How is CFM and horsepower ratings given to a intercooler core size?

Full-Race claims their 20"w 11"h 3"d core will support 720Hp.

Intercooler on ebay 24"w 11"h 3"d core will flow 500cfm and support 700 Max Hp. This one doesn't make sense to me at all because 500cfm is about 350Hp right, and its a bigger core than the full-race?

Mishimoto claims their 20.5"w 6.25"h 2.25"d core is tested @ 740cfm. How do they even cram 740cfm though that tiny little core, I can't imagine the pressure drop at that flow rate?

I don't understand how these rating are so far out of proportion with each other. Can someone clear this up for me so I can properly size an intercooler to my car and horsepower goal. Thanks, Chris

 

TTT so someone can explain this....

Blaze

 

Another thing I don't understand is why a 30"wide intercooler has a higher horsepower rating than a 20"wide. I would think the wider intercooler is more of a restriction causing a higher pressure drop.

Any thoughts?

 

.....

 

....stupid question, or no one knows?

 

no one knows, theres no bandwagon yet

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Honda-Pilot &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Another thing I don't understand is why a 30"wide intercooler has a higher horsepower rating than a 20"wide. I would think the wider intercooler is more of a restriction causing a higher pressure drop.

Any thoughts? </TD></TR></TABLE>

this one makes since b/c the wider the intercooler the more cooling surface it has.

as you increase boost and make more hp there will be more heat, thus it will need a larger cooling surface.

as far as cfm ratings go, your comparing different core designs. there are a number of different fin designs on the market each having its own strengths and weaknesses.

 

Thanks for the responses, I have been doing a lot of research on core designs. Corky Bell has good information in his book Maximum Boost. I'm still trying to make sense of things though.
The facts/theory(?) of core designs doesn't coinside with the advertised ratings for whats on the market.