but the GP has two more rows than the stock. What makes it (and the stocker) so good is that it has very low thermal mass, and some of the best air entry and exit geometry in the internal flow paths. Really, ICs shouldn't be anywhere close to the top of the mod list.....

Matt

 

Thats not what this thread is about. Again, use the search for "MINI Works" in quotes. Ask yourself too why the US site is all apparel now and has links to the French and Portuguese sites that are both full of MINI parts.

The GP looks to be "custom made" as I've looked at a few now. It appears the top two rows of the from a standard IC end tank are cut off and welded to the a standard one with a larger core being used.

 

No its not. I was simply asking to make sure the poster was posting his VIN and not someone elses that was unaware that his VIN was being used.

 

Ya know it raises a flag when multiple parts are sold under one VIN from multiple dealers or if the car is registered with MINI in Cali and the parts are ordered in NC. In the past the guy that approved GP parts release to the dealer looked at all this stuff.

 

Hey Gnaster,

Does this one have a racing pedigree? It almost looks like there's a dent at the bottom.

 

For some reason, I thought Valeo manufactured it.

Next time you have yours off take a look through the inlet...not only will you be able to see light through it(if it's clean), you will see how the ends of the tubes are shaped like this < to help the charge air flow through it. That small detail combined with the ideal fin density and the lightweight end tanks makes for an intercooler that can not only cool the charge air very efficiently, but can also recover very quickly from heat soak.

 

^^^ +1


^^^what's the diff to other bigger ICs like the alta etc?

 

The GP IC is made by Behr, just like the stock one. Dead identical except for the added two rows.

 

$800 for two added rows Doesn't sound worth it, more like a novelty.

 

Ahh...that's the name I couldn't remember. Thanks for posting.

 

I did a side by side comparison in cold weather and in warm.
In hot weather you can't notice the difference betwen the 2 ICs. In cold weather, it makes a BIG difference. If I hadn't been trying to stay OEM on everything but the tune and pulley, I would have opted for a cheaper aftermarket IC rather than getting the GP IC.

 

For me I did notice a difference on the track. With another aftermarket I/C i had the last half of a session I could almost never turn faster lap times then the 1st half. Looking the at data logs from the G2X my corner speeds were the same but speeds at the end of the straight were lower. SO while I could get through the corners fine I was losing power down when on full throttle down the straight. Swapping to the GP I/C I saw more consistent and even quicker lap times as the session progressed.

When checking I/C temps in the paddock afterward using the touch it with my hand and see how hot it was the GP was cooler to the touch meaning it recovers faster.

Why yes it does...thank you very much

Probably, but when you could more readily get them the price was much lower. Now if yuo can source one out of the UK it might be lower since the dollar is so much stronger vs the pound now.

 

It seems to me that the added 2 rows wont get much air flow due to the sharp bend the air has to make going in and out of the IC the large Alta seems like it would flow much better as the tubes are a bit bigger the fins are wider and the ends are smoother than the stock or GP units. I think (i may be wrong) that the stock has 11 rows the GP has 13 where as the Alta has 12 BUT the Alta unit has the inlet and outlet centered vs the offset for the GP unit? so wouldnt the air flow better and get cooled faster than the GP unit??

 

Thing is, when I belive Intense did his IC comparisons, the V1 Alta and the Forge, I belive did not perform as well as the GP did.

 

Ok, who's taking the lead in getting Behr to out source these?

 

He never tested the GP I/C but did test the OEM and it did better than some of the aftermarket ones. Especially when it came to recovery rates.

 

Can the Behr GP cooler be recreated?

 

Yea I wasn't sure, knew he tested one or the other, thanks.

 

I am currious how he tested them. I did a test with mine, stock vs Alta, and the Alta ran MUCH cooler than stock. my test was mid summer in north Atlanta ran some back roads for 65 miles the stock IC was almost hot enough to light a cigarette on let the car cool down for 3 hours swaped in the Alta drove the same rout got home and I could hold my hand on the IC! now this was not a track test this was normal "hard" driving and it was HOT out 98+ high humity. I am just currious what are other peoples test methods??

 

It doesn't have THAT dent at the bottom.

On an ancillary note, anyone know of a source for the GP intercooler rear supports?

 

I swear, NAM is like last weeks episode of LOST.... I think we're bouncing around through time here. Hey, I have an idea... why doesn't someone get some probes and data logging equipment and TEST the various intercoolers? That's such a fantastic idea I just had, I can't believe no one's ever done that...

 

Come on Paul, all facts do is muddy the waters of opinions. How can we have a subjective discussion if you keep dragging in facts.

 

Come on, that was 34 pages or so of pure golden entertainment. It would liven everything up around here.
The bottom line is nobody wants the truth, as they all swear by their butt dyno's and want their $800-$1000 justified.

 

there have been several quantitative tests of top mount A2A ICs... They all come down to the same thing.... The deltas aren't that large, and they are expensive parts. The threads and discussion of this stuff is massive.

When I tested, I looked at static pressure drop vs RPM, 30-60 times, and peak HP and temp deltas in 2nd gear. Intense did something somewhat different, and there are tons and tons of posts about other testing during cruise and the like.

Matt

PS, here is a list of SOME of the IC threads.... If you read them all, it will take about a month!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...l-coating.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...completed.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...sults-gtt.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...akes-away.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ts-on-ics.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tercooler.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-and-why.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ing-tests.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-on-track.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ercoolers.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-opinions.html

as you can see, this is one area that's been very extensively looked at....

-M-

 

You've been busy here lately, loose your day job. Just kidding, its good to hear a voice of reason once in a while.

Even for the IC's that give some difference over stock, they are still way down at the bottom of the mod list based on the $100/hp criteria. But hey, they sure look pretty along with those red coils and plug wires!