SMIC Cleaning

gstjoker · 09-04-2006

I drive a 2g GST and I still have the stock smic. I've been reading up on vfaq on how to do this cleaning thing on the smic and I'm just wondering if any of you guys have done it, was there a better performance outcome or if it's even really worth it to clean up the smic. It'll be awhile until I can upgrade to a bigger aftermarket intercooler so I want to make the best of what I have right now.

turbotalon1g · 09-04-2006

I usually clean mine with paint thinner or lacquer thinner. It was nice knowing that there wasn't going into the intake of my car anymore. If you got nothing better to do and like your car, i say do it. But i don't know if its a performance enhancer.

**1ViciousGSX** · 09-04-2006

I wouldn't call in a performance enhancer, but a performance restorer.

Jakey · 09-04-2006

Back on one of the previous versions of these forums there was a good thread about intercooler cleaning. If I remember correctly, the general consensus among people was to use gasoline. Whatever you do, do not use muriatic acid as it will eat your intercooler.

**Kracka** · 09-04-2006

Gasoline works really well. Pour some in, shake it all around and tip it a few times to make sure it runs through everything, pour out; repeat until gasoline comes out clean.

gstjoker · 09-04-2006

Well, I'm in the process of getting some gasoline right now. I just got the damn smic out. Don't know why but maybe it's just me because it took me awhile to get it out. It doesn't look very dirty.

gstjoker · 09-04-2006

Here's some pictures that I took after I got it out if anyone cares.
Sorry if it's too big. I don't really know how to make it smaller.

FattyBoomBatty · 09-04-2006

I cleaned out an intercooler off of an npr truck once and a lot of junk came out. I used water becuase it was free, but using a cleaning agent will be good. Have fun!

tim · 09-05-2006

Looks good.

For future refernce there is a free program on the internet to edit pics. It is called paint.net It is free and can do a lot of the things that the expensive programs can do. Google it, it works well.

Elementality158 · 09-05-2006

Yes. Gas will work nice. A solvent will work also.

gstjoker · 09-05-2006

Well, I got the smic cleaning thing done this morning. For some reason it helped solve my boost leak problem maybe because some stuff were loose I guess? Maybe it's just all in my mind but my car seems to be running a little bit better now after cleaning out the smic, but as 1viciousgsx had said, it was probably just a performance restorer.

Elementality158 · 09-05-2006

You should check for boost leaks.

MaseWindu · 09-05-2006

I've used gas to clean mine, it works great. I also noticed a small pinhole around one of the pipes on mine. I covered it with the intercooler pipe and clamp and didn't have a problem. If you had a boost leak and now its gone, I would check inlet and outlet pipe just to make sure.

Gravy · 09-05-2006

I ran about 3 cups of gas through a SMIC today today to try and clean it and the last one finally came out clean-ish. Works well, gets any oil out of the intake. Thinking about cleaning out the FMIC on the car now, even if it's not a problem.

Elementality158 · 09-05-2006

I had a bunch of holes all over in the top pipe of my IC. Just slid the hose down and it fixed it.