based on this thread where would the GP IC fall?

from the looks of it to me. it not worth the money and hassle to get another IC except for the forge but sense the GP and forge are around the same in price. whats better and how much more performance does it really give you.

 

funny, ive been doing this research recently too!

from what i can find, the GP is about as good as it gets, unless you get that one (forget who makes it) that is made out of Copper and costs about $1400.

ive also read, the forge ones are almost too thick? and ppl have issues just closing the hood without it denting. also, if it is too thick, that doesnt leave much room for air to fit into the scoop.

personally, id go for the GP. seems easier to find, and they always resell for what you paid for them. saw one on ebay go for 450 used!

i want to build one myself. i have an idea if anyones interested in hearing it...

 

A good flowing IC (such as the GP IC) doesn't necessarily "make extra HP"... but it does allow cooler IAT which allows your engine to perform better, providing more consistent power (with less "dipping") at higher RPMs (especially during the hotter summer months).

 

well yes i knew that a good flowing IC well help keep IAT down and maintain your peak performance, but colder IAT also give more power. i guess what im asking is is it really worth it to get one of these intercoolers? and is GP better than forge or vise-verse or is stock pretty much the best option.

i mean i am eventually gonna get a 17% and thats gonna cause a heck of a lot more heat.

i am in the middle of making a DIY spray bar for the IC and that will help with heat but i would have to fill the reservoir up all the time.

 

^that. Intercoolers never add lost power, they just help cover losses.
Do you have a pulley on your car first. If you don't have a pulley the stock one actually works really well.
I would focus on other areas before the intercooler. Its one of the most bought but un needed parts.

 

As far as choosing between the listed I/C's, IMO the GP is the best choice, the cooling properties are as good or better than the others but the recovery rate is faster than all of them.

That being said, I have to +1 on what colin said, the only real "need" for a better I/C is on the track, where you're on the power constantly. On the street the actual benefits of the extra cooling a good I/C will give you are really not noticed as much, simply because you're talking about short, quick, bursts of power, basiclly your not on the power long enough for it to make a "real" difference in what is basiclly "help in saving the life of your motor". The only place I "really" notice the difference is how fast the IAT comes back down to normal after idling or slow going in traffic for any length of time, not near as much on my WOT pulls.

If you really want to keep temps down & help to save your motor, you'd be better off taking the money & put it toward a "good" W/M kit, at least that will make a "real" not "marginal" difference in your IAT's. A good I/C on the street will probably reduce IAT's by 10-15* under what the ambient dictates, a good W/M kit will bring temps down 40* or so and keep them basiclly at that point no matter what the ambient.

And as far as 15% to 17%, again the track-v-street scenerio applies, on the track, noticable heat gains, on the street, not so much, unless you're on the power a lot.

 

Been running stock IC with a 17% for a few years now and have not had a lot of problems. Unless you are running WOT all the time, there is really not much to gain. The stock IC also recovers quickly as well. The only two upgrades I might consider are the GP or the GRS (that test was done on an older model and the new one performs much better). That being said, I really have no need for a bigger IC at this time.