Shopping for an intercooler...

Looking for a deal on Helix or Forge. Considering Chinese reversed engineered and found this...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-Mini-Cooper-S-R56-Aluminum-Stepped-Core-Intercooler-07-11-/321539832419?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4add447a63&vxp=mtr
Doesn't say Helix anywhere and it's pricey for a china IC...

 

Spend the extra 175 dollars and get a wagner. Its engineered like a brick poop house. I looked at alot of coolers. Wagner was the best bang for the buck. Its built extremely well.

 

....as is the Helix!

 

+1 and black has proven to help air cooling.

 

Sorry i offended you.
Oh wait. !!

 

The Chinese intercooler shown in the first post is not a Helix. I believe that if you count the number of horizontal tubes it is different than a real helix, and the face of those horizontal tubes is rounded on the real Helix to improve air flow. That is the only difference I can see. I have a real Helix intercooler on my R55 and it is great. It fit great too. That's something you won't know about the knockoff... Before I bought my Helix intercooler I bought a Forge knockoff and it wouldn't fit. I had to send it back to the U.K. for a refund. I learned my lesson.

 

Great thread.

Personally, I wouldn't do a knock-off but that is me.

Is the Wagner one a direct bolt on or does it require some trimming here and there on either the IC or the bumper cover to install it?

I thought there was one that you had to tweak to get it to fit.

I have seen the Helix, so I know that one was a no mod install.

Thanks.

 

Standard wagner cooler will bolt right up. Competition wagner like i have requires 5mph bumper to be trimmed. End tanks ate all one piece. I can take a photo and post it when i get home if you wanna see one ? Be more than happy to show ya before it goes in the car.

 

found some in my phone. Sorry bout that folks.
Just tried to post them. App wouldn't let me since they are posted in my engine build thread.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-Mi...RV205p&vxp=mtr

Another one. Doesn't say helix in the main lines but in the ad is says it is. Looks like a chinese one. Ebay people will do anything.