Jump to content
SAU Community

tube and fin vs bar and plate  

54 members have voted

You do not have permission to vote in this poll, or see the poll results. Please sign in or register to vote in this poll.

Recommended Posts

ok guys i need your advice. i want to fit a fmic to both mine and my sons r33 gtst skylines here is the problem i am faced with. what do i buy do i get a bar and plate or a tube and fin intercooler is there any advantages or disadvantages with either cooler im so confused the more i search the more confused i become my head is starting to hurt :rofl: also outlet size is 3 inch the way to go or 2.5 inch both cars only have exaust 3 inch cat back. pod filter. what type of performance gain can i expect going fmic over the stock one?

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/101690-tube-and-fin-vs-bar-and-plate/
Share on other sites

there are also many different types of bar and plate / tube and fin. The way the tanks are made and set up make a massive diffrence on how the air will flow through the core. (wish i could find the site i got this from) The 2 main types are not better or worse then each other both are used for differant applictions. Just make sure you get one that is a known brand not the chinese nock offs, even though some of them are actualy good.

What you want to look at it the point at which the tanks and pipes will flow through the core, eg if both tanks and pipes are in the same entry/discharge point you are not utilizing the hole core, the pipes need to be at different points or have some sort of displacement to spread the flow but not impede it. Hope this is some help

All of that was from a full report on intercoolers

Ok the general rule is that bar and plate cool better but are more restrictive. Tube and fin flow better but don't cool quite as well.

Most people put the tube and fin on their skylines because they don't need any extra restrictions, especially with a stock turbo like you obviously have.

I have a tube and fin. Enough said. :P:D:D

Tube and fin was also supposed to have better flow-through to your radiator. I'm sure i read that somewhere.

And yes, what ^he said - better flow through the intercooler core, but less cooling ability compared to bar & plate.

I did a lot of reading on this a while back.

And i also got tube & fin :P

make sure you get one with a good designed end tanks. Its all about the flow through the tank as mentioned. See the std GTR intercoolers for the design im talking about.

i hate the cores that have the inlet / outlet down the bottom.

If you only want up to 300rwkw the GTR ones are more than capable, and are tube and fin = good flowing of air through to radiator still.

Ive got a hybrid of bar and plate / tube and fin. Just thought id add that to confuse you even more. :P

In terms of performance on the street I don't think there is any real difference between bar & plate VS tube & fin. Just make sure you get a decent brand. I'm another one with a tube & fin 'cooler.

"When I grow up, I'm going to Bovine University!"

looks like people are heading more towards the tube and fin design intercoolers.

As said above though its good to have the better designed end tanks thats where im not sure which way to go as the bar & plate cooler im looking at has the better designed end tanks and the tube & fin cooler i am also looking at has the normal end tanks. Seems most people are still going for the tube and fin design with the normal style end tanks is this correct?

cheers allan

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • A few small updates since the previous post and lessons. I decided to do a little interior light upgrade on the 110. I quite like the iilumo items, even if they're a bit of a premium over other brands. You'll also note the Stedi Fogs, that will go into the S15 fog lights as I needed to match the bulbs since I got the new ones earlier. I hope they fit as the body is quite a bit longer than your normal bulb.  Annoyingly, I managed to trip the fuse, which normally wouldn't be an issue until I located the fuse. I can't say I've ever come across this. I had lucked out that someone nearby had a spare, but oddly enough Toyota dealerships seem to keep this in stock. I ordered some to keep in my stash and as luck would have it, someone else nearby tripped the same fuse so I passed on the favour.  I also did a little service on the 110 ahead of some additional work coming up. It's been annoying that Goleby's stopped carrying this particular HKS filter for the 110, so now I need to keep them on order from Japan. I also took the opportunity to install a bash plate and number plate riser. The plate riser is such a cheap but nice fix to help really tidy up the car. I'm tempted to now also replace my headlights, on this car. Both items were from Project Aero.    I also needed to replace the rear tyres on the 110, and after trying to get it aligned learnt that I need to replace some bushes in the front end, so that's next.  Closing out this update with a nicer picture as always! 
    • Yeah mate, never miss it.
    • Any going to watch World Time Attack at SMSP this year?
    • Appreciate the correction on the "ground", that will make a huge difference to looking at this. That makes complete sense about AF70/AF71 which is what I had come down to being the issue, one of these. I'll have another look in the ignition wiring when I get a chance next week. I'll also make up a jumper wire for running that AF73 test.  ECU is fine, relay itself is fine, pump harness is fine and the pump itself is fine. I am going to upgrade the Walbro 255 anyway with a DW300 I have since I need to replace the fuel sender and I'm going to upgrade the FPR with my chasebays kit ready for new plenum/injectors/dbw, but I'll get this working first. That's why this is so frustrating. 
×
×
  • Create New...