FL5 Intercooler Reference Thread

blueroadster · Apr 12, 2025

This post compares various FL5 intercooler offerings. Note that volume is calculated using the overall core width, height, and depth measurements. Actual internal volume will be less depending upon the core design type used. Manufacturer links (where available) are also provided for further reading.

Please respond with any additions and/or corrections. Here is the current FL5 intercooler list ordered based upon weight (low to high):

OEM (Part Number: 19710-66V-A01):
- Type: Square T&F
- Fins: 11
- Tubes: 10
- End Tanks: Resin
- Stock IC Elbows: Retained
- Core Size: 639 x 158 x 64 (25.16"W x 6.22"H x 2.52"D)
- Volume: 394.31 cubic inches (6.46L)
- Surface Area: 100,962 mm (156.50 inches)
- Modifications: None
- Weight: 6.9 lbs.
PWR:
- Type: Hybrid B&P
- Fins: 13
- Tubes: 12
- End Tanks: Machined billet aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Retained
- Core Size: 700 x 181 x 87 (27.56"W x 7.13"H x 3.43"D)
- Volume: 672.66 cubic inches (11.02L)
- Surface Area: 126,700 mm (186.62 inches)
- Modifications: None
- Weight: ~11 lbs.
- Installation Instructions: ???
- Forum Discussion
J's Racing:
- Type: T&F (Core designed by Daiwa Racing Labo (DRL); Core structure details
- Fins: 11
- Tubes: 10
- End Tanks: Sheet metal
- Stock IC Elbows: Retained
- Core Size: 700 x 172 x 100 (27.56"W x 6.77"H x 3.94"D)
- Volume: 735.72 cubic inches (12.05L)
- Surface Area: 120,400 mm (186.58 inches)
- Modifications: (1) Minor trim to move air temp sensor higher on the bracket and (2) removal of the factory intercooler side duct plates (air guides) attached to the rear of the front bumper
- Weight: 13 lbs.
- Installation Instructions
- Forum Discussion
PRL (Updated Design):
- Type: T&F (CSF Core)
- Fins: 11
- Tubes: 10
- End Tanks: CNC-machined 6061 aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Retained
- Core Size: 716 x 184 x 108 (28.2"W x 7.25"H x 4.25"D)
- Volume: 868.91 cubic inches (14.24L)
- Surface Area: 131,744 mm (204.45 inches)
- Modifications: (1) Removal of air temp sensor bracket, (2) drilling a hole through the bottom of the plastic air dam (offset from original air temp sensor bracket location), (3) relocation of the sensor to the drilled hole and (4) removal of the factory intercooler side duct plates (air guides) attached to the rear of the front bumper
- Weight: 14.4 lbs.
- Installation Instructions
- Blog: PRL Intercooler Test
- Forum Discussion: ???
HKS:
- Type: T&F
- Fins: 10
- Tubes: 9
- End Tanks: Cast aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Retained (Optional intercooler piping offered as a kit ot sold separately)
- Core Size: 695 x 178 x 100 (27.36"W x 7.01"H x 3.94"D)
- Volume: 754.92 cubic inches (12.37L)
- Surface Area: 123,710 mm (191.79 inches)
- Modifications: (1) Minor trim to move air temp sensor higher on the bracket and (2) either trimming or removal of the factory intercooler side duct plates (air guides) attached to the rear of the front bumper
- Weight: 15.65 lbs.
- Installation Instructions
- Forum Discussion: ???
HPT (Sold through WOT Performance...Contact Jason @siwelnosaj on this forum)
- Type: Micro-tube
- Fins: 0
- Tubes: 1,102 (38 tubes H and 29 tubes D)
- End Tanks: Machined billet aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Retained
- Core Size: 714 x 185 x 109 (28.11"W x 7.28"H x 4.29"D)
- Volume: 878.61 cubic inches (14.40L)
- Surface Area: 132,090 mm (204.64 inches)
- Modifications: ???
- Weight: 16.09 lbs.
- Installation Instructions: ???
- Forum Discussion
Wagner:
- Type: Square T&F
- Fins: 25
- Tubes: 24
- End Tanks: Cast aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Replaced with silicone elbows
- Core Size: 580 x 400 x 70 (22.83"W x 15.75"H x 2.76"D)
- Volume: 991.03 cubic inches (16.24L)
- Surface Area: 232,000 mm (359.57 inches)
- Modifications: Attachment brackets added to aluminum bumper reinforcement bar
- Weight: 21 lbs.
- Installation Instructions
- Forum Discussion
Cobb:
- Type: B&P (Garrett Core)
- Fins: 9
- Tubes: 8
- End Tanks: Cast aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Replaced with 2.5″ mandrel bent aluminum tubing and silicone elbows
- Core Size: 665 x 178 x 108 (26.2″W x 7″H x 4.25″D)
- Volume: 779.45 cubic inches (12.77L)
- Surface Area: 118,370 mm (183.4 inches)
- Modifications: (1) Bottom of the air deflector requires trimming and (2) trimming of the factory intercooler side duct plates (air guides)
- Weight: 21.6 lbs.
- Installation Instructions
- Installation Note: It was mentioned that the current Cobb IC is not compatible with some oil cooler kits (e.g., HEL) due to the proprietary mounting brackets used. A potential update to the brackets may be released in the future to resolve the issue.
- Forum Discussion
PRL:
- Type: B&P
- Fins: 9
- Tubes: 8
- End Tanks: Raw billet aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Retained
- Core Size: 720 x 184 x 109 (28.35"W x 7.24"H x 4.29"D)
- Volume: 881.20 cubic inches (14.44L)
- Surface Area: 132,480 mm (205.25 inches)
- Modifications: (1) Removal of air temp sensor bracket, (2) drilling a hole through the bottom of the plastic air dam (offset from original air temp sensor bracket location), (3) relocation of the sensor to the drilled hole and (4) removal of the factory intercooler side duct plates (air guides) attached to the rear of the front bumper
- Weight: 22.2 lbs.
- Installation Instructions
- Blog: PRL Intercooler Test
- Forum Discussion: ???
Airtec:
- Type: B&P
- Fins: 11
- Tubes: 10
- End Tanks: Cast aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Replaced with silicone elbows
- Core Size: 700 x 190 x 130 (27.56"W x 7.48"H x 5.12"D)
- Volume: 1,055.10 cubic inches (17.29L)
- Surface Area: 133,000 mm (206.15 inches)
- Modifications: (1) Removal of air temp sensor bracket, (2) relocation of the sensor to a bracket on the top rear side of the intercooler and (3) removal of the factory intercooler side duct plates (air guides) attached to the rear of the front bumper
- Weight: 23 lbs.
- Installation Instructions
- Forum Discussion: ???
RV6:
- Type: Square extrusion T&F
- Fins: 15
- Tubes: 14
- End Tanks: Cast aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Retained
- Core Size: 698.5 x 177.8 x 101.6 (27.5"W x 7.00"H x 4.00"D)
- Volume: 769.87 cubic inches (12.62L)
- Surface Area: 124,193 mm (192.5 inches)
- Modifications: (1) Trim off the air temperature sensor mounting tag, (2) drill a 5/16” hole in the plastic bumper support in front of the original mounting tag location, (3) remove the Duct Plates on the front bumper from both sides and (4) install the supplied pressure fit Rubber Seals onto the plastic Intercooler grill on both sides by pressing it into place.
- Weight: 24 lbs.
- Installation Instructions
- Forum Discussion: ???
MDR:
- Type: B&P
- Fins: 9
- Tubes: 8
- End Tanks: Machined billet aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Retained
- Core Size: 711.2 x 178.31 x 139.7 (28.00"W x 7.02"H x 5.50"D)
- Volume: 1,081.09 cubic inches (17.72L)
- Surface Area: 126,814 mm (195.56 inches)
- Modifications: (1) Removal of air temp sensor bracket, (2) relocation of the sensor to a bracket on the top front side of the intercooler and (3) removal of the factory intercooler side duct plates (air guides) attached to the rear of the front bumper
- Weight: 29.5 lbs.
- Installation Instructions: ???
- Forum Discussion
Mishimoto (Future release: Estimated ship date being 02/18/2026):
- Type: B&P
- Fins: 12
- Tubes: 11
- End Tanks: Cast aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Replaced as part of the included intercooler piping kit
- Core Size: 727.96 x 183.89 x 119.88 (28.66"W x 7.24"H x 4.72"D)
- Volume: 979.39 cubic inches (16.05L)
- Surface Area: 133,864 mm (207.49 inches)
- Modifications: (1) Removal of air temp sensor bracket, (2) relocation of the sensor to a bracket on the top front side of the intercooler and (3) removal of the factory intercooler side duct plates (air guides) attached to the rear of the front bumper
- Weight: 30 lbs.
- Installation Instructions
- Forum Discussion
CDM Performance:
- Type: B&P (Garrett Core 848054-6020); Core structure details
- Fins: 10
- Tubes: 9
- End Tanks: Machined billet aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Retained
- Core Size: 668 x 198 x 109 (26.3"W x 7.8"H x 4.3"D)
- Volume: 879.77 cubic inches (14.42L)
- Surface Area: 132,264 mm (205.14 inches)
- Modifications: ???
- Weight: ???
- Installation Instructions: ???
- Forum Discussion: ???
PLM:
- Type: B&P
- Fins: 9
- Tubes: 8
- End Tanks: Machined billet aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Retained
- Core Size: 715 x 184 x 110 (28.15"W x 7.24"H x 4.33"D)
- Volume: 882.48 cubic inches (14.46L)
- Surface Area: 131,560 mm (203.81 inches)
- Modifications: ???
- Weight: ???
- Installation Instructions: ???
- Forum Discussion: ???
TAKETWO:
- Type: T&F
- Fins: 11
- Tubes: 10
- End Tanks: Machined billet aluminum
- Stock IC Elbows: Retained
- Core Size: 700 x 160 x 110 (27.56"W x 6.3"H x 4.33"D)
- Volume: 751.81 cubic inches (12.32L)
- Surface Area: 112,000 mm (173.63 inches)
- Modifications: ???
- Weight: ???
- Installation Instructions: ???
- Forum Discussion: ???
Spoon (yet to be released...Instagram Post): ???

jtlctr · Apr 12, 2025

This thread by Gambit has some intercooler info, including his DIY kit.
https://www.civicxi.com/forum/threads/gambit-intercooler-kit-fl5.54571/#post-905539

blueroadster · May 27, 2025

Added details for the CDM Performance intercooler that uses a Garrett core and is similar in size to the PRL intercooler.

NeRO_CTR · May 27, 2025

Thank you. IDK why I have high hopes for spoon, they may be the deciding factor for us street guys who plan to track on occasion.

blueroadster · May 27, 2025

NeRO_CTR said:
Thank you. IDK why I have high hopes for spoon, they may be the deciding factor for us street guys who plan to track on occasion.

Glad to help...There is a lot of data published regarding the J's Racing, HKS, and Wagner intercoolers to research and decide what is best for you. I am not sure why other manufacturers do not publish similar levels of information to help one make an informed decision without having to reference end-user experiences.

blueroadster · Jun 20, 2025

Added the HTP intercooler to the list and manufacturer links (where available) for further reading.

AspecR · Jul 31, 2025

RV6 opened orders for their Tube and Fin intercooler today. Here are some minor details from their site

Tube and fin design with square extrusions and internal vertical fins for strength, optimum cooling efficiencies without sacrificing pressure changes or drops, and maintaining lightweight.
Core dimensions: 27.50” wide x 7.00” high x 4.00” deep
Weight: 24lbs

jtlctr · Jul 31, 2025

AspecR said:
RV6 opened orders for their Tube and Fin intercooler today. Here are some minor details from their site

Tube and fin design with square extrusions and internal vertical fins for strength, optimum cooling efficiencies without sacrificing pressure changes or drops, and maintaining lightweight.

Core dimensions: 27.50” wide x 7.00” high x 4.00” deep

Weight: 24lbs

Bit of a disappointment on the weight. When the teaser was first dropped last year, it was listed at a little over 16lbs, which interested me. Now it’s 24lbs?! I’m guessing they must have had to redesign the whole thing, which would explain why it’s nearly 8 months late.
Good price though!

AspecR · Jul 31, 2025

jtlctr said:
Bit of a disappointment on the weight. When the teaser was first dropped last year, it was listed at a little over 16lbs, which interested me. Now it’s 24lbs?! I’m guessing they must have had to redesign the whole thing, which would explain why it’s nearly 8 months late.
Good price though!

Yea I was surprised at the weight too. It weighs more than my Airtec intercooler with less volume. Glad to see more reasonably priced options on the market though.

UCF120 · Aug 21, 2025

So after reading this thread in its entirety, along with a bunch of other intercooler threads, and seeing dyno runs with and without aftermarket intercoolers, I’m still thoroughly confused.

can anyone definitively say an aftermarket larger intercooler is necessary for a street driven car with only a downpipe and tune?

I see a bunch of stats for these intercoolers and a bunch of banter back and forth but no definitive answer. Is the oem intercooler sufficient for a car aiming to make around 370whp after a downpipe and custom tune? Is an aftermarket intercooler necessary? If so, which one! So much info but no one saying whether PRL, RV6, PWR etc..are worth it for a street driven car.

a lot say a bigger intercooler isn’t necessary but then you look at some dyno plots from Derek Robinson and all the cars with a bigger intercooler generally are in the 370-380whp range. He recently did one with a downpipe and factory intercooler that made less than 360whp and he attributed it to heat soak due to the factory intercooler. He said a bigger one is necessary but a lot of others say factory is good for just a street driven car.

im so confused

anyone with some experience able to shed some light on whether or not a car that will only be driven on the street, only looking to make around 380whp with a tune and downpipe, and drives pretty normally with a pull here and there needs to spend the money on an aftermarket intercooler?

jtlctr · Aug 21, 2025

UCF120 said:
So after reading this thread in its entirety, along with a bunch of other intercooler threads, and seeing dyno runs with and without aftermarket intercoolers, I’m still thoroughly confused.

can anyone definitively say an aftermarket larger intercooler is necessary for a street driven car with only a downpipe and tune?

I see a bunch of stats for these intercoolers and a bunch of banter back and forth but no definitive answer. Is the oem intercooler sufficient for a car aiming to make around 370whp after a downpipe and custom tune? Is an aftermarket intercooler necessary? If so, which one! So much info but no one saying whether PRL, RV6, PWR etc..are worth it for a street driven car.

a lot say a bigger intercooler isn’t necessary but then you look at some dyno plots from Derek Robinson and all the cars with a bigger intercooler generally are in the 370-380whp range. He recently did one with a downpipe and factory intercooler that made less than 360whp and he attributed it to heat soak due to the factory intercooler. He said a bigger one is necessary but a lot of others say factory is good for just a street driven car.

im so confused anyone with some experience able to shed some light on whether or not a car that will only be driven on the street, only looking to make around 380whp with a tune and downpipe, and drives pretty normally with a pull here and there needs to spend the money on an aftermarket intercooler?

I’m in the same exact boat here with the same driving habits. I have a tune and downpipe. I’ve been eying intercoolers for a while but can’t make up my mind. I know that there’s no real extra power to be had, it’s more about maintaining existing power for longer with a cooler air charge. I haven’t wanted to spend the money as I’m not sure I’ll reap the benefits.

UCF120 · Aug 21, 2025

jtlctr said:
I’m in the same exact boat here with the same driving habits. I have a tune and downpipe. I’ve been eying intercoolers for a while but can’t make up my mind. I know that there’s no real extra power to be had, it’s more about maintaining existing power for longer with a cooler air charge. I haven’t wanted to spend the money as I’m not sure I’ll reap the benefits.

which downpipe did you go with? How much power did you get after the tune? The way Derek Robinson explained it when he just recently tuned an FL5 with an aftermarket downpipe and factory intercooler that made like 356whp is that the factory intercooler was heat soaking between runs which wouldn’t allow him to push timing to make more power. He’s under the impression that a bigger intercooler is necessary even to make the typical 370-380whp that most of these cars are making but others seem to disagree and think the factory intercooler is fine .

and yeah there is just so much contradictory information out there. I find it funny also that a lot of people are calling the PRL intercooler an overweight brick and were waiting for RV6 to come out with their intercooler just for it to weigh more than the PRL

… then you have B&P design vs T&F…so much info and no definitive answer as to which is better for a street car that will never see the track.

people have said that bar and plate is better for the street and tube and fin is better for the track. Yet so many want to buy the RV6 which is tube and fin..for the street

not to mention that oem is tube and fin. God I couldn’t be more confused.

AspecR · Aug 21, 2025

The intercooler you choose really depends on your use case. Every brand listed in this thread will outperform the stock intercooler, some will do so by a larger margin than others based on their design.

For street cars I recommend a bar and plate intercooler mainly because based on where the intercooler is mounted they tend to take a lot of hits from road debris, which bar and plate intercooler are generally more robust and adept at handling with minimal damage. Bar and plate intercoolers GENERALLY take longer to heat soak than tube and fin intercoolers but when they do heat soak they also take longer to dissipate that heat. The thing is though on the street you will almost never do hard enough driving consistently to heat soak a good quality bar and plate intercooler.

For 99% of FL5 owners the trusted PRL intercooler will get the job done effectively. It has been proven that other brands do outperform the PRL but most of the ones that do also cost more than the PRL intercooler.

RV6 and the Airtec intercooler can be had for less than the cost of the PRL intercooler and they both outperform it.

UCF120 · Aug 21, 2025

AspecR said:
The intercooler you choose really depends on your use case. Every brand listed in this thread will outperform the stock intercooler, some will do so by a larger margin than others based on their design.

For street cars I recommend a bar and plate intercooler mainly because based on where the intercooler is mounted they tend to take a lot of hits from road debris, which bar and plate intercooler are generally more robust and adept at handling with minimal damage. Bar and plate intercoolers GENERALLY take longer to heat soak than tube and fin intercoolers but when they do heat soak they also take longer to dissipate that heat. The thing is though on the street you will almost never do hard enough driving consistently to heat soak a good quality bar and plate intercooler.

For 99% of FL5 owners the trusted PRL intercooler will get the job done effectively. It has been proven that other brands do outperform the PRL but most of the ones that do also cost more than the PRL intercooler.

RV6 and the Airtec intercooler can be had for less than the cost of the PRL intercooler and they both outperform it.

appreciate the response and break down. Helps tackle a lot of this info.

Does the RV6 being tube and fin make it not the best for a street car then? even if it outperforms the PRL? The Airtec seem to be a good compromise of everything. I do a lot of highway driving and my car will more than likely never see a track. Just a couple pulls on the street here and there.

AspecR · Aug 22, 2025

UCF120 said:
appreciate the response and break down. Helps tackle a lot of this info.

Does the RV6 being tube and fin make it not the best for a street car then? even if it outperforms the PRL? The Airtec seem to be a good compromise of everything. I do a lot of highway driving and my car will more than likely never see a track. Just a couple pulls on the street here and there.

The RV6 intercooler can actually be considered a “hybrid” intercooler because even though it is a tube and fin intercooler it uses a extruded square internal tubes and fins so its internal components have a cross section that looks similar to a bar and plate intercooler. Hence it essentially has the best properties of both intercooler types. It will work well for a street car and is a great option. Most forum members didn’t get it because it was delayed multiple times and the HKS and J’s racing intercooler which share a similar design were readily available even though the RV6 is cheaper than both of those JDM options. The RV6 will work great and unless you plan to make way over 600whp, it will meet all your needs.

FL5 Intercooler Reference Thread

blueroadster

Senior Member

jtlctr

Senior Member

blueroadster

Senior Member

NeRO_CTR

Senior Member

blueroadster

Senior Member

blueroadster

Senior Member

AspecR

Senior Member

jtlctr

Senior Member

AspecR

Senior Member

UCF120

Senior Member

jtlctr

Senior Member

UCF120

Senior Member

AspecR

Senior Member

UCF120

Senior Member

AspecR

Senior Member

Similar threads