Looks nice. I'd really like to see the rest of the plumbing and installation.
$1800 though? Yowza!
$1800 though? Yowza!
MINI Mania Water-to-Air Intercooler
Just received this via email flyer!
Not sure on the quality, but it looks like a very clean unit!
Anyone seen this? Comments?
http://new.minimania.com/web/SUBTYP..._MINI/Search/intercooler/Search_Inventory.cfm
Not sure on the quality, but it looks like a very clean unit!
Anyone seen this? Comments?
http://new.minimania.com/web/SUBTYP..._MINI/Search/intercooler/Search_Inventory.cfm
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
I’ve done loads of testing with charge coolers, admittedly on other makes of cars, and found that they only work up to 14 psi and no more!! The problem with a charge cooler is that heat sock is experienced when stopped in traffic, once on the move it takes about 4-5 miles for the water in the system to cool down, where as with a intercooler the charge air is been cooled instantly and of course its less complicated i.e. nothing to go wrong and more importantly less expensive. When cars run high boost the water can't be cooled down quick enough because of high ACT's, this is why you don’t see rally cars using them! Another problem raise’s is that some people think you need loads of water to get the charge cooler to work better, so they use large water reservoirs. By doing this the water has to queue up to go through the pre-rad, thus cause the water to heat up even more.
Aftermarket intercoolers make no sense (to me anyway) for street use. The stock intercooler is 70-80% efficient. I have yet to see DATA comparing an aftermarket one with a stock one. Even IF they are more efficient, are you going to pay $2000 for maybe 10% efficiency? I'm not. And unless you're tracking your MINI more than 50% of the time or you already have every mod under the sun, you shouldn't either.
A more efficient intercooler will give you more torque, throttle response and bhp, this was proved when I did tests back to back with the original intercooler on the rolling road.greatgro said:Aftermarket intercoolers make no sense (to me anyway) for street use. The stock intercooler is 70-80% efficient. I have yet to see DATA comparing an aftermarket one with a stock one. Even IF they are more efficient, are you going to pay $2000 for maybe 10% efficiency? I'm not. And unless you're tracking your MINI more than 50% of the time or you already have every mod under the sun, you shouldn't either.
I seem to recall reading a thread (here or on NAM) that described the differences in the stock intercooler and the Alta A-A unit. Two MINIs were playing grab ass on the roads for an hour or two. Came to a stop and popped the bonnets. The MCS with the stock unit could burn your hand to the touch, I believe the author wrote that you could cook an egg on it! On his car, with the Alta A-A unit, you could touch the intercooler while putting weight down on your hand. I member that because I thought, wow, that is a heck of a difference in temperatures...
Now granted, not very scientific, but the temp difference has to be noticeable... Which to me, would translate into a colder intake temp, more power...
Now granted, not very scientific, but the temp difference has to be noticeable... Which to me, would translate into a colder intake temp, more power...
I have a GR job on order, I am thinking it will allow me (and ole PKT RKT) to retain the title of quickest MINI this side of the known universe..... 
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
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