Intercooler N00b question

[king_kw13]

Hi

Wondering what types of intercoolers are there out there and what are the differences?

For example what is a bar and plate intercooler and what other variants are around. Which is better? Are Jap brands one better researched, designed and flowing than cheaper ones (eg truck or non-polished ones)?

Next question i got is what is a useful sized intercooler for an R33 GTST if you were to say hi-flow the turbo and add the usual small mods?

Will 600x300x76 do?

[FLY-SKY]

ive been told that the bar n blate coolers are better for a drag strip and the tube and fin are better for things like tracks

i chose to get a blitz lm series cooleer for my 32 gtst rather then buying a cheaper brand, i just think that with all the research the big companies such as blitz, trusts, apexi do they must be making better coolers.. thats just my opinion

[king_kw13]

thanks for the opinion - how do the 2 different coolers differ in terms of method of cooling?

[Ronin 09]

i believe that bar and plate cool a little more efficienty, but they exhibit more pressure drop. They are heavier, and are more prone to damage. Tube and fin do not cool as well, are lighter and are perhaps more robust. There is a very good tech article at:

www.are.com.au

I am waiting to install a bar and plate cooler from them - the construction is excellent, and they offer 10% off to SAU.

[G0DF4Th3R]

if im not mistaken, bar and plate cool well, less flow

tube and fin, good flow, not as good at cooling

[hippy]

how much difference are u going to get with a 600hp cooler??? on a 300hp car?? be it a bar and plate or tube and fin?? shit **** all!!! it doesn't matter ... get one that fits right .. looks the way u want and the price u want ... its mostly all the same if u ask me

[ed]

Originally posted by Sydneykid

blah

have you been drinking again?

[¨[TUFR-33]¨]

I got a HKS type S tube and fin cooler for 1300 from nengun sometimes its better to by the brand name option if prices are close.

[¨[TUFR-33]¨]

I personally wouldn't go past a jap brand full intercooler kit including piping and hoses for the $1300 - $1700 range

mine is 600*300*76

[Guest RedLineGTR]

jap brands have been tested, flow tested etc...unless a company can show us these aussie made cooler with flow test comparision..then its really hard to compaire.

[Sydneykid]

Hi king_kw13, we find the standard R33 GTR intercooler to be good up to 300 rwkw. Hard to beat for the price.

[king_kw13]

Thanks Sydneykid. Always appreciate the straight up advice. Hate to sound stupid, but what type of intercooler type is the GTR intercooler and are they front mount?

Also, are they cheaper cos u get em 2nd hand? Or are new ones also cheaper than other aftermarket ones?