I have a mostly stock 87GN that i am in the process of getting in the mid-low 12's, but i am still using the stock intercooler. Could someone please tell me what works the best for them, or who makes the best front mount intercooler on the market? Thanks in advance!
Bill
As you are not yet pushing the limits of the stock intercooler, None of the aftermarket ones will probably make much difference for the money.
People push low 12s routinely with stock turbo, injectors, and ic.
Once in this range, a stock intercooler with the big inlet tube mod will often give another couple of tenths.
A stock location aftermarket intercooler such as the V4 from www.chargedair or a stretched stock intercooler using 1 1/2 cores welded together may offer maybe four tenths and be good down into the tens.
AS far as front mounts go, on a good breathing engine, there may be another two tenths IF you have the engine that can use it...and this is down in the tens or better. Front mounts can bring cooling problems and drivability can suffer due to compressor surge or slam. The best front mount? Depends upon whom you ask. PTE and ChargedAir probably make the best ones. ChargedAir offers the most variety with options for different requirements. PTE makes one for all, unless they have recently changed, and it works very well. Which one tests the best...depends upon which day and who runs the test, I think.
I would advise not rushing in to buy anything as of yet-consider than one can run in the 11s with a TA49/TE44 turbo and matching injectors with the stock IC.
There are no magic parts for these cars no matter what the ads say..it is all combination.
I completely agree with Steve. In my experience, I've been able to run the stock intercooler into the 11s without much effort. Though an upgraded neck and upgraded/stretched core definitely make a difference, they shouldn't be necessary for mid/low 12s. See the 'recipies' on the tech pages for more info on solid, proven combinations.