[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

The EVO II is a 6" with a high fin density (not as high as MAD or BMS). Its most significant advantage is its weight. It probably weighs half as much as the 7.5" intercoolers.

If you are tracking your car, the 6" is the better option, in my opinion, as you need the quickest recovery and the least weight.

For street cars doing a pull on the highway now and then, the larger intercooler will outperform the 6" Wagner on that pull. The more back-to-back pulls you do, the more advantageous it is for the Wagner EVO II.

The 7.5" intercooler is comparable to the Wagner EVO III (7"), which gives you all the benefits from the 7.5" intercooler without the cons.

The weight savings alone though surely would increase the power/weight ratio to make up for it.. no?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

The weight savings alone though surely would increase the power/weight ratio to make up for it.. no?

the EVO III is a tube and fin intercooler, it's the same size as the other 7"+ intercoolers on the market but weighs 40% less.

This makes a big difference for serious track users, but if the car is mostly used on the street, it probably is not worth the extra cost.

[Torgus]

My vote is always the 7.5'' race from VRSF or BMS. Just get the biggest IC you can afford and be done with it. Buy once, cry once. It will work fine for stock turbos all the way up to big singles.

Meth helps and it great, I run meth. But I want my AITs to be as low as possible at the IC exit. This way the water/meth brings the temp down as much as possible and adds as much AKI as possible.

The moment you buy an aftermarket IC, then you decide it does not cool enough and you have to sell 2nd hand and then rebuy the right IC you should have bought from the beginning, you are significantly upside down.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Torgus

My vote is always the 7.5'' race from VRSF or BMS. Just get the biggest IC you can afford and be done with it. Buy once, cry once. It will work fine for stock turbos all the way up to big singles.

Meth helps and it great, I run meth. But I want my AITs to be as low as possible at the IC exit. This way the water/meth brings the temp down as much as possible and adds as much AKI as possible.

The moment you buy an aftermarket IC, then you decide it does not cool enough and you have to sell 2nd hand and then rebuy the right IC you should have bought from the beginning, you are significantly upside down.

but if you get a 7.5" intercooler on stage 1, you are adding turbo lag, weight, slower recovery without any benefit.

A high-quality 5" core will keep temps in check, save you money without any of the cons mentioned above.

If you are going with stage 2 and/or upgraded turbo, I agree with your advice.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

but if you get a 7.5" intercooler on stage 1, you are adding turbo lag, weight, slower recovery without any benefit.

A high-quality 5" core will keep temps in check, save you money without any of the cons mentioned above.

If you are going with stage 2 and/or upgraded turbo, I agree with your advice.

Turbo lag is really minimal...the stock twins spin up instantly if anything 200 rpms of lag would be welcome

When you say stage you mean MHD stage? Stage 1 is no mods.

I get your point, if you NEVER are going to go past mild stock like maps a quality 5'' will be fine. But as N54 twins are ageing and failing left and right and it is cheaper and cheaper to make n54s fast I still think you should buy the largest IC your wallet can afford.

To each their own

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Torgus

[*]Turbo lag is really minimal...the stock twins spin up
instantly if anything 200 rpms of lag would be welcome

When you say stage you mean MHD stage? Stage 1 is no mods.

I get your point, if you NEVER are going to go past mild stock like maps a quality 5'' will be fine. But as N54 twins are ageing and failing left and right and it is cheaper and cheaper to make n54s fast I still think you should buy the largest IC your wallet can afford.

By stage 1, I mean a tune with a charge and intercooler. No downpipes, no upgraded turbos, etc...

Originally Posted by Torgus

To each their own

Yes sir