Intercooler dilemna... what to do?
#1
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The intercooler I bought off eBay is turning out to be a slight pain. The inlet/outlet are 2" diameter... and that seems to be a difficult size to come by in a kit.
Facts:
The inlet to the throttle body is 2.5"
The compressor outlet on most T25's are 2"
Bigger piping is better than smaller piping for flow (to a degree). 2.5" piping is not a problem to run through the spaces allowed.
Nobody makes a 2" kit on ebay.
So, what I'm thinking about doing is just getting rid of the intercooler I've got now and buying one of the 2.5" ebay kits that come with the black piping that I love and include an intercooler. They go for about $150 shipped. The only other thing I'd need would be a 2.5-2" reducer for the compressor outlet.
I can piece together a complete 2" pipe/coupler kit but it's going to cost me the same as simply buying a 2.5" kit that comes with an intercooler. Then I can resell the current one to recover costs.
But I'm still going to wait until the turbo gets here and I can put it on and see exactly what I need. Then I'll buy the kit (or parts) and change the clutch while I'm waiting for the parts to ship. The new turbo shipped from PA yesterday... should be here tomorrow. DP should be here today.
I also think the compressor inlet is a 2" piece, but the MAF is a 3"... so I need a reducer coupler there and a length of 3" pipe or a 180* bend or something... again, figure it out when it's up on jacks and I can lay everything out and measure.
Facts:
The inlet to the throttle body is 2.5"
The compressor outlet on most T25's are 2"
Bigger piping is better than smaller piping for flow (to a degree). 2.5" piping is not a problem to run through the spaces allowed.
Nobody makes a 2" kit on ebay.
So, what I'm thinking about doing is just getting rid of the intercooler I've got now and buying one of the 2.5" ebay kits that come with the black piping that I love and include an intercooler. They go for about $150 shipped. The only other thing I'd need would be a 2.5-2" reducer for the compressor outlet.
I can piece together a complete 2" pipe/coupler kit but it's going to cost me the same as simply buying a 2.5" kit that comes with an intercooler. Then I can resell the current one to recover costs.
But I'm still going to wait until the turbo gets here and I can put it on and see exactly what I need. Then I'll buy the kit (or parts) and change the clutch while I'm waiting for the parts to ship. The new turbo shipped from PA yesterday... should be here tomorrow. DP should be here today.
I also think the compressor inlet is a 2" piece, but the MAF is a 3"... so I need a reducer coupler there and a length of 3" pipe or a 180* bend or something... again, figure it out when it's up on jacks and I can lay everything out and measure.
#2
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most setups utilize 2" hot pipes and go to 2.5" after the intercooler. I'd just buy the bends you need from something like JC whitney. And if the couplers that come with the kit are typical ebay quality parts then they are not high temperature reemforced silicone and will warp/stretch/fail after time.
this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-45-...ayphotohosting
plus a 90* will get you around the radiator back up (90*), another 180* and you'll have the basic GReddy style setup.
You really want some good silicone and clamps on boosted pipes. When I replaced all my cheap Ebay silicone they were so warped and mangled it was embarrasing, plus the fact that one failed on me.
this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-45-...ayphotohosting
plus a 90* will get you around the radiator back up (90*), another 180* and you'll have the basic GReddy style setup.
You really want some good silicone and clamps on boosted pipes. When I replaced all my cheap Ebay silicone they were so warped and mangled it was embarrasing, plus the fact that one failed on me.
#4
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most setups utilize 2" hot pipes and go to 2.5" after the intercooler. I'd just buy the bends you need from something like JC whitney. And if the couplers that come with the kit are typical ebay quality parts then they are not high temperature reemforced silicone and will warp/stretch/fail after time.
this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-45-...ayphotohosting
plus a 90* will get you around the radiator back up (90*), another 180* and you'll have the basic GReddy style setup.
You really want some good silicone and clamps on boosted pipes. When I replaced all my cheap Ebay silicone they were so warped and mangled it was embarrasing, plus the fact that one failed on me.
this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-45-...ayphotohosting
plus a 90* will get you around the radiator back up (90*), another 180* and you'll have the basic GReddy style setup.
You really want some good silicone and clamps on boosted pipes. When I replaced all my cheap Ebay silicone they were so warped and mangled it was embarrasing, plus the fact that one failed on me.
The ebay company that I ordered my sillicon through has peftectly nice sillicon. Its 3 ply which is more than enough really. I got some sillicon from ATP turbo and it was 4 ply but honestly 3 ply is fine. I will say that some ebay companies do use cheap *** stretchy sillicon and its not worth a ****
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#5
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Sam,
Here is the same company that I got my pipes from. They stock the 2" stuff, maybe you can use that ic after all![wink](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/wink.gif)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Inter...mZ230026005352
Here is the same company that I got my pipes from. They stock the 2" stuff, maybe you can use that ic after all
![wink](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/wink.gif)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Inter...mZ230026005352
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I know I posted this before, but I think I need this parts list. Don't forget, with the DSM Compressor Housing being clocked down, the compressor outlet will face forward and be several inches below manifold itself... it will also be about flush with the front of the manifold. I don't recall ever seeing a DSM compressor housing used on a Miata before... it'd be nice to have a pic.
Here's an exact pic of the turbo I bought: http://users.megapathdsl.net/~sin/ca...s/garrett2.jpg
Turbo-IC all 2":
Straight Coupler
45* Pipe bend down
45* Coupler pointed out
45* Pipe through Radiator Hose Loop
90* Coupler into IC
IC-TB:
90* Coupler
45* Pipe straight back and then bend to go under swaybar mount.
90* Coupler pointed up
Short Section of 2" Straight Pipe
2"-2.5" Enlarger Coupler
Short Section of 2.5" Pipe
90* 2.5" Coupler into TB
This all seems pretty easy, but it's still $150 bucks for all this!!! WTF!!! I can buy twice as much pipe and an IC for less. It's the silicone stuff that's killing me.
This Paint shows what I'm talking about w/exception of the 2"-2.5" enlarger in the up-pipe to the TB. A 90* 2"-2.5" coupler is about $50 I found out, screw that!
https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/at...6&d=1159483527
Here's an exact pic of the turbo I bought: http://users.megapathdsl.net/~sin/ca...s/garrett2.jpg
Turbo-IC all 2":
Straight Coupler
45* Pipe bend down
45* Coupler pointed out
45* Pipe through Radiator Hose Loop
90* Coupler into IC
IC-TB:
90* Coupler
45* Pipe straight back and then bend to go under swaybar mount.
90* Coupler pointed up
Short Section of 2" Straight Pipe
2"-2.5" Enlarger Coupler
Short Section of 2.5" Pipe
90* 2.5" Coupler into TB
This all seems pretty easy, but it's still $150 bucks for all this!!! WTF!!! I can buy twice as much pipe and an IC for less. It's the silicone stuff that's killing me.
This Paint shows what I'm talking about w/exception of the 2"-2.5" enlarger in the up-pipe to the TB. A 90* 2"-2.5" coupler is about $50 I found out, screw that!
https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/at...6&d=1159483527
#8
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then route your intercooler hot pipes exactly like I did.
https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/sh...08&postcount=2
https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/sh...08&postcount=2
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Here's an exact pic of the turbo I bought: http://users.megapathdsl.net/~sin/ca...s/garrett2.jpg
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