5s top mount IC?, reasonable? Options

[crankyelbow]

I've been pondering the turbo route, and I'm amazed how readily available and cheap the ct26 turbo is - along with the proper manifold and other bits.

One big way to cut the costs, and something I always wanted to try in my turbo yaris, would be a top mount intercooler. The response should be amazing with the minimal piping that would be used in such a setup.

Given the layout of the motor, it would seem to be EXTREMELY easy to route piping, mount the IC... in fact it seems the 3sgte uses a top mount IC stock (as did the turbo yaris in stock trim overseas)... BUT...

What would be the approx boost limits given this setup? Clearly the air wont be cooled anywhere near as effeciantly as with a FMIC, but given a hood scoop/heat shield, what are the approx limits? Has this been done on a 5s before?

[crankyelbow]

With a scoop it would seem a good idea though? Particularly in the case of someone that doesn't want to run alot of boost.

Routing a FMIC is significantly more piping and cost than a top mount.

Perhaps I'll just have to blaze the trail?

[presure2]

With a scoop it would seem a good idea though? Particularly in the case of someone that doesn't want to run alot of boost.

Routing a FMIC is significantly more piping and cost than a top mount.

Perhaps I'll just have to blaze the trail?

no.
they dont call them "interwarmers" for nothing.
guys back in the day used the alltrac top mount, and the supra side mount ic's as generic front mounts, which see LOTS more air than a generic scoop will direct over them, and even then they sucked.
like jeff said, stick with a FMIC or a w2a setup.

[crankyelbow]

With a scoop it would seem a good idea though? Particularly in the case of someone that doesn't want to run alot of boost.

Routing a FMIC is significantly more piping and cost than a top mount.

Perhaps I'll just have to blaze the trail?

no.
they dont call them "interwarmers" for nothing.
guys back in the day used the alltrac top mount, and the supra side mount ic's as generic front mounts, which see LOTS more air than a generic scoop will direct over them, and even then they sucked.
like jeff said, stick with a FMIC or a w2a setup.

Defined "sucked"?

I can definitely see a benefit coming out of the large reduction in piping length, feet less of charge piping HAS to significantly increase responsiveness... and without high boost levels I just don't understand why a FMIC would be deemed necessary?

Alot of stock turbo cars run a top mount, there must be a reason for this.

A good debate on a subaru forum:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/archive/in...hp/t-39927.html

Really, on paper, what is the benefit to running a FMIC if the boost levels won't exceed 10psi on a 5sfe? Are we talking any REAL gains? It seems to me that if a top mount *works*... as in... it suffeciantly cools the air for safe operation... it would be a BETTER choice in all aspects.

Thats to say, if there were a top mount setup that made 200whp... and a front mount setup that made 200whp... the top mount would be faster in most situations. Worst case for top mount is along period of idling... but as long as there is a scoop of some sort the increase in response and less pressure drop from turbo to intake SHOULD make the top mount car a little quicker, kinda like comparing a turbo car to a n/a car... n/a with the same torque curve would be faster because the power is available immediately.... add extra cooling to a top mount in whatever form you choose and IMO thats best case scenario up to XX psi.