The BayArea TMIC arrived today...again. This time the inlet and outlet pipes matched up beautifully. The stock intercooler was swapped with the BayArea one in minutes and I was off to test it. No leaks, steady boost at 13psi which is where I have my boost controller current set to, and the only rubbing issue with the hood is the blowoff valve body and this only occurs with engine movement. I'm not too concerned about this as it's very trivial and has only caused a small cosmetic blemish on the SSQV.
Originally when I had this intercooler fitted I lacked a boost controller and boost gauge. The car had a 3inch Motoria exhaust system from the downpipe back(stock downpipe still in use) and that was it as far as engine modifications go. From what I can tell the use of the intercooler alone increased my boost levels around 2psi as using it made the turbo and blowoff valve a lot louder This was a nice gain in my opinion. Now that I have installed a boost controller set to 13psi and reinstalled the BayArea TMIC I've noticed a slightly smaller increase down low with moderate throttle compared to the intercooler installed at stock boost levels. This is probably because I've capped my boost at 13psi. At WOT it's noticeable the intercooler flows a lot better, the engine doesn't sound as restrained either. Power delivery appears to be smoother and it has a bit more grunt, although not as noticeable as a jump when using this intercooler with stock boost settings. I'm pretty sure at 13psi I'm not coming anywhere close to the flow limits of this intercooler so it should be safe to say the performance benefits aren't completely being tapped into.
My overall opinion on the BayArea TMIC:
Now that Chris has "re-worked" the intercooler the way he meant to make it the first time around I feel it's a good value for a high flowing top mount. The welds are nothing to laugh at, the fitment overall I'd give a 90% in regards to a direct bolt on(still recommend using new silicone couplers/connectors instead of the stock ones, and you will have to remove the rubber air guide from the underside of the hood scoop), the power increase over the stock intercooler at stock boost levels is a nice surprise and at increased boost levels the higher flowing nature of this intercooler is a great upgrade.
Below are two more pictures. One is of the Fuel Cut Defender install location, and the other is how the reworked intercooler fits up. Notice the location of the manual boost controller(to the right of the intercooler above the SSQV and next to the AFM). Close enough to the turbo, yet in a location that is out of the way and easy to get at for boost pressure changes.
This will probably be one of the last updates for this project as she's nearing completion. I'm STILL waiting for Kris at KO Racing to ship my SB46 Turbo kit(it's almost been 4 months!! :shoots: ) In the future I MAY decide to run around 18psi and obviously this will require more money and more modifications so I'll have to see how things go. Until I make up my mind on how far I want to take this project I'll consider it finished after the SB46 install.