I'm sure there's a thread about this somewhere, I just couldn't find it.

Before I head out to Renntech for my tune, I want to buy a front mount intercooler.

What do you guys recommend?

Thanks!

 

Lots of threads on this. Check out Helix, Forge, Tyrolsport, and Alta.

 

I think Renntech recommends Forge when I inquired with them.

 

I have the a Helix so I can speak for that one, I highly recommend it. Almost too nice a piece to be hidden behind the front grill.

No cutting or modifications needed to get it to fit.

 

There's a group buy ramping up for spring on these guys too. At the price that's being discussed, I'm considering getting one myself.

--Matt

 

I was leaning towards the Helix, I may have to get in on that group buy. Do any of you know which ones have had the best results?

The Alta one looks really nice, but I've been told otherwise.

 

Alta is supposedly heavy but I don't know by experience. The alta guys can explain. I was go an get the stealth I/C from them.

Around here most people got the Helix and Forge. They do the job very good. Check some threads out if your still searching. I know the Tyrolsport one is a bit expensive but very good too.

I went with the Helix since the group but is what attracted me. Good luck.

 

Yeah, That's what I've been told.

Then again, maybe some extra weight over the front wheels might not be such a bad thing.

 

I got in on one of their earlier group buys. The quality is there and at the group buy price it's difficult not to get the Helix IC.

So far mine has been flawless. Had it over a year already.

The more that sign up on their group buy the cheaper the price so if you guys are on the fence I'd consider the group buy thing.

 

Go with the Helix, we already have the $599 shipped price locked in, and if we can hit 30 people it drops to $579 shipped. The GB pricing alone makes the Helix the best choice between the big 3. All they are doing is keeping your IAT's closer to ambient temp at higher rpms, and they all do a good job. Shop by best price in this case.

I lol'd @ the extra weight over the front wheels comment... :-D

 

I've got the Forge on sale and it's what I use on my car as it bolts in place and works great. It's also the lightest out of all of them.

 

Agreed! Best price out there right now! I can't wait to receive my Helix I/C. A few steps closer to getting my tune!

 

What Way said.

Last I saw of a Helix group buy, it took forever to actually get them. For a couple extra ducats, Way will have one to you in a couple days.

 

Does the forge IC install require ditching the stock brake ducts? The grille that comes with it doesn't seem to accomodate them.

--Matt

 

No it doesn't:

 

The fall group buy shipped out completely in the 2 days following the end date. Not sure how that qualifies as "took forever". And even so, on sale the forge is still $80 more with shipping than the helix, $100 more if we hit 30 people before march 1st. And you are talking about a piece that weighs practically nothing, what is 1-2 lbs of difference going to make on a 2600 lb car?

 

"If".... Anyway, the group buy started on 28 January and is still ongoing with nothing shipped. To me, that is forever, especially when I want something just as it might be for the OP who wants an FMIC before his tune. I am lucky that I didn't have to pay shipping. By-the-by nothing wrong with the Helix intercooler.

 

So if I get in on the group buy, when can I expect to get it?

 

Group Buy ends March 1st, and it looks like it took the fall group buy members about 3-4 days to get their packages once they shipped out, so would be safe to assume you would have it the first full week of March assuming there are no delays.

 

I would be interested in the group buy since I'm on the hunt for a FMIC myself.

 

I went with the Forge for the performance, weight and price. Plus I am attracted to shiney things...Can't beat the look of those polished tanks.

 

The only thing that's a concern of mine is the fact that all of the intercoolers sit slightly to the side (Including the stock one, I'm assuming). I like that the Alta takes up the whole lower grille. Does anyone have a reason as to why I shouldn't go with Alta?

Oh by the way, I have a 2012. Are all of these brands compatible with my car as far as you guys know?

 

I don't know of any reason not to get the Alta other than I hear they're extremely difficult to install due to size, but unless you plan to remove the lower grill it won't matter much since you really won't see or notice the offset behind the grill.

 

Nice! I'm assuming there at pop out pieces for them? The pics I've seen of the provided grill are all a bit too dark for me to tell.

--Matt

 

Does the Forge perform better than the Helix? Or is that personal opinion from what you wanted from a FMIC?