Which is more beneficial?

[Lesane]

I need assistance in making a decision... I have a little bit of money that needs to be spent, and im trying to decide whether to buy an Intercooler, or Headers. Im going to get both eventually, but at the momment I'm just buying one, and can't decide which. I know its probably rediculous that my car doesnt have headers yet, but somehow thats the way it worked out. Which would be better to get RIGHT now? My car gets driven in SC and FL, both of which are HOT. I imagine my intake temps are nothing even slightly cool, and headers will increase the underhhod temps too. Im 50/50 on it, so can someone help sway my decision? Thanks!

 

[BurningRubber]

Well, first off, what is your setup?

I assume you are supercharged.

If thats the case, and it were me... i'd go with an intercooler. Help keep the IAT's down and your motor happy with some cooler air. I live in SC, so I know all about the nasty hot and humid weather that you will experience. Also spent time in FL, its no better... haha.

The only headers worth getting IMO are longtubes, and they are a PITA to install. Not only do you need them, but you also need a new mid-pipe. Thats more money on top of it right there.

 

[LaserSVT]

Def. get the I/C. Not only can you up the boost safely but the lower IAT will be better for the engine
The I/C will give you WAY more power with just colder air then the long tubes will.

Of course long tubes do sound sweet

 

[FoxRod87]

Yes I would do the intercooler and then get longtubes and a good tune.

 

[Lesane]

Ya, I guess it would have been nice if I told you what I was working with, huh? LOL! My bad... I have a 98 GT with a Vortech ~10psi, 42# injectors, 90mm Lightning MAF. I have a BBK Catted H-pipe, but have plans for an O/R-X... and I also have a DynoMax Catback system. I would rather do longtubes too, but my car is too low, and when you take into account the fact that I have to go over SIXTEEN speedbumps per day to get to work, I dont think longtubes are in my best interest! I had shorty's in mind... not the ones that somewhat resemble factory manifolds, but the ones with the crazy tagled tubes (lol). Are they called mid-length? So is the concensus still the FMIC? Should I be worried about in increase in coolant temp because of it?

 

[LaserSVT]

Ya, I guess it would have been nice if I told you what I was working with, huh? LOL! My bad... I have a 98 GT with a Vortech ~10psi, 42# injectors, 90mm Lightning MAF. I have a BBK Catted H-pipe, but have plans for an O/R-X... and I also have a DynoMax Catback system. I would rather do longtubes too, but my car is too low, and when you take into account the fact that I have to go over SIXTEEN speedbumps per day to get to work, I dont think longtubes are in my best interest! I had shorty's in mind... not the ones that somewhat resemble factory manifolds, but the ones with the crazy tagled tubes (lol). Are they called mid-length? So is the concensus still the FMIC? Should I be worried about in increase in coolant temp because of it?

What you are refering to is equal length shorty headers. You would be better off with mid lengths though

 

[Lesane]

Yup, thats right, equal length shorties (I swear I knew that, lol)... So mid-length would be better? So what do you say, breathe in cooler, or exhale easier? FMIC or headers now that I posted some mods? Also, what about coolant temp when there is an intercooler in front of the radiator heating the air before it gets there? Thanks so far!

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

Still have NPI heads?

 

[Lesane]

Unfortunately yes. Still completely NPI up top. NPI and PI heads have the same exhaust ports, right?

 

[Team Ford]

I think this is the first time Ive read about someone modding their car the way this whole board tells them to. Save your money and get the supercharger first.

My hat is off to you sir.

 

[LaserSVT]

I think this is the first time Ive read about someone modding their car the way this whole board tells them to. Save your money and get the supercharger first.

My hat is off to you sir.

He has a supercharger, just needs an I/C

 

[Team Ford]

He has a supercharger, just needs an I/C

Yea thats what I meant...I should have put "save your money and get a superchanger" in quotes.

 

[mrvax]

I'd select the intercooler myself without a doubt.

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

Unfortunately yes. Still completely NPI up top. NPI and PI heads have the same exhaust ports, right?

Yup. I'd save up some money to take off your heads, send them to MMR for $550 porting then install them again with LT's.

Intercooler isn't a bad first step at all though.

 

[LaserSVT]

Yea thats what I meant...I should have put "save your money and get a superchanger" in quotes.

Oh, I got ya. Like "Hey get a supercharger" and he got one

Like me, everyone said "Loose the grills on the Termi" and I did.... followed be "Why did you remove the grills?'
Freakin StangNet

 

[Lesane]

So it looks like the FMIC takes the win... I honestly thought headers would have, because the manifolds look pretty restrictive, especially for a boosted app. But like I said, I was 50/50 on it, and looking for some reasons to lean one way or the other. I appreciate it everyone! Still a question left unanswered though. Is there anything to worry about having a daily FL/SC driver with a FMIC, because of the coolant temps? Do I need to worry about running hot? Also, I plan on taking care of my heads via porting or PI swap, just not at the momment. And lastly, Laser & Team Ford, you lost me... Im not seeing what your gettin at.... can you elaborate?

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

So it looks like the FMIC takes the win... I honestly thought headers would have, because the manifolds look pretty restrictive, especially for a boosted app. But like I said, I was 50/50 on it, and looking for some reasons to lean one way or the other. I appreciate it everyone! Still a question left unanswered though. Is there anything to worry about having a daily FL/SC driver with a FMIC, because of the coolant temps? Do I need to worry about running hot? Also, I plan on taking care of my heads via porting or PI swap, just not at the momment. And lastly, Laser & Team Ford, you lost me... Im not seeing what your gettin at.... can you elaborate?

Don't do PI heads, it'll raise your compression too high for boost and it'll make it very hard to tune and make power.
What those guys are talking about is it's nice to see someone who did a supercharger as one of their first mods instead of seeking N/A power like everyone does first, because everyone here recommends a supercharger as one of the first mods but now one ever does it.

 

[Lesane]

Thanks! I knew PI heads raised the comp. but I didnt know it was to the point where it was a bad idea for a FI car. Noted though. So I'll go for the porting then when the time comes. And thanks for clearing up what they were saying, I get it now! I'm going to Sniper Tuning in about 4 weeks to buy the Commando software and they are going to help me out with my initial tune on their dyno, so I wanted to throw one last mod on the car before that, so I have the numbers on paper. Still no word on the coolant temp question though? I've never had cooling problems before, i just want to make sure I shouldnt expect any after I bolt on a FMIC.

Off topic- what increases your "Posts" number? All post in general, or just threads you have start, or what? No matter what i do, start a thread, post in a thread, nothing changes it. It has been 12 for about my last 10 posts!?

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

Thanks! I knew PI heads raised the comp. but I didnt know it was to the point where it was a bad idea for a FI car. Noted though. So I'll go for the porting then when the time comes. And thanks for clearing up what they were saying, I get it now! I'm going to Sniper Tuning in about 4 weeks to buy the Commando software and they are going to help me out with my initial tune on their dyno, so I wanted to throw one last mod on the car before that, so I have the numbers on paper. Still no word on the coolant temp question though? I've never had cooling problems before, i just want to make sure I shouldnt expect any after I bolt on a FMIC.

Off topic- what increases your "Posts" number? All post in general, or just threads you have start, or what? No matter what i do, start a thread, post in a thread, nothing changes it. It has been 12 for about my last 10 posts!?

You worried about the FMIC blocking the stock raditator and therefore making running temps high? This doesn't seem to be a problem for anyone running FI that I've seen - you should be running a 180 t-stat anyways so it should stay plenty cool.
As for the post count, only goes up in the tech section.

 

[Mikie]

So tell me how you are running a 10 lb charger without an intercooler?
Maybe I missed something in the paragraphs.

Get the cooler, and a custom tune afterwards.