Intercooler( heat exchanger) options

[Brichinelo]

Are their any differences between intercoolers (heat exchangers) that members have noticed depending on which brand you guys went with. I know the intercoolers can definitely have a significant impact on front end braking and overall feel of the car. Anyone prefer a brand over the other in terms of weight and performance? Currently looking at bms intercooler but I see it’s a lot of different options.

 

[D.J.]

Are their any differences between intercoolers (heat exchangers) that members have noticed depending on which brand you guys went with. I know the intercoolers can definitely have a significant impact on front end braking and overall feel of the car. Anyone prefer a brand over the other in terms of weight and performance? Currently looking at bms intercooler but I see it’s a lot of different options.

What kind of race car are you building where weight of the intercooler is a concern?

 

[Brichinelo]

What kind of race car are you building where weight of the intercooler is a concern?

Not a race car just want the best bang for my buck in terms of quality, weight and performance . I’ve also saw other members on the forum who noticed the weight difference in terms of the front end of the car when braking when they went with one intercooler over the other.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

I am keeping my stock intercooler specifically because of the weight. Since i am not tuned, dont see any need to "upgrade"

 

[D.J.]

Do these intercoolers even list their weight on their respective spec pages?
Wouldn't the differences be a few hundred grams?

 

[D.J.]

I am keeping my stock intercooler specifically because of the weight. Since i am not tuned, dont see any need to "upgrade"

what's the weight difference stock vs any of the aftermarket options you have compared?

 

[Brichinelo]

I am keeping my stock intercooler specifically because of the weight. Since i am not tuned, dont see any need to "upgrade"

The more I dig into the threads of ppl talking about intercoolers and comparing , I’m starting to think stock might be my best option personally. I may look into the bms one more when summer rolls around.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

what's the weight difference stock vs any of the aftermarket options you have compared?

I haven't personally compared any. But remember someone on this forum did it. Came out with around 15lbs difference. Which is huge difference in my book. I am aiming for 4cylinder rwd weight in my v6 awd.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

The more I dig into the threads of ppl talking about intercoolers and comparing , I’m starting to think stock might be my best option personally. I may look into the bms one more when summer rolls around.

Like i sad, if you are not pushing more air through the system, what is the point of bigger intercooler? If anything it will increase the lag. But of course you honna have a lot of people with their butt dyno saying otherwise.

 

[Brichinelo]

Like i sad, if you are not pushing more air through the system, what is the point of bigger intercooler? If anything it will increase the lag. But of course you honna have a lot of people with their butt dyno saying otherwise.

For daily driving purposes I feel like the stock intercooler is enough. Tuning and putting down More power then you will need a aftermarket one. Worst case scenario can always grab the bms one when summer hits

 

[D.J.]

I haven't personally compared any. But remember someone on this forum did it. Came out with around 15lbs difference. Which is huge difference in my book. I am aiming for 4cylinder rwd weight in my v6 awd.

Fifteen pounds? Of difference?

Methinks their scale was set incorrectly.

 

[D.J.]

this guy says the difference (vs BMS) about 10 lbs.

not sure if he is using a calibrated human arm, or a scale for this comparison.

3.3TT - BMS Intercooler Review

Received my unit this week and installed it on the car on Wednesday. Fitment 9/10 - You will likely need to trim a small part of the inner plastic shroud around the radiator/intercooler. - The hole for the third bolt that goes through the middle of the front camera/sensor on the GTS/GT LTD did...

stingerforum.org

 

[Ohiocruiser]

Fifteen pounds? Of difference?

Methinks their scale was set incorrectly.

Who knows. But, by looking at how much bigger they usually are than stock one, and made out of aluminum that is probably thicker, i wouldn't be surprised if that was a correct number. Also stock intercooler has plastic ends instead of all aluminum constraction on aftermarket ones.

 

[D.J.]

If anything it will increase the lag. But of course you honna have a lot of people with their butt dyno saying otherwise.

this guy says - and I quote

In particular, the throttle response is much better than it is with the stock intercooler. Would recommend.

May be a "butt dyno" calibration factor

3.3TT - BMS Intercooler Review

Received my unit this week and installed it on the car on Wednesday. Fitment 9/10 - You will likely need to trim a small part of the inner plastic shroud around the radiator/intercooler. - The hole for the third bolt that goes through the middle of the front camera/sensor on the GTS/GT LTD did...

stingerforum.org

 

[Ohiocruiser]

this guy says the difference (vs BMS) about 10 lbs.

not sure if he is using a calibrated human arm, or a scale for this comparison.

3.3TT - BMS Intercooler Review

Received my unit this week and installed it on the car on Wednesday. Fitment 9/10 - You will likely need to trim a small part of the inner plastic shroud around the radiator/intercooler. - The hole for the third bolt that goes through the middle of the front camera/sensor on the GTS/GT LTD did...

stingerforum.org

I really cant remember which intercooler i was referring to. But if bms one is 10lbs heavier, tha one from wagner is probably the whole 20lbs heavier than stock.

 

[GennyGuy]

Not a race car just want the best bang for my buck in terms of quality, weight and performance . I’ve also saw other members on the forum who noticed the weight difference in terms of the front end of the car when braking when they went with one intercooler over the other.

If you're not doing any serious tuning or racing, then stick with the stock intercooler as it will be your best bang for buck. The Wagner IC is about 20lbs heavier I recall reading, but it's more designed for serious road courses. I heard a few people had lag issues, but every setup is different. BMS is probably going to be your cheapest upgrade. Mishimoto is going to be the most complete as it is an entire system.

Again, if you're not really racing, i just wouldn't bother because you won't get significant use out of the upgrade.

 

[Brichinelo]

If you're not doing any serious tuning or racing, then stick with the stock intercooler as it will be your best bang for buck. The Wagner IC is about 20lbs heavier I recall reading, but it's more designed for serious road courses. I heard a few people had lag issues, but every setup is different. BMS is probably going to be your cheapest upgrade. Mishimoto is going to be the most complete as it is an entire system.

Again, if you're not really racing, i just wouldn't bother because you won't get significant use out of the upgrade.

No serious racing over here . I just want a reliable smooth powerful daily vehicle with a slight bump in performance.

 

[rpoffen]

I put a BMS on a few weeks ago because last summer I could tell the difference when I went to Sacramento Raceway Park for the Wednesday drags. The afternoon heat really made a difference, up to 4/10 second between the heat of the day (95+) and the evening when the temps dropped. The JB4 logs showed the biggest difference was the IAT's.
I can't say how much improvement until the season opens up in the spring. For the price, it seems to be well built, install was easy, and fitment was great.

 

[Brichinelo]

Th

I put a BMS on a few weeks ago because last summer I could tell the difference when I went to Sacramento Raceway Park for the Wednesday drags. The afternoon heat really made a difference, up to 4/10 second between the heat of the day (95+) and the evening when the temps dropped. The JB4 logs showed the biggest difference was the IAT's.
I can't say how much improvement until the season opens up in the spring. For the price, it seems to be well built, install was easy, and fitment was great.

That would most likely be my first option for the price. Bms or IMR intercooler are right around the same price. Thanks.

 

[StingertimeNC]

if you are not planning on drag racing, you probably don't need it. It is quite a bit heavier although I didn't weigh them. definitely notice the IAT's get lower quicker, especially doing individual pulls from a stop to high speeds, but not sure I would notice on a road course, or just for normal spirited driving.