Asking for input from those with a GH intercooler

Hey Guys,

Sorry if this has been hashed out before. Long story short, I'm expecting my annual bonus next paycheck and plan on pulling the trigger on a GH intercooler within the next two weeks. Before I commit to dropping $800, I was hoping I could trouble those of you that already have one for your impressions on it.

I know Matt makes/offers great stuff so Im not worried about it from a quality aspect, more about what you saw as far as intake temperature drops from the GH unit vs OEM and or horsepower gains (even butt dyno).

I know there's dyno figures on Matt's website, but it's nice to get some "real world" confirmation.

Finally, I've seen some FMIC stuff floating around, is there other stuff I should at least be considering?

Thanks in advance.

 

Subbed for some info myself! Hope you don’t mind...

 

The GH intercooler is the one to have. Temperature stay within 20 degrees of ambient when going through a pull instead of increasing upwards of 80 degrees over ambient like the stock one does.

Also decreases the amount of time to become unheat soaked. So heat soak is going to be the same when sitting in place as the iat2 is on the map sensor which is on the aluminum intake manifold in the valley of the engine, however the intercooler gets to work when you start moving. Definitely one of the top modifications I'd do. Oem fitment that plays well in factory location. No trimming etc etc. Worth it.

 

Mine was installed in September I believe, so we were still in high 90’s. As Jordan said the temps stayed with 20 of ambient unless sitting at a light. But even then, the moment you begin to accelerate they drop.

 

Real world numbers from the drag strip, my IAT2 temps would get to 155 degrees by end of the 1/4 mile on a 50 degree day with stock intercooler.

With Gearhead intercooler on a 90 degree day they'd be around 155 at start of a run and be down to 115-120 at end of run.

It helped me run more consistent times no matter what the outside temps were.

 

My seat-o-the pants:
Installed mine to deal with summer heat. Seems to lag ever so slightly on the low end but pull harder up in the revs. Also seems stronger on the highway regardless of the season. Gas mileage seems slightly better.
Would definitely recommend.
Shoblock

 

As someone with a fmic set up, from the data I've seen the GH and FMIC styles are comparable in performance and price depending on which ic you buy. The fmic is a bit more work to install and has a little more protection from heat soak being up front which is nice. However, both will inevitably heat soak regardless of which way you go. If you're not looking to make a big mess of things, not super handy or confident in cutting up your car a bit go with the GH drop in and make your life easy!

Side note, even running what I run for an IC I'm still looking for ways to make it better. I have a vertical flow ic I'm looking to install in the spring and see what I can gain from that. The GHIC has more information available where as the fmic style is still new and there is still some trial and error testing going on to find the perfect setup.

Would rather be honest instead of blow smoke and steer you in the wrong direction.

 

Get the Gearhead Intercooler. When I spray methanol, I can get AIT2 down below ambient, even in summer heat. When not spraying methanol, I can get close to ambient. Plus it's a cleaner look after install.

 

Thanks for the input guys, looks like GHIC is definitely the way to go for me.

 

^^^ This
I can get 15* below ambient at the end of the 1/4 when spraying meth. Just for cooling not dependent.

 

its a good one.

 

I like the GH IC, sometimes I think I should have kept it. But I also enjoyed doing the FMIC as a project. When I put safety goggles on and start up my cut off wheel....turn towards my car....my heart flutters.

 

Ordered This Morning, shipped this afternoon, that's some good shit! Not happy about the shipping costs but that not Gearheads fault, it is what it is. Now I just gotta find a good shop near me to toss it in.

 

I was all set to pay the cost of the IC, when that shipping was added on though, it definitely stung. Still got it though lol

 

Anyone have a picture of the intercooler fully installed. I’m curious as to how it looks and if you can see the logo (I’m hoping you can’t)

 

The intercooler sits behind the radiator so you can't see it at all from the front.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

Well that makes sense thanks for clearing that confusion up for me.

 

AC condenser covers the IC so no cool skull unfortunately =(

 

Well do we actually need ac? Lol

 

Got the Intercooler in the mail last Saturday. Again, I just want to shout out to @mattr66 and gearhead for the quick shipping, item was well packaged also. After talking to a friend of mine, gonna skip the shop and put it in ourselves once Michigan warms up a bit.