FL5 Intercooler Reference Thread

[blueroadster]

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

FWIW, I paid $1,850 this past February for the J's shipped to my door. Current pricing from BHJ shipped to my door would be:

1. J's: $1,959 plus tariff fees
2. HKS: $1,012 plus tariff fees
3. HKS with piping kit: $1,563 plus tariff fees

As much as I love the J's, it would be hard to justify the additional $947 over the HKS. Additional cost of tariff fees burn the wallet even more. That said, if I needed to order an intercooler today, I would personally lean towards the HKS with piping kit or WOT.

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[apl360]

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

Pwr told me about a week ago, after having to wait like 5-7 weeks for my intercooler, with no warning at all;

“hey we forgot to not spray our logo on your intercooler. So U can either take it and we will send U the 100$ U paid us to not spray it or wait till February for another.”

I doubt it’s in stock bro. Fucking dishonest shady fucks. Them and their great products. How the hell do U make such great shit and operate your business like that.

 

[blueroadster]

Pwr told me about a week ago, after having to wait like 5-7 weeks for my intercooler, with no warning at all;

“hey we forgot to not spray our logo on your intercooler. So U can either take it and we will send U the 100$ U paid us to not spray it or wait till February for another.”

I doubt it’s in stock bro. Fucking dishonest shady fucks. Them and their great products. How the hell do U make such great shit and operate your business like that.

Are you kidding me? PWR charges an additional $100 to not have their corporate logo sprayed onto the front?

 

[apl360]

Are you kidding me? PWR charges an additional $100 to not have their corporate logo sprayed onto the front?

Correct. I too was shocked. I’ve never heard of such nickel and diming before. Amazing how great products just lets U get away with success U don’t deserve.

I did learn a valuable lesson tho. That’s for sure. Before I buy anything from any company or vendor. I’ll be researching like a mf

 

[Unity Performance]

PRL Tube & Fin just dropped - $999.99 shipped to Lower 48

https://unity-performance.com/products/prl-tube-fin-intercooler-fl5-de5

 

[iTurn]

Bizarro world where a tube n fin costs more than bar n plate.

 

[Nikw91]

Mishimoto as well.

https://www.mishimoto.com/performance-intercooler-kit-honda-civic-type-r-2023.html

 

[Nikw91]

So it appears the two new intercoolers on the market, Mishimoto ships out 2/18/2026.

PRL:
Tube and Fin (11 rows)
7.25" tall
4.25" thick
28.2" long
14.4 lbs
CNC billet 6061 aluminum end tanks


Mishimoto:
Bar and plate (12 rows)
7.24” tall
4.72” thick
Unknown length
30 lbs
Cast aluminum end tanks

Does anyone think either of these intercoolers will perform as good or better than the current top 3 track focused, tube and fin intercoolers? (HKS, PWR, J’s)

One thing I notice is both cores of PRL 4.25” and Mishimoto 4.72” appear to be noticeably thicker then PWR 3.43” , HKS 3.94”, and J’s Racing 3.94”, which I’m assuming affects air flow to the radiator.

 

[blueroadster]

PRL Tube & Fin just dropped - $999.99 shipped to Lower 48

https://unity-performance.com/products/prl-tube-fin-intercooler-fl5-de5

Thanks for the heads up...I added details to the first post.

 

[blueroadster]

Bizarro world where a tube n fin costs more than bar n plate.

Both core designs have matured over the years. Some T&F cores are more efficient and durable such as the one used in the J's Racing Intercooler. Some B&P cores are either old school B&P (Heavy) or Hybrid B&P that looks like a B&P on the outside but is lighter than a traditional B&P such as the OEM core that claims to be T&F.

 

[blueroadster]

Mishimoto as well.

https://www.mishimoto.com/performance-intercooler-kit-honda-civic-type-r-2023.html

Thanks for the heads up...I added details to the first post.

 

[apl360]

Both core designs have matured over the years. Some T&F cores are more efficient and durable such as the one used in the J's Racing Intercooler. Some B&P cores are either old school B&P (Heavy) or Hybrid B&P that looks like a B&P on the outside but is lighter than a traditional B&P such as the OEM core that claims to be T&F.

Pwr’s bar and plate seems to be hybrid too. It’s remarkably light

 

[siwelnosaj]

Pwr’s bar and plate seems to be hybrid too. It’s remarkably light

I have my old PWR IC for sale for anyone interested, $1300 shipped. Powder coated by PWR.

 

[blueroadster]

So it appears the two new intercoolers on the market, Mishimoto ships out 2/18/2026.

PRL:
Tube and Fin (11 rows)
7.25" tall
4.25" thick
28.2" long
14.4 lbs
CNC billet 6061 aluminum end tanks


Mishimoto:
Bar and plate (12 rows)
7.24” tall
4.72” thick
Unknown length
30 lbs
Cast aluminum end tanks

Does anyone think either of these radiators will perform as good or better than the current top 3 track focused, tube and fin intercoolers? (HKS, PWR, J’s)

One thing I notice is both cores of PRL 4.25” and Mishimoto 4.72” appear to be noticeably thicker then PWR 3.43” , HKS 3.94”, and J’s Racing 3.94”, which I’m assuming affects air flow to the radiator.

Details updated in the first post. IMHO, I do not like the tight and thin fin density on traditional B&P cores or those that claim to be Hybrid B&P or T&F cores with the same tight and thin fin density that restricts airflow to the radiator...Engineer something more modern and efficient that is not a boat anchor ahead of the front axel if a premium price is going to be charged.

IMHO, I would rate the current top three intercoolers as:

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

The WOT intercooler has no fins but uses microtubes for better thermal transfer. It makes more sense when you research the efficiency of using microtubes.

 

[Two Step Performance]

Details updated in the first post. IMHO, I do not like the tight and thin fin density on traditional B&P cores or those that claim to be Hybrid B&P or T&F cores with the same tight and thin fin density that restricts airflow to the radiator...Engineer something more modern and efficient that is not a boat anchor ahead of the front axel if a premium price is going to be charged.

IMHO, I would rate the current top three intercoolers as:

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

The WOT intercooler has no fins but uses microtubes for better thermal transfer. It makes more sense when you research the efficiency of using microtubes.

Catch me up here, are these rankings based on assumed airflow through the cores? Do we have any data regarding measured airflow (front to back) or any data on engine coolant temps comparing multiple options in a relatively controlled testing environment?

If you were to compare the J's Racing tube and fin to the new PRL tube and fin, the PRL option has a 10% larger face, and while it is 10% deeper (more internal volume / cooling capacity) it should still allow a fixed amount of air to flow through to the radiator easier (front to back) than the smaller faced option.

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