J's Racing Hyper Intercooler

[blueroadster]

Here is a short video that compares the HKS and J's Racing (jointly developed with DRL) T&F intercoolers for the FL5:



Core Design Details

Installation Instructions

Weighs 5,895 grams (just a hair under 13 lbs.):

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[Brittania]

Been waiting for this! I've always been a "Buy once, cry once" kind of guy and I'm definitely leaning towards this one. Hope install goes smooth and it works great for you.

 

[blueroadster]

Been waiting for this! I've always been a "Buy once, cry once" kind of guy and I'm definitely leaning towards this one. Hope install goes smooth and it works great for you.

Install should be a piece of cake and I hope to get it done this weekend. I settled on the J's Racing intercooler after reading the forum and researching elsewhere. I prefer T&F vice B&P. Here is what I have been tracking for FL5 intercoolers in order of weight (low to high):

• OEM:
  • Type: T&F
  • Fins: 11
  • Tubes: 10
  • End Tanks: Resin
  • Stock IC Elbows: Retained
  • Core Size: 639 x 158 x 64 (25.16"W x 6.22"H x 2.52"D)
  • Volume: 393.6 cubic inches (6.45L)
  • Surface Area: 100,962 mm squared (156.50" squared)
  • Modifications: None
  • Weight: 6.9 lbs.
• PWR:
  • Type: Hybrid B&P
  • Fins: 13
  • Tubes: 12
  • End Tanks: Machined billet aluminum
  • Stock IC Elbows: Retained
  • Core Size: ??? x ??? x 87
  • Volume = ???
  • Surface Area: ???
  • Modifications: None
  • Weight: ~11 lbs.
• J's Racing:
  • Type: T&F
  • Fins: 11
  • Tubes: 10
  • End Tanks: Sheet metal
  • Stock IC Elbows: Retained
  • Core Size: 700 x 172 x 100 (27.56"W x 6.77"H x 3.94"D)
  • Volume: 735.36 cubic inches (12.05L)
  • Surface Area: 120,400 mm squared (186.58" squared)
  • Modifications: Minor trim to move air temp sensor higher on the bracket
  • Weight: 13 lbs.
• HKS:
  • Type: T&F
  • Fins: 10
  • Tubes: 9
  • End Tanks: Cast aluminum
  • Stock IC Elbows: Retained
  • Core Size: 695 x 178 x 100 (27.36"W x 7.01"H x 3.94"D)
  • Volume: 755.88 cubic inches (12.39L)
  • Surface Area: 123,710 mm squared (191.79" squared)
  • Modifications: Minor trim to move air temp sensor higher on the bracket
  • Weight: 15.65 lbs.
• RV6 (yet to be released):
  • Type: Square extrusion T&F
  • Fins: 15
  • Tubes: 14
  • End Tanks: Cast aluminum
  • Stock IC Elbows: ???
  • Core Size: 695.3 x 177.8 x 101.6 (27.37"W x 7.00"H x 4.00"D)
  • Volume: 766.88 cubic inches (12.56L)
  • Surface Area: 123,624 mm squared (191.59" squared)
  • Modifications: ???
  • Weight: 16.4 lbs.
• Wagner:
  • Type: T&F
  • Fins: 25
  • Tubes: 24
  • End Tanks: Cast aluminum
  • Stock IC Elbows: Replaced with silicone elbows
  • Core Size: 580 x 400 x 70 (22.83"W x 15.75"H x 2.76"D)
  • Volume: 991.86 cubic inches (16.25L)
  • Surface Area: 232,000 mm squared (359.57" squared)
  • Modifications: None
  • Weight: 21 lbs.
• PRL:
  • Type: B&P
  • Fins: 9
  • Tubes: 8
  • End Tanks: Machined billet aluminum (uses factory elbows)
  • Stock IC Elbows: Retained
  • Core Size: 720 x 184 x 109 (28.35"W x 7.24"H x 4.29"D)
  • Volume: 880 cubic inches (14.42L)
  • Surface Area: 132,480 mm squared (205.25" squared)
  • Modifications: Minor trim to move air temp sensor higher on the stock bracket
  • Weight: 22.6 lbs.
• Airtec:
  • Type: B&P
  • Fins: 11
  • Tubes: 10
  • End Tanks: Cast aluminum (uses silicone elbows)
  • Stock IC Elbows: Replaced with silicone elbows
  • Core Size: 700 x 190 x 130 (27.56"W x 7.48"H x 5.12"D)
  • Volume: 1,055.10 cubic inches (17.29L)
  • Surface Area: 133,000 mm squared (206.15" squared)
  • Modifications: ???
  • Weight: 23 lbs.
• MDR:
  • Type: B&P
  • Fins: 9
  • Tubes: 8
  • End Tanks: Machined billet aluminum
  • Stock IC Elbows: Retained
  • Core Size: 711.2 x 178.31 x 139.7 (28.00"W x 7.02"H x 5.50"D)
  • Volume: 1,081.09 cubic inches (17.72L)
  • Surface Area: 126,814 mm squared (195.56" squared)
  • Modifications: Removal of air temp sensor bracket and relocation of the sensor to a bracket on the top side of the intercooler
  • Weight: 29.5 lbs.
• Spoon (yet to be released but likely inflated price for the label): ???

I narrowed my selection down to PWR, J's Racing and HKS that are all on the higher price end. I decided on J's Racing because it is T&F and IMHO has an optimal core design where details are provided rather than just marketing buzz words. Intercooler pressure drop and efficiency are other considerations but that information unfortunately is hard to locate.

 

[blueroadster]

The intercooler includes new O-rings where the tabs need to be removed prior to installing per the instructions. Most instructions when dealing with O-rings do not detail what else should be done with them before installing to prevent binding, twisting, or drying out and sticking over time. Easy fix is to use dielectric grease on them. Never use Vasoline on rubber as it absorbs causing expansion and distortion post installation. Here is a PIC of the new O-rings with tabs removed:

Dielectric grease added to them and ready to go:

 

[hoping2Get1]

Be curious if the HKS ic pipes would fit this. Regardless, nice ic!

 

[NoviceFL5owner]

Install should be a piece of cake and I hope to get it done this weekend. I settled on the J's Racing intercooler after reading the forum and researching elsewhere. I prefer T&F vice B&P. Here is what I was tracking for intercoolers:

• OEM: B&P, 7 lbs.
• PWR: B&P (US) and T&F (Australia), ~11 lbs.
• J's Racing: T&F, 13 lbs.
• HKS: T&F, 15.65 lbs.
• RV6: T&F, ~16.5 lbs. (yet to be released)
• Wagner: B&P, 21 lbs.
• Airtec: B&P, 23 lbs.
• PRL: B&P, ~25 lbs.
• MDR: B&P, 29.5 lbs.
• Spoon: ??? (yet to be released but likely inflated price for the label)

I narrowed my selection down to PWR, J's Racing and HKS that are all on the higher price end. I decided on J's Racing because it is T&F and IMHO has an optimal core design where details are provided rather than just marketing buzz words. Intercooler pressure drop and efficiency are other considerations but that information unfortunately is hard to locate.

Wagner is T&F. Pretty sure stock is too.

 

[blueroadster]

Be curious if the HKS ic pipes would fit this. Regardless, nice ic!

Thanks and yes, the HKS intercooler piping kit includes replacement cast aluminum in and out pipe elbow connections where the intercooler connects. As such, the kit should work with any intercooler that mates to the stock in and out pipe elbow connections.

I like how the HKS intercooler piping kit also replaces the stock rubber intercooler hoses with mandrel bent aluminum tubing. I only wish that it also included tubing to replace the stock cast aluminum throttle body inlet pipe (a.k.a., upper charge pipe).

HPS is another alternative intercooler piping kit to consider. It does not include replacement cast aluminum in and out pipe connections like the HKS but does provide an additional tube to replace the stock cast aluminum throttle body inlet pipe. HPS is also lighter on the wallet. I want to order that kit but could not find a vendor that had them in stock (apparently they are on backorder until the June/July timeframe).

 

[blueroadster]

Wagner is T&F. Pretty sure stock is too.

Thanks for pointing that out...I corrected my previous post (#3).

 

[Zpeedster M]

Ordered mine from HPS during Holidays

Thanks and yes, the HKS intercooler piping kit includes replacement cast aluminum in and out pipe elbow connections where the intercooler connects. As such, the kit should work with any intercooler that mates to the stock in and out pipe elbow connections.

I like how the HKS intercooler piping kit also replaces the stock rubber intercooler hoses with mandrel bent aluminum tubing. I only wish that it also included tubing to replace the stock cast aluminum throttle body inlet pipe (a.k.a., upper charge pipe).

HPS is another alternative intercooler piping kit to consider. It does not include replacement cast aluminum in and out pipe connections like the HKS but does provide an additional tube to replace the stock cast aluminum throttle body inlet pipe. HPS is also lighter on the wallet. I want to order that kit but could not find a vendor that had them in stock (apparently they are on backorder until the June/July timeframe).

 

[blueroadster]

Edited post #3...Stock intercooler weighs 3,131 grams or 6.9 lbs.:

From the outside, it looks like a B&P. Inside it looks like T&F so T&F it is I guess:

 

[blueroadster]

Backside views of the HKS intercooler on the left and J's Racing intercooler on the right. Note the differences in the end tanks around the Frankenstein rubber bushing connection points.

 

[blueroadster]

So the stupidly simple one page installation for the J's Racing intercooler was 100% accurate. As described, the only trimming necessary is to modify and move the air temperature sensor higher up on the existing stock tab. Here is a PIC of where ribs were cut off of the stock tab and a hole drilled higher for relocating the connection point itself:

Bottom section removed:

PIC of the sensor after intercooler installation:

PIC with the front bumper on:

 

[blueroadster]

Remove the plastic side duct plates from the rear of the bumper:

Transfer the two rubber bushings from the bottom of the stock intercooler to the J's Racing intercooler and install the new O-rings from Post #4. At that point, position the intercooler ensuring that the two bottom rubber bushings are fully seated. Then reinstall the two stock top brackets that include rubber bushings. At that point, there are only six bolts to tighten to compete installation (the two top bracket bolts and four bolts to connect the end tanks). Torque specifications for the two top bracket bolts are 9.4 N⋅m and the other four bolts are 22 N⋅m (sourced from the HKS intercooler installation instructions).

Left side:

Right side:

Install complete:

 

[blueroadster]

Before reinstalling the front bumper, it is also a perfect time to replace the stock horns. I upgraded to the dual Euro Horns (Honda Part # 08P80-T60-000). Install PICs and notes were shared in this post.

 

[jtlctr]

Thanks for the writeup! Are you seeing any significant difference in IAT's?

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