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XP or Phenolic SS IC?

G

gotboost3

New member
so im debating between getting an xp or getting a SS phenolic IC from minichopper and running a 3.2/3.0.....whats your guys vote? which will give me more bang for my buck...arent both around a 40whp gain?
 


an intercooler is easier to install, and you will be able to drop pulley sizes that equate to more than 40 hp. a cam would be nice but all the stuff you have to buy and go through is gonna be alot more than an intercooler. Not just saying this b/c i sell them, its my opinion.
 
ive heard people running the normal ssic from zzp and saying they can. The phenolic version is only going to help you as it wont absorb the heat from the engine like the aluminum one, killing its cooling capacity.
 
The cam...might be able to get away with a 3.2" with a good tune...but remember, just because you got a small ass pulley, doesn't mean your car is faster than the guy with a better tune and a bigger pulley.

I'd say at least a 3.2" on the IC...probably a 3.1" but keep in mind most people start going static on their injectors after a 3.1"/3.0"...so you might need bigger ones...just something to keep in mind.

I say cam, because it'll move your powerband and you'll notice gains A LOT in the mid range...you can run a guy and not get a downshift and pull just as hard...but, it won't be as streetable as an IC setup...but more fun IMO :D
 


I had an SSIC it was a worthless POS that didn't cool worth a ****. Its a half ass way of ICing IMO. I'm sure the phenolic helps some, but you still have a ****ty inner core. Buy his full version if anything.

Either go with a full IC or don't get one at all and go with the cam. You can NEVER have too much of an IC, if anyone says otherwise there an idiot plain and simple. You'll gain more with the cam than the SS IC hands down. For a couple hundred bucks more (if you shop around) you can get a full IC easily and its well worth it.

If you want to run a 3.0" with your mods you won't be able to with the SS IC, I promise. You'll be lucky to run a 3.25" absolutely knock free if anything. That core heat soaks so fast and takes forever to cool back down. With what you got now, if you add Rockers and a Full IC you'll be able to run a 2.9"-3.0" knock free on a good custom tune.
 
Gotta scan scan scan. If you're car is in good running order, you should be able to pull that off. Keep in mind too, pulley size doesn't mean ****, knock is what matters. Tune for good WOT fueling and no knock.

The full size will give you so much more room to play, its a good mod.

As for a 3.25, rockers, and alky, thats a good setup too. Devils Own can set ya up with a really nice kit.

I personally run a Full IC and a DevilsOwn kit.....
 
Shawn do you really see any more benefit from running both Meth AND IC? I was always wondering about it but it just seemed kinda overkill to me. But I guess the Meth cools the incoming charge and the IC further cools it after it comes out of the blower...btw there is a guy here with a damn good tune running a SSIC and a 3" Downpipe with stock manifolds and a 3.1" knock free ;) SSIC is just a option, didn't say it was the best one, but you can do a XP AND a SSIC for the money of a full-blown IC setup and go faster IMO :D
 


none. either get a FULLSIZE intercooler or a different cam.

the intercooler will net a more reliable car, though.
 
minichopper6hp said:
i personally feel the thin aluminum shell is what makes the ssic core heat soak faster.
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I think its beyond that I think its the core. A fullsized has quite a bit thicker shell and doesn't heat soak no where near what an SSIC does. I've been around both and messed with both many times, i'm not talking out of my ass.

Do some research on ClubGP about the SSIC, i'd say 3/4 of the people there get rid of the SS IC and go to a full and notice a big improvement. I'm not the only one out there preaching what i'm saying. If anyone wants tips on how to build a good IC system, contact me, i'll tell you what i've learned works. PRJ will preach what I say too, I learned most everything from him.

As the old saying goes... you can't polish a turd... the SS is a turd....
 
I vote for a fullsize intercooler. IF you're not wanting to get to invloved then that's your best bet.
 
And plus our fullsize I/C's are only 100 bucks more. It's a no brainer.
 


bluegtp91 said:
Shawn do you really see any more benefit from running both Meth AND IC? I was always wondering about it but it just seemed kinda overkill to me. But I guess the Meth cools the incoming charge and the IC further cools it after it comes out of the blower...btw there is a guy here with a damn good tune running a SSIC and a 3" Downpipe with stock manifolds and a 3.1" knock free ;) SSIC is just a option, didn't say it was the best one, but you can do a XP AND a SSIC for the money of a full-blown IC setup and go faster IMO :D
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Sure why not? There are many other applications out there running a roots blower, ICed, with Alky injection. My IC works good by itself and I don't need the Alky. I got the Alky to eventully drop to a smaller pulley and bump up some timing. Time and tuning will tell and i'm trying to learn how to do fuel tuning. I need help though, I feel I need collage to figure out the Powertuner.

Over the years I can only recall a couple people who claimed decent results with the SSIC. And even then they found its limitations and went to a Full sized and gained considerable head room. Its just a fact, its not effecent and heat soak really easy. My setup had a big FMHE, the 3.2 flojet, a fill T at first (which is cheap and gay IMO, good job ZZP) then i got a pressurized T from a Cobalt SS which helped but the core still sucked. Replaced the core with a fullsized unit, problem solved and it worked like a real IC should.

I have no proof but I'd be willing to bet the SSIC is completely heat soaked within 1/2 way if not 3/4 down a 1/4 mile strip. Compared to how my IC works, my other GTP S/C was always hot even crusiing, almost as if it was non iced. After a WOT run the S/C was so hot you couldn't touch it. Completely opposite from how mine works on the white GTP. My SC when crusing on a 105 degree day would still be cool to the touch and I could place my hand on it comfortably.
 
TDCRacing said:
And plus our fullsize I/C's are only 100 bucks more. It's a no brainer.
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Exactly, why buy the other? You'll waste the money now and buy the full later anyway, do it right the first time. Thats all i'm saying, just trying to save people some money in the end......
 
Iron Indian said:
Thats all i'm saying, just trying to save people some money in the end......
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You seem to always do that. And that's good. Everytime I see a SSIC discussion I'm like ok.. I'm going to have to tell them why it's not a good idea...But you always beat me to it. LOL It's like you know exactly when and where someone posts about it. :th_laugh-lol3:
 
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