FL5 Intercooler Reference Thread

[apl360]

I’ve gone down the intercooler rabbit hole now.

I have done a lot of research and everyone says Bar and Plate for street/drag or Tube and Fin for track.

I’ve noticed most after market intercoolers are bar and plate from PRL, MDR, Airtec, Cobb, PLM, etc…

I currently run the PRL bar and plate which has been amazing but for track purposes. I am considering switching to the HKS Intercooler since it’s about 8% thinner PLUS it is tube and fin.

I am installing a HEL oil cooler, CSF radiator and PRL coolant expansion tank next weekend.

Would the tube and fin HKS Intercooler be worth the switch also? I just feel like it will let so much more air to the radiator. Or am I mistaken.

I am barely considering WOTs, but it’s just about double the price so doubtful.

Why not just do a track day with your current intercooler. See how it holds up? Might be able to save yourself time and money bro.

if you’re made of money then just send it and buy whatever. I went with a pwr, plz avoid them at all costs. Awesome product but shit company to deal with. I’ll never buy from pwr ever again.

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[AspecR]

Has the Spoon intercooler been released? There is also the revised PRL T&F intercooler that will be released at some point.

Nope still unreleased, at this point development is taking so long it should be the best T&F intercooler on the market especially considering it’s gonna be overpriced

 

[apl360]

Nope still unreleased, at this point development is taking so long it should be the best T&F intercooler on the market especially considering it’s gonna be overpriced

I’ll bet you it’ll be over 2200$ (not including shipping, tariffs etc)

 

[blueroadster]

So what would be the rankings for the top 5 track Intercoolers?
1. WOT
2. PWR
3. ???
4. ???
5.???

If stock modifications are not allowed, PWR is the only intercooler choice. If minor modifications are allowed, I lean towards the following as the current top three:

1. WOT
2. J's Racing
3. HKS

Of those three and IMHO, the HKS intercooler and charge pipe kit is the best bang for the buck. The J's Racing intercooler costs more but is also more efficient than the HKS while allowing greater airflow through the core. Not worth the additional price IMHO.

I have been very happy with the J's Racing intercooler and the price point is similar to that of the WOT intercooler. Considering those two and other offerings in the lineup, the WOT intercooler spanks the competition. My only current concern with the WOT intercooler is long-term reliability of the proprietary epoxy welds sealing each of the 1.102 individual tubes on each end.

 

[AspecR]

I’ll bet you it’ll be over 2200$ (not including shipping, tariffs etc)

I wouldn’t be surprised if it cost more than that lol

 

[siwelnosaj]

That micro tube intercooler is absolutely unfuckable. My god that things ugly

I’m glad it works well. It fucking better if it’s gonna look like that. Jesus

I'm obviously biased but I honestly like the look of the Microtube structure. You're no doubt fair to feel how you do however.

One option if the looks aren't to ones liking is to either powder coat or paint (Eastwood radiator paint) the intercooler. I prefer the stealth look and had mine powder coated matte black at a local shop with only a very thin coat, and applied only to the external tubes, the internal ones remain raw. Overall performance is essentially unchanged. We don't plan to offer this as an option, but rather leave it to the customer.

Here are some pictures of mine in black:

 

[apl360]

I'm obviously biased but I honestly like the look of the Microtube structure. You're no doubt fair to feel how you do however.

One option if the looks aren't to ones liking is to either powder coat or paint (Eastwood radiator paint) the intercooler. I prefer the stealth look and had mine powder coated matte black at a local shop with only a very thin coat, and applied only to the external tubes, the internal ones remain raw. Overall performance is essentially unchanged. We don't plan to offer this as an option, but rather leave it to the customer.

Here are some pictures of mine in black:

That’s fair, everyone digs different things. It just makes me lose my erection and no amount of gas station dick pills will help.

 

[Robo7]

I'm obviously biased but I honestly like the look of the Microtube structure. You're no doubt fair to feel how you do however.

One option if the looks aren't to ones liking is to either powder coat or paint (Eastwood radiator paint) the intercooler. I prefer the stealth look and had mine powder coated matte black at a local shop with only a very thin coat, and applied only to the external tubes, the internal ones remain raw. Overall performance is essentially unchanged. We don't plan to offer this as an option, but rather leave it to the customer.

Here are some pictures of mine in black:

I think this should be offered as an option. My guess is more would chose an anodized black option over the natural silver option.

 

[Two Step Performance]

Nope still unreleased, at this point development is taking so long it should be the best T&F intercooler on the market especially considering it’s gonna be overpriced

I heard a rumor that Spoon had tube and fine cores commissioned but never had the core manufacturer ship them to them to be used, and the PRL instead bought those cores and then the PRL tube and fin intercooler was born. I asked PRL and they would not confirm but also did not deny - so who knows.

 

[AspecR]

I heard a rumor that Spoon had tube and fine cores commissioned but never had the core manufacturer ship them to them to be used, and the PRL instead bought those cores and then the PRL tube and fin intercooler was born. I asked PRL and they would not confirm but also did not deny - so who knows.

Interesting

 

[getRIGHT]

Interesting

Very much so. That’s a hellava back story!

 

[Nikw91]

Why not just do a track day with your current intercooler. See how it holds up? Might be able to save yourself time and money bro.

if you’re made of money then just send it and buy whatever. I went with a pwr, plz avoid them at all costs. Awesome product but shit company to deal with. I’ll never buy from pwr ever again.

This is the plan, see how I do in a couple of weeks when I get everything installed.

I really was leaning towards the WOT dual oil cooler set up but then pieced together a HEL oil cooler and CSF radiator for $1,100 which is about half the cost but probably half as efficient as well.

To be honest, on the track I was happy for about 15 minutes a session lol. I always came off the track before the 20 minutes was up so 15 mins is how long I need overheating to be delayed for me to be happy lol

 

[Nikw91]

If stock modifications are not allowed, PWR is the only intercooler choice. If minor modifications are allowed, I lean towards the following as the current top three:

1. WOT
2. J's Racing
3. HKS

Of those three and IMHO, the HKS intercooler and charge pipe kit is the best bang for the buck. The J's Racing intercooler costs more but is also more efficient than the HKS while allowing greater airflow through the core. Not worth the additional price IMHO.

I have been very happy with the J's Racing intercooler and the price point is similar to that of the WOT intercooler. Considering those two and other offerings in the lineup, the WOT intercooler spanks the competition. My only current concern with the WOT intercooler is long-term reliability of the proprietary epoxy welds sealing each of the 1.102 individual tubes on each end.

So this is the prices/ETAs:

1. WOT , $1,650, ETA possibly February 2026
2. J’s , $2,465, ETA in stock
3. HKS, $855, ETA possibly May 2026
4. PWR, $1,750, ETA in stock

 

[apl360]

This is the plan, see how I do in a couple of weeks when I get everything installed.

I really was leaning towards the WOT dual oil cooler set up but then pieced together a HEL oil cooler and CSF radiator for $1,100 which is about half the cost but probably half as efficient as well.

To be honest, on the track I was happy for about 15 minutes a session lol. I always came off the track before the 20 minutes was up so 15 mins is how long I need overheating to be delayed for me to be happy lol

I’m happy with 3 solid laps myself. I’m too old and banged up for that shit tho. I saw the dual wot coolers. Their ducts are dope as hell!

 

[Nikw91]

I’m happy with 3 solid laps myself. I’m too old and banged up for that shit tho. I saw the dual wot coolers. Their ducts are dope as hell!

Right!

1 warm up lap followed by going hard for 3 laps… then my old age and ADHD kicks in

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