So I'm doing a stock h22 with head studs and head gasket turbo build. I'm looking to get 350 to maybe 400 hp (maybe), but my question is should I get a 28x8x3.5" intercooler (rated at 400-500hp) or a 28x7x2.5" (rated at 300-400hp)? Now obviously the second one is for my power range but I don't wanna push the intercooler but idk that's why I'm asking, thanks.

 

their cores suck... the pressure drop is huge (measured at up to 9psi..) don't trust what their description says

 

Alright well I'm just looking for a cheaper intercooler, any recommendations that will work well for this set up, or should I bite it and get a treadstone tr8 for 280$

 

What sort of pressure levels are you looking at running? I only mentioned the cxracing issue because at high pressure levels the pressure drop is insane with their cores... sometimes it hit and miss though, one will be ok, then one will be ****.

treadstone makes nice things, I don't know who's cores they use or if the make their own.

Maybe try to find a used Garrett core intercooler, or PWR, Bell, Greddy, etc. I know there were a few for sale in the marketplace.

sometimes a random PWR core will pop up on eBay dirt cheap. that's how I buy my PWR units. I have 2 right now and I love them. I also have a pimp PWR NASCAR sprint car radiator that matches lol. eventually I'll go up to a Bell core when I go high up.

I would take a look at Bell Intercoolers, their quality is unbeatable and the prices they have on their cores are super affordable. you should take a look.

 

Only about 8 or 9 psi, thanks for all the info also do U know if the mishmoto z line is any good? Or if it would be good for these power goals?

 

Anyone know about the mishimoto z line?

 

Don't know much about the mishimoto but, seem fare for a simple setup on a budget. I have run both the treadstone 8x24x3 (can't recall if that was the exact size) and a cx racing 12x24x2.5 and i can tell you the cx racing suck ***** on normal driving when the engine is at temperature it fine but once i wot two or three time my water temperature would shoot up and slowly drop back down while i decelerate even though i have a decent amount of heat management in the bay compartment with a vented hood, i later found out that the core and fin itself is of a poor design and it very restrictive that doesn't let enough air flow through to let the radiator do it job even though it thinner and their was good spacing between the intercooler and radiator. On the good side of it, if it only for drag racing it work for a cheap intercooler can't complain about the price, i first bought mine around 06-07 when they started out at100 brand new (i was young and the picture of the green civic hatchback got me lolz). The treadstone I have no complaint it works for me and I have never had an issue with it, if I was to rated it, I would put it just a tad higher than the mishimoto just from odservation.

You should read from the let's talk intercooler tread! Some really nice info in their to help you choose the right intercooler, I myself will be running an ets race core from that source.

 

^^ This is what he's referring to..

Specifically, look at page 4 as Leebro61 obtained some data referring specifically to CX Racing intercoolers