is LOWER INTERCOOLER PIPING really a necessary upgrade in our cars???

Ralli_85 · Sep 4, 2009, 09:59 PM

i just bought the ultimate racing upper intercooler pipe kit and was wondering how much of a difference the lower intercooler pipe kit would make. anyone have both upper and lower and notice a difference from the lower?

silthos · Sep 4, 2009, 10:06 PM

I have both. Dont think there's a difference but got it anyway.

Ralli_85 · Sep 4, 2009, 10:10 PM

thats what i was thinking. upper is obviously important cuz it improves airflow between the turbo and intercooler. but lower just going from intercooler to throttle body doesnt seem like it would be as necessary.

Ladogaboy · Sep 4, 2009, 10:19 PM

If you are sticking with the stock I/C, it doesn't seem worth it to me to switch out the lower I/C piping. If you are upgrading the I/C, however, I would get a new lower pipe... just for fitment issues if nothing else.

lilEvoX · Sep 5, 2009, 02:38 PM

I was told the stock lower pipe has a bottle neck issue with it. I honestly haven't even looked at it myself on my car, but I have see a photo of one and there was a groove on it in the outside of the bend as it comes to the IC. Obviously that should affect airflow, replacing it would be worth while as long as it isn't expensive to do.

Tommy Di Cat · Sep 5, 2009, 03:23 PM

From what i've seen it looks pretty gnarly. Any smoothing or straightening of that pipng should increase spool. I'm installing an evo x intercooler and pipes when i get free time. I'll post pics for comparison.

RotorGlow · Sep 5, 2009, 11:30 PM

If the upper has a bottle neck and the lower doesnt, there will be negative effects.

If the lower has a bottle neck and the upper doesnt, there will be negative effects.

Its all part of the same system...

brads09lancerGT · Sep 6, 2009, 11:07 PM

From seeing that the LICP has plastic and that it has a bottleneck, I'm gonna replace the LICP when I order my IC & piping.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dD Spikey

I'd recommend using the Evo X's LICP if you are going to upgrade the IC.

The Ralliart's LICP is plastic and is smaller than the Evo X's LICP. The Ralliart piece also has a bottleneck close to the IC.

There's one more issue though, The Ralliart's LICP touches the Evo X IC's outlet. The two ends push up against each other. It makes fitment a little bit difficult. You can see what I mean in this picture. Once you put on a coupler, it might be a bit harder. It can be done, and it will work, but you'll have to wiggle the fitment and probably push the LICP out a bit.

GST Motorsports · Sep 7, 2009, 02:36 AM

I find it funny that the Ralliart went to a composite IC to TB pipe, as the Evo 6 had this as well..