ebay intercoolers = crap??

[nik97]

So, while browsing ebay for some silicone, bends and t-bolt clamps, I began to notice that most of the "ebay store IC's are very cheap compared to a brand name intercooler of the same dimensions. Are these just as ****** as the turbos you could likely purchase from the same ebay vendor?

Example:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FMIC...206993586QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150206993586

^ Come on, $75 bucks? It's gotta be a poorly made peice of trash that probably leaks, right?

And here's a brand name IC of similar size at more than 10X the cost.
http://www.directtuning.com/store/pc-26501-78-HKS-13001-BH001.aspx

Granted, you are paying a bit more for a name but the difference leaves questions. I'm relatively new to ebay but this just seems unreal. Anyone have any experience with ebay(store) intercoolers?

 

[strings1732]

the major difference is pressure drop. Other than that, no big difference. The name brand intercoolers advertise less pressure drop through their intercooler but the fact is, for 1/10 of the cost you get .01 psi more of a drop. Oh crap .01 psi loss from spending 1/10 of the money. I think I'll save my money and buy a boost controller to counteract that .01 psi pressure loss...........

We ran one on my friends TC and with the same setup that everyone else was running, ZPI(turbo kit Manufacturer) was wondering what we had changed cause we were getting more power out of the 7 psi than anyone else running the same kit with an add on intercooler.

I wouldn't run 20 psi out of them but running under 20 would be fine. I've personally seen them withstand 25 psi though...

 

[Power Surge]

I bought the I/C for my turbo SHO from JustIntercoolers off ebay. The quality was very nice. I have also bought $800 Procharger race coolers in the past.

The one thing about the ebay coolers, is that they use cast end tanks, which are cheaper to make. Most of the big dollar units have hand welded sheet metal ends which cost more to make and have more labor into them.

I'm sure there are core differences as well, but the core in my ebay cooler was not a POS either.

 

[Phoenix]

If you have an alu welder handy , Get one off a 10 wheeler , cut to fit- re-weld the tanks and voila. but at 75 bucks , It's kinda hard to beat...

 

[SASHO91]

Could look for a volvo IC...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volv...002QQitemZ120211042586QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
Or maybe one like this..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-0...QsspagenameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

 

[shoclown]

Some of the volvo ic have plastic tanks..dont know if it is a problem or not just saying it

 

[nik97]

Currently, I have an Audi 5000 intercooler that is a decent size with inlet/outlet on one side. I've managed to fit it behind my bumper but I'm wondering if I should just go with one of these cheap bar/plat styles...

Power Surge, can you give any details on the size of your IC? I was looking into justintercoolers as well.

 

[gmorrell]

The 4-cylinder turbo Ford crowd, of which I am an active participant, is fond of the NPR intercoolers that are found on junkyard Isuzu diesel turbo delivery trucks. The NPR units are large, flow well and can usually be had relatively inexpensively.

That said, I built a large front mount IC for my SVO Mustang with pieces-parts from Treadstone Performance. They have a nice selection of bar-and-plate cores, end tanks and other intercooler-related odds and ends. Their stuff is decently priced, tho I don't doubt that the components are made in China, but what isn't these days? The tanks and core TIG'ed together very nicely and cleanly, which means that the alloys are at least decent. Treadstone also sells on eBay. As always, YMMV...

 

[TT SHO PROJECT]

I own 2 "Ebay" intercoolers. Both are Very well made. no complaints at all. they look nice and flow like crazy. got both for about $128 a pop. i say go for it. btw for $128



the pictures speak for them selfs

 

[DVJ38]

I'm surprised you didn't spray paint it blue.

 

[kzoosho]

I have a ebay intercooler and its even holding up in the winter.

 

[nik97]

I'm surprised you didn't spray paint it blue.

LL...

 

[2L8V8_4sho]

I believe some of the Grand National crowd has done some testing on the eBay intercoolers and only had problems when they were boosting over 23 psi when the end tanks cracked.

 

[sbsho]

i have that same exact intercooler 33x12x3. im pushing 10psi through it with no boost loss

 

[TT SHO PROJECT]

I'm surprised you didn't spray paint it blue.

:laugh_ti:Lol that would just be silly dontcha think?? lol and it would be one **** of a waste of an good Ic too