FL5 Intercooler Reference Thread

[Nikw91]

Seems like so many options atm. Hard to finalize which to get. Any advice for car thats dual duty dd/5-10 track days a year, car will be stock turbo always just tune, intake, exhaust.
Ideally goal is best intake airtemps
least pressure drop
Least lag.
Weight or looks doesnt matter.

5-10 track days a year is a decent amount. Depending on your budget, I would only go HKS ($1,040), PWR ($1,750), WOT ($2,000) or J’s Racing ($2,555) since your stock turbo and tracking.

The tube and fins do take a beating with rocks and debris during daily driving.

I had the PRL bar and plate but it added noticeable turbo lag and overheating at the track.

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[siwelnosaj]

5-10 track days a year is a decent amount. Depending on your budget, I would only go HKS ($1,040), PWR ($1,750), WOT ($2,000) or J’s Racing ($2,555) since your stock turbo and tracking.

The tube and fins do take a beating with rocks and debris during daily driving.

I had the PRL bar and plate but it added noticeable turbo lag and overheating at the track.

That's also one of the benefits with the Microtube design, no fins to get damaged.

 

[Nikw91]

That's also one of the benefits with the Microtube design, no fins to get damaged.

I threw that comment in there just for you and you jumped on it quick

 

[petrik]

Thanks for feedback guys, watched both your vids. Love the details you guys pursue - im same mindset. How are those 3 intercoolers different in turbo lag on stock turbo? People I saw measure core volume but thats not always accurate since a large part of that is vented space. Any data or even anecdotal answers?

 

[siwelnosaj]

Thanks for feedback guys, watched both your vids. Love the details you guys pursue - im same mindset. How are those 3 intercoolers different in turbo lag on stock turbo? People I saw measure core volume but thats not always accurate since a large part of that is vented space. Any data or even anecdotal answers?

I looked at the logs to try and estimate pressure loss. I compared airflow at matched RPM, manifold pressure, throttle position, and intake-air temperature. Pressure drop was estimated using Hondata’s airflow-based intercooler model, where pressure loss is approximated to increase with the square of mass airflow (ΔP ∝ ṁ²). At roughly 300–320 g/s, both intercoolers calculated to approximately 2.5–2.7 psi of modeled pressure loss, with the difference between them effectively negligible.

The Microtube design maintains the same pressure loss, slightly better IATs, while offering significantly more airflow to the radiator, providing lower coolant and oil temps.

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