Hi everyone,

thinking of doing an intercooler upgrade and didn't want to hijack someone else's thread.

I have considered the 996 X50 intercoolers, which I'm told are larger than the TTs but am not sure about the differences/advantages of aftermarket products?

Is the performance of the aftermarket products much greater than the X50 ICs? perhaps an advantage in weight, etc...?

Any input would be appreciated.

 

Yes, tons of threads about this honestly. 997gtrs, the SRM pieces, Marski, EVOMS, and others. I'm running thick SRM pieces, 14lbs, and while I've not beat on them as much as I'd like I see some damn nice temps out of them. I hope to instrument them better in the future and log. ALL of these are better than X50.

 

^ What he said. I currently have ETS I haven't installed, if I didn't, I would go with SRM intercoolers. I may have my X50 intercoolers for sale if you are interested.

 

+1 for SRM. you won't be disappointed.

 

We have been doing 3.5s and 4.5" ICs on the 996tt since 2004 when we did 870 whp on my car. Have lots of experience doing 60 to 130s and 1/4 mile runs to prove it... proven on the black pavement results. Made in house from scratch with full cnc parts and Quality Bell cores( 2 options to choose from ). Be aware of cheap imitations. Most guys usually go from stock oem to one upgrade. thast the only experience they have. I've personally seen just about all the AM ics on the market, fixed some, and tuned a many on cars. The good stuff is far and few in between. Choose wisely...
good luck,
markski

 

Save some money buddy wagner intercoolers will be more than satisfactory

 

Appreciate all the input everyone. Not sure where I'm going to go with this car yet so your shared personal experience is really helpful.

 

x50's are a waste of the effort to install, there are lots of good recommendations above.

for hoses if your going to do stock replacement intercoolers the forged hoses are pretty cost effective. and i would think about some billet diverter valves and new f hose. while your at it. another good pairing is larger inlet hoses to the turbos.

 

Thanks OS.

 

Dont't forget, the Forge hose kit comes with the F hose.

 

Installed the Forge boost hose kit that I bought off a Rennlist member already. I was surprised at how good the OEM hoses still looked since it is a 12 year old car.

 

Any changes after the replacement?

 

I have stock sized coolers from Fearnsport with all stock ducting and my car runs cooler than my mates with 4.5 coolers and no ducting !!! IMO if you donrt seal them and duct them like stock you are wasting your time.

 

Ducting is important IMO but I've seen numbers from folks without ducts running 4.5 that were way better than sock coolers. Stock SIZED coolers are easiest to install for sure but once you've done the initial install the 4.5 work well. Hard to go too big with an intercooler

 

I would disagree as the data we looked at is from 2 similar cars with the same ECU's measuring temp at the same place the real difference comes with a water meth kit, thats what the data from a similar car with ther Syvecs logging says.