FL5 Intercooler Reference Thread

[timestamped]

I agree with you on the charge pipes. Was it a part on the PRL charge pipes that you had this problem? (I just received PRL charge pipes last week so I’m curious)

The HKS is nice but I will say a lot of fins are getting destroyed by debris lol

On the hard pipe before the throttle body, it was the hole for mounting the sensor. First tried cleaning it up with a thread chaser but eventually had to drill it out, re-tap and insert one of those mini-springs, worked fine.

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[Nikw91]

On the hard pipe before the throttle body, it was the hole for mounting the sensor. First tried cleaning it up with a thread chaser but eventually had to drill it out, re-tap and insert one of those mini-springs, worked fine.

Thank you for the heads up!

 

[AspecR]

I agree with you on the charge pipes. Was it a part on the PRL charge pipes that you had this problem? (I just received PRL charge pipes last week so I’m curious)

The HKS is nice but I will say a lot of fins are getting destroyed by debris lol

This is why I tell people to run B&P intercoolers for the street, they tend to be more robust.

 

[Nikw91]

This is why I tell people to run B&P intercoolers for the street, they tend to be more robust.

I got the HKS right before the price increase and love it. No added lag and great results at the track. But if a used PWR popped up I might buy it to switch out because of the debris

 

[jtlctr]

I got the HKS right before the price increase and love it. No added lag and great results at the track. But if a used PWR popped up I might buy it to switch out because of the debris

Is the damage limited to just the fins, or are you seeing dings on the tubes as well?

 

[Nikw91]

Is the damage limited to just the fins, or are you seeing dings on the tubes as well?

Just little rocks getting stuck between the fins and some bent fins. Tubes are fine

 

[ctechauto]

We installed a few HKS intercoolers so far for customers in the DFW area and think the fins are a little on the thin side. Matches up to what yall are seeing on bent fins with road debris. Awesome intercooler otherwise though.

 

[B16B]

I like my PWR intercooler. It's on the pricey side, but it works so well. I also like how the ambient temperature sensor stays in the same spot without having the cut the tab and relocate it or swap out the oem air guides off the bumper. They said a couple weeks, but it was ready within 2 weeks.

 

[blueroadster]

This is why I tell people to run B&P intercoolers for the street, they tend to be more robust.

IMHO, this is where core design matters more. The J's Racing T&F intercooler is in a different league where the core uses a double layered front fin design and a unique triple layered front tube design.

I have had the J's Racing intercooler installed on my daily and street driven FL5 for a year now. Since then, there has been no damage whatsoever to any of the fins or tubes. Granted, it may cost a kidney as compared to other available options but the core itself is very efficient and rugged.

If I were in the market to buy an intercooler where cost did not matter, I would consider the J's Racing or HPT Micro-tube. The HPT Micro-tube appears to be the clear winner for various reasons but I would still like to know more about long-term durability.

 

[timestamped]

Just little rocks getting stuck between the fins and some bent fins. Tubes are fine

You can bend the fins back straight with a pointy little plastic pry tool

 

[HECTOFL5TYPER]

I just ordered a PRL T&F the fin damage I’m seeing is making me change my mind and possibly cancel the order. I really want to see what MDR brings to the table with the T&F any updates on the release date ?

 

[AspecR]

I just ordered a PRL T&F the fin damage I’m seeing is making me change my mind and possibly cancel the order. I really want to see what MDR brings to the table with the T&F any updates on the release date ?

Tentative release window is Spring 2026, hit up @SBX Performance for more details

 

[Unity Performance]

I got a couple guys to chime in on the FL5/DE5 Facebook Group about the RV6 Intercooler, and their experience with it long-term. Who else has feedback?

 

[Clark_Kent]

I like my PWR intercooler. It's on the pricey side, but it works so well. I also like how the ambient temperature sensor stays in the same spot without having the cut the tab and relocate it or swap out the oem air guides off the bumper. They said a couple weeks, but it was ready within 2 weeks.

I’ve been running the PWR intercooler for about 5 months and have been very happy with it so far. The construction and materials feel high quality, and fitment was straightforward with no modifications needed. Where it stands out most is consistency. The car handles repeated pulls noticeably better than stock. In the logs, I’m seeing a slower IAT rise through a pull and lower starting IATs on subsequent runs, which helps keep ignition timing more stable and prevents the timing collapse you typically see once the stock intercooler heat soaks. Boost control also looks more consistent from pull to pull, without the slight variability that can come with higher charge temps. It’s not a dramatic “seat of the pants” change, but the car is clearly more repeatable and composed under sustained load. The first pull hits just as hard as the 4th or 5th.

 

[SBX Performance]

Tentative release window is Spring 2026, hit up @SBX Performance for more details

They’re ready for shipment we’re just waiting on MDR for final release approval, which should be any day now. The setup will follow a very similar flow to their B&P system.

Given the current situation i would recommend making the switch. There’s no clear ETA on the RV6 intercoolers due to a manufacturing issue with their last batch. I want to be transparent with you RV6 makes solid products, but in terms of overall quality, performance and consistency, MDR is on another level as a premium brand. Thats facts.

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