[s-cars] 26x8x3.5 FMIC mock up

[James Murray (QB/EMC)]

For anyone interested in doing a FMIC without modifying the bumper, here's the space you have to work with... 

I wanted to see what the 26x8x3.5 Intercooler I saw on e-bay would look like so I made a cardboard mock-up, and sure enough it's just a tad too big, it could fit but I'd have to relocate the oil line in front of the A/C core and it would be right up against the A/C core (no air flow).

I measured the usuable space that you would have assuming you would not cut into the bumper: 

Smallest space on either side from A/C core to bumper is 3.5 inches but that assumes moving the oil line in front, otheriwise 3 inches is tops. In the middle of the bumper, because of the curve, you have 5 inches tops. 

>From the top (underneath) of the rebar (bumper core) to the bottom of the bumper cover you have at max 7 inches (assuming you don't put the Intercooler Core behind the bumper). 

>From the top of the bumper to the bottom of the bumper core you have 5 inches (so the core is about 5 inches thick) vertically. 

So a 25x8x2.7 Intercooler would work better than the mock up I made, but you would still have to have about 2 inches hidden behind the bumper core.. 

Ideally for optimal flow you would need a core that was 25x5x3 that way you could mount it underneath the rebar (not behind it) and gain maximal air flow. You would have more room for a thicker core actually... 
Here are some pictures: http://forums.audiworld.com/s4s6/msgs/35209.phtml
although I have to bear in mind the surface area of the original IC is 10.25x8.75 = 91.87 (I didn't measure how thick it was...) while if I was to go with 25x5=125 core I haven't gained all that much in cooling surface area, but of course I would gain considerably in cooling from better air flow... 
Cheers, /James "still undecided on FMIC" Murray...