All the Available Aftermarket FMICs are Bad

[BigBird]

This is inaccurate, I paid $840 for the Airtec shipped to my door, it arrived in under a week. PRL is $860 to $900 depending on whom you buy it from

I just did the math from their website. So how is it incorrect?

Sponsored

 

[AspecR]

I just did the math from their website. So how is it incorrect?

View attachment 252350

Because their website isn’t the best place to buy it sweetie

 

[AspecR]

Hell if you ask nicely I can give you a discount code to get it for even less

 

[BigBird]

Because their website isn’t the best place to buy it sweetie

I was not wrong, but dream surpringsly is cheaper is rare, but shipped is $844 which is still more expensive than the PRL when on discount is about $679

 

[AspecR]

I was not wrong, but dream surpringsly is cheaper is rare, but shipped is $844 which is still more expensive than the PRL when on discount is about $679

Is it on discount now?

 

[NoviceFL5owner]

Airtec is bar and plate, I chose bar and plate because they tend to be more robust for street usage. It’s also the cheapest intercooler on the market right now. I know some FK8 guys here in Florida and Europe that had great things to say so I went with it.

How often are you tracking your car? When it goes to the track what kind of driving will you be doing? Extended stints? Autocross? If your car is just a street car that sees occasional track then there is no bad choice between the MDR or Airtec. Is your car stock turbo? Is it going to stay stock turbo for your ownership? What’s your budget? The MDR is one of the most expensive on the market, if you can get 90% of the performance at 60% of the price, then that seems like a fair trade to me. If it was my money I’d go Airtec, also because they only offer it in black and the car looks like it no longer has an intercooler unless you’re up close.

I just bought my car on Dec 16th and we had a snow storm so I haven't made it to the track yet. I like to get everything together when I first get a car so I ordered prl intercooler, prl front pipe, tsp downpipe, prl hvi intake, and acuity stage 2 shift kit the first week I had the car while trying to get through the break-in period. I also ordered a prl turbo inlet but the price was questionable and it ended up being the wrong part, so I had to send that back. My first goal is 400whp&tq which can be done on the stock turbo. But I know that won't last long as I don't like how the stock turbo falls off before redline. So I know an upgraded turbo is in my future. None of the turbos out there meet my perfect specs but I'm looking at the 27won, +, & the rv6 turbos. I'm currently looking at getting the MDR intercooler. I just need to sell this brand new prl one first. I just hate that there's not a define answer on which intercooler is best for track use.

 

[BigBird]

I was not wrong, but dream surpringsly is cheaper is rare, but shipped is $844 which is still more expensive than the PRL when on discount is about $679

Is it on discount now?

 

[BigBird]

I just hate that there's not a define answer on which intercooler is best for track use.

What are your goals? Time Attack, 1 Hot lap, what class are you running?
HPDE?. What tires are you using? What driving group do you belong to?

There's lots of answers based on your goals

 

[Vito.FL5]

It sounds like you should go fast on the straights and go slower on the corners lmfao
But really it doesn't sound like this is the right platform for you. Might do better in a gutted EK with k24 that way you can do more than 1 lap and keep a few bucks in your pocket.

I have both.

The EK can take a lot more beating and its a lot of fun, it´s not a K24 yet but it has a boosted F22 that does the job quite well. Can do around 500ish but it´s been detuned because otherwise it would be too much fun lol.

THe R runs on A60 tires, sticky pads etc its not an endurance car and doesn´t have to be, honestly.

 

[AspecR]

Aren’t those the 1.5t PRL intercoolers? PRL rarely, if ever lets a dealer sell their product for that much lower than them.

 

[NoviceFL5owner]

What are your goals? Time Attack, 1 Hot lap, what class are you running?
HPDE?. What tires are you using? What driving group do you belong to?

There's lots of answers based on your goals

I haven't raced in a while so I'll be a novice. I plan to buy Apex vs-5rs 18x9.5 and start with khumo Ecsta V730 275/35r18's and work my way up from there. I've never had the time to race so I'm guessing I'll start at the easiest one. But I want to buy parts once and not have to upgrade again. So I want it to be ready for endurance.
I just saw the Wagner intercooler. It is tube and fin. Looks interesting.

 

[AspecR]

I just bought my car on Dec 16th and we had a snow storm so I haven't made it to the track yet. I like to get everything together when I first get a car so I ordered prl intercooler, prl front pipe, tsp downpipe, prl hvi intake, and acuity stage 2 shift kit the first week I had the car while trying to get through the break-in period. I also ordered a prl turbo inlet but the price was questionable and it ended up being the wrong part, so I had to send that back. My first goal is 400whp&tq which can be done on the stock turbo. But I know that won't last long as I don't like how the stock turbo falls off before redline. So I know an upgraded turbo is in my future. None of the turbos out there meet my perfect specs but I'm looking at the 27won, +, & the rv6 turbos. I'm currently looking at getting the MDR intercooler. I just need to sell this brand new prl one first. I just hate that there's not a define answer on which intercooler is best for track use.

Tube and fin intercoolers due to their nature, displace heat quicker, generally have less pressure drop and allow for quicker turbo spool. 90% of race applications use tube and fin intercoolers, all Formula 1 cars use tube and fin intercoolers.

Bar and plate intercoolers are slower to heat soak but when they do heat soak they take longer to dissipate the accumulated heat. Generally they can get to lower air charge temps, they do introduce more turbo lag and pressure drop tho. They’re also more robust, I recommend bar and plate for street cars, even those that see occasional track use.

Think of it as the difference between Aluminum foil vs an aluminum plate or bar.

There isn’t a best answer, only what’s best for your application.

 

[NoviceFL5owner]

Well I was going to go with MDR, I think I'm going to go with the Wagner just bc of cooling purposes and the Tube and fin breathing capabilities. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[BigBird]

Well I was going to go with MDR, I think I'm going to go with the Wagner just bc of cooling purposes and the Tube and fin breathing capabilities. Thanks for the info guys.

The Wagner is heavy I believe

 

[NoviceFL5owner]

It weighs 21 lbs. The PRL prolly weighs close to the same.

Sponsored