[s-cars] FMIC info digested...

[D Cosby]

Interesting discussion. Glad that my custom intercooler is already built and 
installed and the thinking is over. I don't want to throw myself in a debate 
that's over my head, but from the FAQ on Corky Bell's intercooler site:


http://www.bellintercoolers.com/pages/techFAQ.html#FAQ_8

Does one style core cool better than another?
No, almost no difference. With three decades of testing intercooler’s, we 
have found no appreciable difference between any core style or manufacturer. 
Keep in mind, that the merit of a core is it’s efficiency versus its 
internal drag characteristics. When sized for a tolerable flow loss, 
virtually all cores will produce essentially the same efficiency results. 
Perhaps a core with slightly less flow area per linear inch, or one with 
longer tubes, will need perhaps 5% more tubes to equal the best of 
intercooler’s with regard to flow loss and efficiency. Not a very important 
difference.

The only caveat he makes on bar and plate is it is more suited for highly 
rugged 250+psi sppkining applications.

The whole FAQ is an interesting read if you have 30 minutes of work time to 
kill.

So if I'm reading Corky right, it sounds like Corky is stating that the 
standard engineering rule of thumb applies - the errors on both sides of the 
equation cancel each other out - neither side is better or worse. So how you 
read what Corky says versus the various manufacturer stated efficiency 
ratings is anyone's guess but my money is on Corky.

Either way I run water injection on top of it all just to be safe. ...I seem 
to remember being flamed for that idea 5 or 6 years ago when I installed 
it... times have changed.

Dwayne