Well. I'm shooting for some upper hp #s, I want a intercooler that won't get heatsoaked.

Is there that big of a difference in name brands? I know get bar/plate style.

This one is a little shorter than the precision 600hp unit. I like it because it's cheaper. And no, I dont care about being shiny. Whatever I get, it's getting painted.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FMIC-...10796324QQrdZ1

This one is a little longer than what I want.
http://www.importparts.com/shop/prod...oducts_id=4460

Lets be honest here guys. Is it worth it to have a name brand?

For the record, I'm not planning to make 600whp, it's a street car w/ ac.

 

I think you will find the opinion on this varies as much as the opinion on wheel brands...that being said, as you are not trying to make 600hp I do not think you would notice much of a difference using an off brand...especially since you plan on painting it and that is a huge no no for intercoolers.

 

Wasn't a big no-no when I was out racing... shit I wasn't even tuned, we won't go there. Haha.

Performance wise... is it worth it? It's not like these people stole a design and made a replica. They seem to be quality products. Shit, I don't even know a company that makes that EXACT deminsion intercooler. Bringing in the wheel argument was kinda true, but lets not go there. If there is a difference, I'll end up painting my 400 dollar intercooler. I don't want people knowing I'm turbo'd but I figure my 3inch exhaust and pillar pod might tip them off.

I just don't want to have to cut up my bumper-support too much. If I get in a accident, I want it to be ok.

 

The problem with the eBay stuff is you can't really see the quality of the materials used and the welds etc. until you've already bought it.Not always. A thin coat of flat black won't hurt anything.

But Swain BBE is the way to go.

 

Heres a little info for you. AMS in chicago has a fmic that xs power copied. Well, Buschur Racing tested them both on an evo with a gt35r(same day, same dyno, same car, same tune) and the ebay fmic lost 23whp after the AMS unit was used. Just fyi for your decision.

 

Yah, looking at the pictures.

I don't like how the gap is where the core meets the endtanks. There is a row of fins missing.

I have a ebay radiator on my car now. Its doing the job perfect, but it has the same issue. It's better than stock so o well.

And about the coating, lets get away from that.

 

I have no idea who AMS is.

Hondas don't really have AMS, Titan Motorsports.. etc etc.

Thats one thing thats wierd. We have so much miss-information out there it's retarded. Then again, look at our owners. :P

I appreciate the help. I guess I'll buy precision...unless more want to voice their opinions.

 

Its cool man, AMS is a shop that builds very fast 4g63s. Buschur Racing does the same. The point was that the XS Power Intercooler(ebay brand) lost power over the reputable(and more expensive) AMS Intercooler.

 

See, this is where I'm starting to fail to see how.

I kinda sorta understand how it works. Do they know why it made less power?

 

How much power was the Evo making though? If you're talking about a 23whp loss and the car was making only 220 that is a big deal, what percentage was the loss, if it is the AMS Evo making ~750whp that is still a large loss, but nothing in comparison to >10% loss.

Obviously you get what you pay for, but if someone is aiming for 3-400whp on a budget and making 320 instead of making 335 is not that big of a deal....in my opinion at least. Not if it means saving 200+ dollars.