View Poll Results: Best Intercooler?
Voters: 73. You may not vote on this poll
Best Intercooler?
Thus the (correct?) in my post. I'm a grossly overpaid UNIX Admin for a living, not an engineer with a background in fluid dynamics. It just seems that most high dollar intercoolers out there, no matter what the platform, use a more centered approach to inlet/outlet. They usually utilize smoothly shaped or even cast end tanks too on the higher end intercoolers.
Not saying they're any better, just a pattern I've noticed over the years. I also realize we're not building F1 cars here either.
1badBlueberrySC brings up a good point though. In my DSM years it was really common for people to put literally 1000hp+ IC's on 14b/16g small frame turbo cars and slow them down. That Smax intercooler pictured is just out of hand and reminds me of when it seemed like a competition to put the largest IC you could on the SRT4's, power results be damned.
When I'm in the market for an IC I'll most likely opt for the Hahn or Synapse, just depending on who has the better deal at the time!
Not saying they're any better, just a pattern I've noticed over the years. I also realize we're not building F1 cars here either.
1badBlueberrySC brings up a good point though. In my DSM years it was really common for people to put literally 1000hp+ IC's on 14b/16g small frame turbo cars and slow them down. That Smax intercooler pictured is just out of hand and reminds me of when it seemed like a competition to put the largest IC you could on the SRT4's, power results be damned.
When I'm in the market for an IC I'll most likely opt for the Hahn or Synapse, just depending on who has the better deal at the time!
I went to school for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I work in the Healthcare field now. Lets just say I understand things at a molecular level really well 
So almost anything seems pretty basic to me.As for IC's if im looking to get one that Crazy Steves looks pretty good.
Senior Member
Joined: 09-23-08
Posts: 6,621
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From: Raleigh, NC
Steve's maybe the best bang for the buck... but it's a CXRacing TALL core... meaning the top half of the I/C is hidden and not getting proper airflow for cooling.
My Synapse is COMPLETELY in the lower grill and slightly below the bumper itself, allowing the most contact with the fins (along with Hahns)
I got a great deal on my Synapse but Hahn was in my sights as I needed an intercooler badly!
Synapse uses a 600hp Garrett core, hard to go wrong with that!
My Synapse is COMPLETELY in the lower grill and slightly below the bumper itself, allowing the most contact with the fins (along with Hahns)
I got a great deal on my Synapse but Hahn was in my sights as I needed an intercooler badly!
Synapse uses a 600hp Garrett core, hard to go wrong with that!
Senior Member
Joined: 06-03-07
Posts: 24,270
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Steve's maybe the best bang for the buck... but it's a CXRacing TALL core... meaning the top half of the I/C is hidden and not getting proper airflow for cooling.
My Synapse is COMPLETELY in the lower grill and slightly below the bumper itself, allowing the most contact with the fins (along with Hahns)
I got a great deal on my Synapse but Hahn was in my sights as I needed an intercooler badly!
Synapse uses a 600hp Garrett core, hard to go wrong with that!
My Synapse is COMPLETELY in the lower grill and slightly below the bumper itself, allowing the most contact with the fins (along with Hahns)
I got a great deal on my Synapse but Hahn was in my sights as I needed an intercooler badly!
Synapse uses a 600hp Garrett core, hard to go wrong with that!
yourz is broken it doesnt count :P
New Member
Joined: 03-02-06
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
Nothing but good with mine so far and we have only had one complaint ( kind of funny he had to make the other fit) yes it's a CX core 24/12/3 I have personally seen 800hp f-bodies dynoed at our shop with the same core
Senior Member
Joined: 07-25-08
Posts: 12,450
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Yeh thats my thinking as well. The only reason why I would buy it is because CrazySteve's and Hahns have bent entry's and exits. All the rest are squared. I wish someone would track down the core dimensions and HP rating for each IC. Maybe someone could through in some IAT2 stats too.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-25-08
Posts: 12,450
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 09-23-08
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 09-23-08
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
I know Term.... I know believe me I have throughly enjoyed this intercooler so far. Best investment in time and money I have done so far.
But I can hear the turbo scream a little more now due to its increased size. But pulls even harder than it did before...
And the temp drop I can't see being any better than any other intercooler... drops of ~20* is worth all the money in the world.
I'll hopefully get to strap on a bigger snail here shortly!
But I can hear the turbo scream a little more now due to its increased size. But pulls even harder than it did before...
And the temp drop I can't see being any better than any other intercooler... drops of ~20* is worth all the money in the world.
I'll hopefully get to strap on a bigger snail here shortly!
Senior Member
Joined: 07-25-08
Posts: 12,450
Likes: 6
From: Florida
I know Term.... I know believe me I have throughly enjoyed this intercooler so far. Best investment in time and money I have done so far.
But I can hear the turbo scream a little more now due to its increased size. But pulls even harder than it did before...
And the temp drop I can't see being any better than any other intercooler... drops of ~20* is worth all the money in the world.
I'll hopefully get to strap on a bigger snail here shortly!
But I can hear the turbo scream a little more now due to its increased size. But pulls even harder than it did before...
And the temp drop I can't see being any better than any other intercooler... drops of ~20* is worth all the money in the world.
I'll hopefully get to strap on a bigger snail here shortly!
Senior Member
Joined: 07-25-08
Posts: 12,450
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 03-05-09
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines, IA
In the end its still a big compressor wheel (well, maybe not big... but better) hooked to tiny hot side, and you guys know what problems comes along with that. Hopefully we get more control over the BCS to get around the surge.
Senior Member
Joined: 09-23-08
Posts: 6,621
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Well I am not sure which route I want to go.... on one hand I can get a nice 50trim and be done with it... or get the k04 and look stock when at a stealership...
Who knows.... I'll see what heppens!
Who knows.... I'll see what heppens!