So while im waiting for my h-sport lower control arms from WMW to come in I figured its time to upgrade my intercooler. Ive been looking at the grs top mount and the grs front mount setups. But theres 1 Ive been searching the forums and havent found anything on Airtec top mount intercooler. Just wondering if anyone had any experience with it and ppls thoughts thanks.

Airtec Link below

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Cooper-S-R53-Top-Mount-Intercooler-Upgrade-Cooper-S-Stealth-Black-Finish-/121161005479?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c35c239a7

 

The MINI GP intercooler has been considered the best option since its release in 2006. WMW can sell you one.

 

+1, either the GP or stick with stock, while some of the others cool just fine running down the road, the GP & OEM have the better recovery rates (GP is the best of the 2) this is where the real difference is and why the are considered to work so well.

Honestly, after using both the OEM & GP, unless you're using the car on the track or in a higher HP application or an warmer than normal climate, the OEM is just fine for our cars.

 

Yea the GP is the best choice ive been told. Just checking my options before spending the money. Thanks for the responses.

 

Like they said the GP works and fits the best.
http://waymotorworks.com/gp-intercooler-for-r53.html

 

Does anyone have experience with the M7 Direct Flow Intercooler? Looks like they rotated it 90 degrees.

If it matters, my Mini is still a daily driver, but is heading down the path of becoming a track dedicated car.

Cheers,

 

Track dedicated, Absolutely the GP, quickest recovery rate of them all, which is the most important feature for an I/C on the track.

Not sure, but if I remember correctly, recovery was an issue with the M7.

 

Thanks, BlwnAway. You just saved me a chuck of cash I can spend on other stuff now!!!

 

I have just been researching this same intercooler for about 2 hours now. These are made in the UK and would be somewhere around $700 to get imported unless someone sells them in the US already. Dyno results are always a nice thing to see and I came across some dyno charts against the stock, GRS, and Airtec intercoolers.

Seems pretty legit from what I have found so far. I don't think this has been around for that long to have that much information on it just yet. I could be wrong though.....

Here is a link to a nice post from another MINI forum about this intercooler.

 

Some aftermarket IC's perform worse than stock. Actually, many aftermarket IC's perform worse than stock. The GP intercooler is the way to go, but you really only need it if you're going to the track. Way sells a nice cover for it that is better than the stock cover, it gets more air to the last two fins.

 

Thank the gods you supercharger guys aren't as stupid as the buy chinese ebay intercooler turbocharger guys!!!

 

I did a bunch of testing and ran the M7 before the GP was available. I've also had both versions of the Alta, and GRS. I can tell you for sure the GP Intercooler is by far the winner and still using it today. The M7 I couldn't even get to the intake temps the stock IC had.

But if anyone still wants the M7 look on ebay, I've seen them for less than $200 brand new.

 

I'm running the Airtec on my R53 and personally think it's a brilliant bit of kit. Admittedly I'm also the chap behind Orranje who is selling them and promoting them in the UK, but the dyno testing we did goes a long way in proving how well it works and also how well it copes with recovery rates compared to the likes of the GRS, which in the UK was and has been for some years now the main the competition for the GP intercooler.
I'm not sure if the GP units have gone up in price in the US like they have in the UK, but a GP intercooler now costs £550 new from BMW, give or take, so the Airtec represents great value and great performance for the UK market.
They cost £80 in shipping from the UK to the US, so that bumps up the cost a bit, but if anyone's interested in one, drop me a PM and we can always see if there's a deal to be had

 

Not trying to start any ***** with anyone, but the "chinese ebay intercooler" are based on real models, and they usually have similar gains, but they are a little more sketchy because of the material, very hit and miss, but some actually are as good as the original they model it after

 

Maybe, maybe not. When you're modding a car, IMHO, it doesn't make sense to gamble. It's better to leave it stock than take the risk on something that's cheap--and hit or miss. Do it right the first time, and never worry about it again.

These boards are littered with people who tried cheap parts, and ended up paying way more to undo the damage than they would have in the first place had they spent a little more on something proven.

 

I'm not one to gamble, I went with an Alta I/C and I love it, but just an option if you are tight on cash but looking for a little boost in hp, or lower temps while driving, they are a viable option, but back to the shopping, definitely get a water/meth kit on your new I/C, I absolutely love mine