum, the pressure efficency will probably be horrendous,,,, so tell me again why to kids buy these pieces of crap???

The ONLY thing DF have over the stocker is a bit more mass so the time before they "heat soak" will be a bit better, but not much

IMO Spray the stocker or get a Big FMIC with better Pressure Efficiency than the stocker

duster, you harp on about pressure efficiency but it's not the end all of ic performance. thermal efficiency is important too and the stock tube and fin design performs worse for pressure efficiency than bar and plate designs. deeper cores are not optimal but do have an increased cooling effect. it is a case of diminishing returns by why you completely discount this is beyond me.

with a stock/staged car you generally will see minor gains (unless trying to run HOM) as the ecu always trys to run at a set engine torque output (will compensate with less boost for cooler air). but one important thing about thermal efficiency is knock. lower charge temp will result in higher timing being used which gives you more power. this might add up to something significant on a staged ecu especially if you run in hot weather all the time.

for s3 with toys a big ic should help *slightly* for you to hold HOM and generally run a bit more timing at the top end. i'd never advise anyone to ditch the crash bar tho. there are some well made DF ics that will net you some small gains.

imo the mopar sprayers are useless for anything but the slow drive back to staging on the 1/4 track.