joeybutts

Hey gang! questions on choosing an intercooler for a custom setup.
1. Are there any specs to look for?
2. Is there a certain size i need?
3. Who are the quality manufacturers? Where can you purchase them? (JUST the intercooler)

I have a 2003 GT and am looking to install a vortech V2-SQ. I want to do the custom intercooler at the same time.

I HAVE read the stickies (both of them) on the subject, and these questions(unless i am dumb and missed it somewhere) have not been answered except for the one place mentioned to buy an intercooler. Thanks!

1BadSonicBlue02GT

weeeellll Heres a link to one of the threads i was using when i put my DIY setup together
Intercooler.

Here is some pics of the cooler and piping kit i got

Fobra

treadstone is the best company i have found for the money - you want at least a 2 core or more, you want opposing intlet outlet (offset) not straight across - one higher and one lower, and you should be looking for less than 1 psi drop @15 lbs

1BadSonicBlue02GT

i honestly dont give a crap about offset inlets because its not that big of a deal. also tests have shown that there is a negligible difference until reaching 600 to 700 hundred horsepower. Treadstone may be a good company, i'm sure they are in fact. but i guarantee that my intercooler is 98% as effective as any of theirs

JJ03MustangGT

i like the treadstone i/c's....if you have the time i say do a diy kit. most people get the piping off ebay and just order the cooler itself from treadstone.com.

another option you might look at is methanol injection. it yeilds the same if not better gains with no loss of boost and actually cools the temps slightly lower. plus its not as expensive. if you do go the meth route make sure you get the safe injection setup, and you should be fine. i believe there is a writeup on meth as well

joeybutts

I dig the treadstone option, it's only around $260 and piping is $100, which make sit under $400 to intercool the system. That's alright by me. Should i go with the TR10?

Fobra

the intercooler offest is about being "cool" (thats a pun I know) If its not off set - its not built right, unless its a narrow core... the offest allows for the air to travel the width and hieght of the intercooler - if its straight across on a wide cooler - you got dead spots and turbulant zones - making for crappy air flow and cooling loss, sorry but ebay coolers are just not good. (now the one shown up there should be fine for about 400-500 hp) but it will really show its flaws above that - also you need to think about construction - cheapo coolers act like heatsinks (even thought a good one is to) but in a bad way - in that it will retain heat and or possiblely fail.

joeybutts

so would a treadstone TR10 be a good option?

Fobra

I got the trv 250, upon treadstones own tech advice - the tr10 is a "good unit", but the 250 is "much much better"

Triisomy21

Either one you chose will make you happy. I ordered one myself and was very please with the quality. It's a very solid piece.