[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

For most of us any of the good FMICs (ER, CPe, ETS, VRSF, etc) will work fine and help with heat soak issues. Yes, dollar per degree is relative for 95% of the folks out there.

For those racing their cars often and looking to wring out the most power and efficiency, the Helix and COBB stepped cores are the way to go. Both have an efficient design and are proven, but most importantly cost HALF of what the Dinan, stepped-core copy does.

I agree with most of what you said but I think you went a out there with the "half" price thing. We got readers around here that take stuff for granted so here are the facts:

Dinan FMIC is $1,104.15 (when discountable) max price is $1,299.00
http://dinancars.com/products/?keywords=D330-0015

Helix FMIC is: $959.95 - $1,000.00

Cobb FMIC: $950.00

I have been trying to get data comparison but its really difficult as you would technically need to change FMIC out on the same car with same tuning to rule out all the factors, and to get authentic unbias results

I do believe the stepped core will perform better. I personally would favor the Helix over the Cobb due to one thing for the price difference and that is the seperating bar design for smoother airflow due to the "rounded" front surface area

However there is no data comparison on which is better between the Cobb and Helix stepped cores.

My preference to the Dinan is I keep all my orginal piping connections in tact even though I am sacrificing air flow smoothness as claimed. In the end after hacking up your end pipes and then looking to trade in your car when asked to put everything back to OEM will cost you more money to fix. All depends on how anal the dealer is to be exact.

Are there better perfoming intercooler out there than Dinan ?, Yes of course. However, lets look at the reality of the picture as to "convenience" as not everyone here is a DIY person

[bigdaddycane]

my understanding was that the Dinan FMIC was $1,600....it was when it first came out. Steve musta had a change of heart when he saw low sales

Hacking up end pipes? I didn't have to when I installed my CP-e FMIC. I always keep my stock parts to revert back to stock in a sale or trade in situation. Selling aftermarket parts OFF the car is always a better way to go.

[LMB335IS]

7" VRSF was approx. $500 to my door with lower charge pipe. No hacking to the connectors but there was some trimming to the shroud. I don't care because I'm keeping the car and when I sell it the buyer gets it like it is. If I wanted to return it to stock and trade it in, I can guarantee you the dealer won't be pulling the bumper to see if I trimmed it. I've seen it maxed at 125 degrees after 8 or 9 multi gears, logged pulls. More than adequate for me in FL. But no, it's not a direct, no mod required IC.

[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

my understanding was that the Dinan FMIC was $1,600....it was when it first came out. Steve musta had a change of heart when he saw low sales

Hacking up end pipes? I didn't have to when I installed my CP-e FMIC. I always keep my stock parts to revert back to stock in a sale or trade in situation. Selling aftermarket parts OFF the car is always a better way to go.

Haha, I must have not been around for that pricing. I paid like $1150 for mine 4 years ago from an indy shop during Dinan's yearly discounts.

Dont you have to "cut" off the pre/post intercooler end pipe connections for the OEM c-clip couplers ?

Originally Posted by LMB335IS

7" VRSF was approx. $500 to my door with lower charge pipe. No hacking to the connectors but there was some trimming to the shroud.

See above....

Edit: I am going by what I see from install guides: advance to 2:47:

Ok it wasnt the pipe that was being cut it was the ring fastener not the pipe. My error.....

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by BuraQ

Dont you have to "cut" off the pre/post intercooler end pipe connections for the OEM c-clip couplers ?

Are we really going to consider this "hacking". So you have to use a hose clamp instead of the one you cut off when reverting back to stock but that hardly prohibits reversing back to stock. I'd be more concerned about trimming which would leave a big gap once you put the stock intercooler back on although that's the next guys problem lol

[bigdaddycane]

Originally Posted by stanlalee

Are we really going to consider this "hacking". So you have to use a hose clamp instead of the one you cut off when reverting back to stock but that hardly prohibits reversing back to stock. I'd be more concerned about trimming which would leave a big gap once you put the stock intercooler back on although that's the next guys problem lol

BurQ,

This ^

I had trash the sh!tty clamp on the "hot side" hose but can definitely reuse that hose when I revert back to stock with an aftermarket clamp of some sort.

[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by stanlalee

Are we really going to consider this "hacking". So you have to use a hose clamp instead of the one you cut off when reverting back to stock but that hardly prohibits reversing back to stock. I'd be more concerned about trimming which would leave a big gap once you put the stock intercooler back on although that's the next guys problem lol

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

BurQ,

This ^

I had trash the sh!tty clamp on the "hot side" hose but can definitely reuse that clamp when I revert back to stock with an aftermarket clamp of some sort.

I didnt pay close enough attention to what was being cut on that pipe and thought it was the actual pipe being cut...lol didnt realize it was pointing to the ring clamp, can barely see the darn thing from that angle...thanks for the clarification

Originally Posted by BuraQ

Ok it wasnt the pipe that was being cut it was the ring fastener not the pipe. My error.....