FMIC, Paint, and Nitrous Intercooler
Alright, I have a boosted turbo tC, but I love being sleeper. My previous turbo was a ZPI Stage 0 with no intercooler, and I loved the look on people's when they realized I was turbo'd after the fact
My new turbo setup has a FMIC, but it's really prominent. My car is pretty much all black, so aesthetically, I'm not digging it.


My question is, would painting the intercooler decrease its efficiency? I plan on running higher boost on pistons and rods later, and I know at that point, I'd really need the intercooler to work at its full potential. I hear anodized would be the way to go...
Also, I plan on getting a nitrous intercooler soon, and I'm concerned about the effect of CO2 on the painted FMIC.
I searched SL, but the thread that came up was from 05 and was hypothetical. With some many boosted tC's now, I assume a few people have already made this leap!
Any noticeable changes in performance?
My new turbo setup has a FMIC, but it's really prominent. My car is pretty much all black, so aesthetically, I'm not digging it.


My question is, would painting the intercooler decrease its efficiency? I plan on running higher boost on pistons and rods later, and I know at that point, I'd really need the intercooler to work at its full potential. I hear anodized would be the way to go...
Also, I plan on getting a nitrous intercooler soon, and I'm concerned about the effect of CO2 on the painted FMIC.
I searched SL, but the thread that came up was from 05 and was hypothetical. With some many boosted tC's now, I assume a few people have already made this leap!
Any noticeable changes in performance?
I painted mine for the same reason. And I just ordered black couplers off the intercooler and am painting the t-bolt clamps black tomorrow.
Radiator paint on the intercooler is the way to go. Get a couple extra cans because you will be touching it up.
When im done with everything ill take some pics
as for the look
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t=100_0161.jpg
Radiator paint on the intercooler is the way to go. Get a couple extra cans because you will be touching it up.
When im done with everything ill take some pics
as for the look
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v3...t=100_0161.jpg
Originally Posted by jasonrs2
that's not a sleeper... it's more of a "stealth" style tC. sleepers are cars that look stock but arent.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeper_%28car%29
The only thing modified on the exterior are the wheels, a drop, and tint. Everything else is factory.
i have to agree with the fact that ur car is not a sleeper...tinted tail, dropped, rims and here is a direct quote from ur wikipedia link...the first part as a matter of fact...
A sleeper (US English) or Q-car (British English) is a car that has high performance and an unassuming exterior. Sleeper cars are termed such because their exterior looks little or no different from a standard or economy-class car (or in some cases worse due to seeming neglect on the owners part), but internally they are modified (or are built) to perform at higher levels.
the exterior does not look anywhere near standard or stock...sorry but it's not a sleeper...especially with the michael knight light in the grill
A sleeper (US English) or Q-car (British English) is a car that has high performance and an unassuming exterior. Sleeper cars are termed such because their exterior looks little or no different from a standard or economy-class car (or in some cases worse due to seeming neglect on the owners part), but internally they are modified (or are built) to perform at higher levels.
the exterior does not look anywhere near standard or stock...sorry but it's not a sleeper...especially with the michael knight light in the grill
Originally Posted by BuddhasTC
i have to agree with the fact that ur car is not a sleeper...tinted tail, dropped, rims and here is a direct quote from ur wikipedia link...the first part as a matter of fact...
A sleeper (US English) or Q-car (British English) is a car that has high performance and an unassuming exterior. Sleeper cars are termed such because their exterior looks little or no different from a standard or economy-class car (or in some cases worse due to seeming neglect on the owners part), but internally they are modified (or are built) to perform at higher levels.
the exterior does not look anywhere near standard or stock...sorry but it's not a sleeper...especially with the michael knight light in the grill
A sleeper (US English) or Q-car (British English) is a car that has high performance and an unassuming exterior. Sleeper cars are termed such because their exterior looks little or no different from a standard or economy-class car (or in some cases worse due to seeming neglect on the owners part), but internally they are modified (or are built) to perform at higher levels.
the exterior does not look anywhere near standard or stock...sorry but it's not a sleeper...especially with the michael knight light in the grill
Wheels, drop, tint, modified grille and the scanner light are the only exterior mods that aren't factory. I can control the light, and it's never on when I drive, so that's a moot point since it's not visible behind the grille unless it's on.
Originally Posted by Wikipedia
Other vehicle owners create sleepers by swapping more powerful engines or other performance modifications like turbochargers, leaving the external appearance exactly the way it came from the factory. Sometimes hints of the car's true nature show if one looks and listens carefully: wider tires, a lower stance, or a different engine tone or exhaust note. Gauges and instrumentation are often kept to a minimum. Some owners go as far as to use weight reduction techniques employed by other performance enthusiasts, such as removing items not fundamental to street racing, such as rear seats, interior trim, spare tire, or even the heater.
OK, first of all, the tC looks dope, so I would not consider i a slepper unless it was not dropped and still on stock rims. Those 2 things make a HUGE differance.
but seriously, Todd's (turbo toyotas) does NOT come black standard, but he will anodize it for you. That would be the best option if you can get it done.
Done on the cheap and by yourself, radiator paint is the way to go.
DO NOT POWDERCOAT IT! it romoves a great deal of the intercoolers efficiancey as it ABSORBS heat instaed of dissipating it. Only thing I've heard of any companies powercoating are the charge pipes, not the actual intercooler.
but seriously, Todd's (turbo toyotas) does NOT come black standard, but he will anodize it for you. That would be the best option if you can get it done.
Done on the cheap and by yourself, radiator paint is the way to go.
DO NOT POWDERCOAT IT! it romoves a great deal of the intercoolers efficiancey as it ABSORBS heat instaed of dissipating it. Only thing I've heard of any companies powercoating are the charge pipes, not the actual intercooler.






