[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by frchdragon

I wouldn't be surprised that all the cheap IC are made by the same factory and rebranded, like many things in China.

But they work fine and are decent products.

There are hundreds of intercooler manufacturers in China, the odds of 2 known brands being made in the same factory is low.

Chinese factories and/or US brands tend to copy successful designs. That's why you end up with similar-looking intercoolers.

Just because two intercoolers look similar does not mean they will perform the same; you still need to check the core density, design, material, weight, fitment, and wields quality.

[SoCalM235iR]

I saw a log from the guy using the G Plus 5" stepped IC. At 85 ambient his WOT 5 gear pull IAT's went from 98F to 110F which is consistent with my results using the BMS 5" IC. I think max boost was 19 psi in that log.

My sole purpose here is to add facts when they are relevant. Having recently purchased the BMS for about $100 more than the G Plus, I was curious like everyone else.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by SoCalE90

I saw a log from the guy using the G Plus 5" stepped IC. At 85 ambient his WOT 5 gear pull IAT's went from 98F to 110F which is consistent with my results using the BMS 5" IC. I think max boost was 19 psi in that log.

My sole purpose here is to add facts when they are relevant. Having recently purchased the BMS for about $100 more than the G Plus, I was curious like everyone else.

IMO one should purchase larger than a 5'' stepped IC if they are going to go stage 2/2+ and plan to go WOT for more than 5 seconds at a time or otherwise drive the car hard.

[gameson]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

IMO one should purchase larger than a 5'' stepped IC if they are going to go stage 2/2+ and plan to go WOT for more than 5 seconds at a time or otherwise drive the car hard.

what is considered a stage 2+ ? upgraded the stock turbo?

[Info@mad-us.com]

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[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by gameson

what is considered a stage 2+ ? upgraded the stock turbo?

MHD state 2+ is the highest map with stock fuel system (IC+DP upgrade required)

BM3 stage 2 is basically MHD stage 2+ equivalent. BM3 stage 2+ requires HPFP upgrade in addition to IC+DP.

These are all stock turbo maps.

From everything i have seen (and having owned a 5'' and now race) i would say a 5'' stepped IC is fine for a casual driver that is FBO+tune, but if you are going to drive aggressively (long WOT pulls, repeated pulls without cooldown in between, or certainly autoX/track/etc) and/or if you are going to be pushing into the upper teens in boost, you want bigger. With the new options on the market and the relatively small price difference between 5'' and larger ICs it really just makes sense to get the bigger one to begin with unless you KNOW you don't need it.