[gabr]

Hey guys, finally decided to get an intercooler! I know some things to look for are fin density, height, weight and depth.

Just wondering if these are enough to show how good the performance will be? So if different brands have the same dimensions, its safe to say that the performance will be similar or there are other factors to consider too? Looking for a 5" intercooler on ecs tuning and saw some brands like MAD, VRSF, Masata at similar pricing. What do you guys think?

[gabr]

Apologies! Just realized was in the wrong forum, please ignore!

[mike@x-ph.com]

No worries, still apply since N55 and N54 use the same intercooler.

Im not familiar with Masata density core but VRSF and MAD both use high fin density. Their performance will be similar in my opinion.

[wheela]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

No worries, still apply since N55 and N54 use the same intercooler.

Im not familiar with Masata density core but VRSF and MAD both use high fin density. Their performance will be similar in my opinion.

Do you by chance know how the VRSF and MAD cores compare to the Wagner EVO 1 core?

[bimmerfan1972]

I use the VRSF 5". I like it, have not had it on dyno yet, but I can tell you that I noticed the power increase after install and tune.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by wheela

Do you by chance know how the VRSF and MAD cores compare to the Wagner EVO 1 core?

I never compared them but i believe they offer more fins per row than the Wagner one.

[wheela]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I never compared them but i believe they offer more fins per row than the Wagner one.

Thanks for responding. Bummer, I have the Wagner evo 1. Oh well, it seems to work well enough for me.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by wheela

Thanks for responding. Bummer, I have the Wagner evo 1. Oh well, it seems to work well enough for me.

The Wagner Evo 1 is an excellent intercooler for stage 1 maps. The number of fins is not the only factor determining the best intercooler. If that were the case, all companies would be cramming as many fins as possible into their core.

[gabr]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

No worries, still apply since N55 and N54 use the same intercooler.

Im not familiar with Masata density core but VRSF and MAD both use high fin density. Their performance will be similar in my opinion.

Hey Mike, thanks

Just wondering if there's a range for "high fin density"? how many FPI would you consider them as high?

[Info@mad-us.com]

Originally Posted by gabr

Hey Mike, thanks

Just wondering if there's a range for "high fin density"? how many FPI would you consider them as high?

Hi,
Our old standard core was about 8-9 fins per inch and our new HD core is around 16 fins per inch.

Hope that helps

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by gabr

Hey Mike, thanks

Just wondering if there's a range for "high fin density"? how many FPI would you consider them as high?

Originally Posted by Info@mad-us.com

Hi,
Our old standard core was about 8-9 fins per inch and our new HD core is around 16 fins per inch.

Hope that helps

+1 anything over 14 is now considered high density.

[BoostedFella]

Don't spend a lot of money on one. I found the cheapest one on ebay and it's held up great. No boost leaks and great temps.

[Torgus]

Get the largest one you can afford. Buy it once.

[njang92]

Rocking the VRSF 5" and love it so far. Keeps the car cool enough in the summer months and never an issue in the winter months. Introduced a tiny amount of "aspiration" noise as well. The metal FMIC->CP replacement connection was a big factor in my choice too. If you don't want to trim the front bumper, 5" is the way to go for plug and play. If you're throwing 500+ HP at it and don't mind some trimming, I'd go 7.5" and buy once like above said.

[glocknick]

I agree with the last 2 posters. Buy the biggest you can afford. I bought the 7.5 VRSF and it's incredible how well it works. I had 5 track days on my car plus another 4 days at the drag strip. I ran a 12.79@109 with the VRSF intercooler and chargepipe and MHDs E50 tune.

[Info@mad-us.com]

Our 7.5 Race intercooler is a great option especially now that we offer it in a high density fin version as the same low price..

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by Info@mad-us.com

Our 7.5 Race intercooler is a great option especially now that we offer it in a high density fin version as the same low price..

Can you advertise on this site/forum and not be a vendor now?

I don't care so much as would like be to allowed to do it myself...

[n55powered]

I’m running the 7” ARM fmic and can’t complain. Also decided to go with the upgraded hoses to prevent bottlenecks.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by n55powered

I’m running the 7” ARM fmic and can’t complain. Also decided to go with the upgraded hoses to prevent bottlenecks.

[CLEAN13BOOSTED]

Wagner seems like the way to go for plug and play stage 1 installation ease?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by CLEAN13BOOSTED

Wagner seems like the way to go for plug and play stage 1 installation ease?

I'd go with the MAD 5" instead, it will outperform the wagner and save you money

[wheela]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I'd go with the MAD 5" instead, it will outperform the wagner and save you money

I'm curious if you're aware of any testing that shows this? I haven't seen any heat transfer ratings for any, but Wagner atleast published flow restriction values for EVO 1, 2, and 3 compared to the stock intercooler, which is more than I've seen from others. I thought the MAD 5" looked like a copy of the wagner, so I'm curious to understand the details of relative performance between the two, and if one actually outperforms the other.

For what it' worth, my EVO 1 has been working great for my stock turbo MHD stage 2+ I'm going to see how it holds up when I get my EFR 8374 installed. It should stay under 20 psi on 93 only, and it's a daily driver so only short WOT stabs or 2 or 3 gear pulls, so I'm hoping the EVO 1 will be sufficient for my use conditions...