[Ant FR]

Ok, any idea on which one is best, there seems to be quite a few with just basic looking ones throught to mad ones such as the Alta version 2.

Does anyone actually have any experience of the Alta Version 2, anyone on here fitted one.

[Damo]

I think until these can be tested in perfect identical conditions that this argument won't end.

There are the DFIC style ones such as Alta V2 and M7 that seem to offer a great solution, however if you read some of the US threads there is still some talk of how effective these really are on their own (without adding other bits on such as heat mats or something).

Which leaves with the 4 standard ones I know of, Alta V1, GTT, GRS and Forge.

GTT's is the biggest..

But then again is bigger better?

I have the GRS one. I can't say catogorically that its the best one, but I personally think it is, certainly for the money. Plus its designed by someone who specialises in intercoolers/radiators.

Is the GTT £68 better than the GRS one?
Or the Alta V2 £149 better?

You could always do a pole on how many people have which intercoolers But then again the standard looking ones have been about longer so hardly fair towards them.

Each company will argue the merits of their own design. To be honest as far as the intercooler is concerned, your walking into a possible mind field of arguements of which is better. You'll get lots of different opinions.

Do a search I'm sure you'll find many threads with both sides of the arguements.

[Damo]

Found 2 for you...

http://www.mini2.com/forum/engine-dr...-gtt-best.html

http://www.mini2.com/forum/engine-dr...tt-vs-grs.html

[ScottyBoy]

Top answer Damo!

A poll will be good, i do know of one guy who has a Alta V2 on his GP which is Gary Bartle or 300GP not sure ive heard of many others on this forum with one!

[supercoopers]

Having seen the DFIC get so hot on a dyno that you could still fry an egg on it 20 minutes after the run, I would personally stay clear of that one...for comparison, the Alta, although similar in concept is ultimately way more effective (outlet horn was not as hot to touch on the Alta after a power run).

Cheers,

Henry

[Damo]

Just done a poll for Ant FR with him not being online...

http://www.mini2.com/forum/engine-dr...-you-have.html

[Ant FR]

cool cheers for chucking up the poll. I won't post on it yet seeing as i am changing my intercooler for another one. Just not happy with it, too many little niggles etc. And this Alta V2 does look interesting. Personal choice, if i had the time i would fabricate myself a front mount like i did on my previous Ibiza turbo, but with lack of time i can't. so alta may be the choice. really looking for commetn from anyone who has fitted one

[Rigsey]

Ant FR: You may want to look on NAM there is some interesting reading on their regarding DFIC (M7 and Alta).

Probably worth a read.

[roland2003]

hi guys, the size and positioning of the stock cooler is a long way from ideal therefore you need to grab any possible increase in size you can. Most use 50mmx8mm tubes therefore comparisons of capacity and surface area are quite easy. Also more tubes in parrellel is less restictive....you cant afford to lose pressure with a SC car as unlike a turbo you cant just bring the boost back up.
As said Grahams nicely made unit is 15% cheaper (we are vat registered thats why) but 15% smaller than the GTT. 16 tube item...Grahams has been out alot longer and has probably sold a few more because of this and the price difference.
DFIC.... now I havnt tested these ,Ive just read the forums and seen the pics.IMHO this is not likely to work,probably much worse than stock (worrying). And Im not suprised then once the hype wears off people are finding it doesnt work. First the area of the scoop window (which is already tiny ) gets 50% of it completly blocked off with the leading square edge of the the 4 tubes...the remaining area where the zig zag fins is lets air in but it has to travel so far back through the fins I suspect very little actually goes through. .. this is just my opinion guys so dont feel offended if you own one,.
.Big front mount intercooler ? Yes a good solution ,sadly its not easy, we do it on the GTT300 Turbo but as an upgrade for the SC car ?, theres been atempts but are too small.
Best Regards Roland GTT

[Richard Crofts]

Avoid the Forge one...when fitted it sits so tall that it actually block the air flow to the top as it comes through the scoop....the cooling is massivley compromised as the cold air hits the side of the IC instead of flowing onto the fin surfaces on the top.

The M7 and Alta ones have recieved mixed reviews...I like the principle but not too sure how much more effective lower number of bars can be even if they have beeter air to them....it must be a close trade-off...more air to less fins or less air to more fins???!


The GRS gets good reviews and is rated by many....some even rate it over the GTT one!

Personally I am torn between the two....I think that the GTT and GRS ones are so close to compare that my choice may come down to saving a few quid as I am not looking for ultimate power so if they are within a 1bhp or so etc of each other I'll opt for the cheaper

Time will tell though as more testing is done on the V2 alta and M7 DFIC

Oh and the GTT one looks BIG! I love it ... but cost for a few bhp might be what drives my eventual choice

[s33gav]

Surely an added bonus with the GTT one is the snoot boots and diffuser? With the GRS one would you use the standard clamps or retrofit the gtt snoot boots?

[ScottyBoy]

Quote: Originally Posted by s33gav (original)

Surely an added bonus with the GTT one is the snoot boots and diffuser? With the GRS one would you use the standard clamps or retrofit the gtt snoot boots?

You can retrofit the Snoots boots either Alta or GTT and the GRS does come with a diffuser!

[Damo]

The Snoot boots don't come with the GTT cooler last time I checked and with these you use the standard clamps anyway. As for the diffuser you get one with the GRS one aswell.

The fact is no has yet prooved conclusivly which is the better between GRS and GTT.

I could be wrong but I thought that the GRS one had been tested in the states by Randy Webb and it came on top of the Alta V1.

Until someone independant tests them all back to back in an enclosed temperaure controlled environment we'll never know.

[Aberdeen Al]

Quote: Originally Posted by s33gav (original)

Surely an added bonus with the GTT one is the snoot boots and diffuser? With the GRS one would you use the standard clamps or retrofit the gtt snoot boots?

The GTT snoot boots fit the GRS intercooler - I have these fitted to my car. I think that the snoot boots may fit the majority of the intercoolers as the interface dimesnions need to be the same to fit the original gap left by the OEM part.

With the GTT version you can fit the optional water spray relatively easily - with the GRS IC some sort of bracket would need to be fabricated - that's if you are going down this route as well.

[Rigsey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Aberdeen Al (original)

The GTT snoot boots fit the GRS intercooler - I have these fitted to my car. I think that the snoot boots may fit the majority of the intercoolers as the interface dimesnions need to be the same to fit the original gap left by the OEM part.

With the GTT version you can fit the optional water spray relatively easily - with the GRS IC some sort of bracket would need to be fabricated - that's if you are going down this route as well.

I've setup my own home brew intercooler spray on my GRS IC :-)

Will post a guide shortly ...

[ScottyBoy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rigsey (original)

I've setup my own home brew intercooler spray on my GRS IC :-)

Will post a guide shortly ...

Hmm Very interested keep us posted on that guide!

[chuntington101]

whats everyones opinions on chargecoolers??? the Pace one (i dont like it) has reasonable heat exchangers (pre rads) and the GSR one has a pretty big air 2 water cooler section. combined the two and you could have an impresive unit.

thanks Chris.

[Ant FR]

i niow see the problem with increased piping on the SC car, makes sense, forgot about that, i still think like a turbo owner too much. Anyway, read through the NAM stuff and onc you get passed the geeky **** of em all slagging each other off, there is some info. Most seems to be inconclusive, however i did wonder if you were to put another vent on the rear of the bonnett then air would be comfortably drawwn through the DFIC type quite well, but like Roland says it does seems hard to believe that the smaller area will allow better cooling. Although the ALTA does have IC spray, but i would never touch this after seeing the problems this can and has caused with cars. Seems to be the only real effective method is charge cooling, but then thats another 1000 quid, I assume with Chargecooling you would run some sort of ethanol or methanol mixture etc etc,

[Rigsey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ant FR (original)

i niow see the problem with increased piping on the SC car, makes sense, forgot about that, i still think like a turbo owner too much. Anyway, read through the NAM stuff and onc you get passed the geeky **** of em all slagging each other off, there is some info. Most seems to be inconclusive, however i did wonder if you were to put another vent on the rear of the bonnett then air would be comfortably drawwn through the DFIC type quite well, but like Roland says it does seems hard to believe that the smaller area will allow better cooling. Although the ALTA does have IC spray, but i would never touch this after seeing the problems this can and has caused with cars. Seems to be the only real effective method is charge cooling, but then thats another 1000 quid, I assume with Chargecooling you would run some sort of ethanol or methanol mixture etc etc,

What problems do IC sprays cause?

[Ant FR]

big boys toys have had 1 in where the spray has ended up leaking into the plug housing and as a result done damage and resulted in a cracked head. i also know a lot of the Scooby boys remove them too