Because dimension is almost last on the list of what makes a decent intercooler core. Having just a measurement tells you nothing about the number of internal channels, if the internal channels have externals on top and bottom or the plate instead, if the internal channels have turbulators, etc. The flow rating provided by each company is unlikely to be a number they got from testing. In addition, just having a flow rating doesn't tell you at what pressure drop or efficiency, and different manufacturers rate their cores with very low efficiencies, in order to appear to have massive flow, ala. 1000 HP Cores on Ebay which aren't even close to that capable.

If you want a good idea as to the core flow, from a very conservative perspective, check the Bell Intercooler site. (Warning, it will resize your window.) They have the 24x3x10 core listed as having actual flow of 406 CFM, and the 28x3.5x10.5 as 452. But see, Bell has their core flow rates from a tested 1 psi loss at 10 PSI flow. So, double flow PSI and you essentially double flow, but at increased drop across the core. Who knows what flow rate these companies you have listed are using to measure, and in essence, it doesn't matter.

Now, onto your specific dillemma, the more important number out of the three is actually, the height(10,10.5 in this case) and here is why. Lets say that the 24" long core, cools at 75% efficiency. Adding another 4"(up to 28) is not going to give you an equal improvement. In other words, if 24" = 75% adding 4" (1/6 of the original length) will not increase efficiency by 1/6. It will be exponentially smaller and smaller until there will be no amount more cooling which can occur. So the 24 is probably long enough, and the 28 isn't going to help to any degree worth squeezing it into the bumper.

The thickness, (3, 3.5) sort of uses this same principle, but at high speed becomes something that does matter. For a car you plan on running very consistently at high speeds, by all means, get a thick core. On a street car, 3" is about all the thickness the air goes through, and by the time it reaches the back, it's already hot. So 3 or 3.5, really a wash here. The only difference is flow and only by a small amount.

The height, if measured in identical core manufactures, dictates total frontal area and therefore, total cooling. It also is a measure of total internal channels, which as I said at the beginning, is very important. However, since we have no idea who makes the cores for these companies, how many channels they have per say 5", or anything else about them, this measurement is now meaningless. For all I know, the ETS has one internal.

So, Since these are both reputable companies, I would base my decision not on the technical aspects, since you can't know them, because they are never provided in reality, because there is no standard, but rather on my pocketbook. This is as most people do because almost no one actually know jack about intercoolers.

/brox

See? All those sizes and flow ratings BS...It all boils down to previous owner experience.

Ignore the statistics boys.

/brox

The 2-216 will fit without chopping up the urethane. You just gotta cut up the support. It's been done before...

Well the ETS kit comes with bolt up piping, so thats nice, and yes you do have to cut your support for either of these intercoolers. As far as I know even the EVO8 IC requires cutting. The JDM stock IC is the only one that *might not require cutting. And I cannot say for sure.
-shamus

For clarity's sake:

ETS -
Cut Bumper core support (metal crash beam) = yes
Cut urethane bumper cover (the 3 horizontal pieces of plastic that fill up the big hole between the fog lights) = no

2-216 -
Cut Bumper core support (metal crash beam) = yes
Cut urethane bumper cover = TBD; I've never in 15 years seen anyone without a JDM bumper leave the all the slats intact but Wop says it can be done and since he has one...

OK, so it seems like these intercoolers are a bit of overkill for the goals I have.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I am under the assumption that an intercooler that is too large has a few negative aspects. For one, its extra weight and space taken in the bay. Second, too big of a core will effect spool up time if the turbo isn't large enough. I don't ever plan on exceeding 450hp, but lets just say 500hp capacity to be safe.

And come to think of it, if I don't need such a large intercooler, I may be able to get away with a vertical flow intercooler with super short piping to maximize spool on a 400whp setup??

Thoughts?


edit:

click

they have a kit 2-221 which says it has end tanks on the opposite sides and they specify that its for a GVR4. It uses the 2-115 core. Why would a GVR4 use end tanks on the opposite sides, but the ones for the DSM are on the same side?

I think this is what I really like as of right now. Anyone have a max HP on this core?

/edit

Going out on a limb here... please someone with more technical knowledge confirm if my assumption is correct.

If I am going to have 2.5" pipes, it seems to me like a 3.5" thick core is too large and would create not ideal airflow going from 2.5" pipe to 3.5" core and back into a 2.5" pipe. Also, I believe the 3.5" reduces the cooling for the radiator. Based on these two thoughts, I am leaning more towards a 3" thick core.

length--- considering everyone seems to have no problems fitting a 28" long 2-216 horizontal flow core (which needs endtanks on both sides), I figure a 24" long vertical flow core should be a safe bet when it comes to length, but if this is too much, then 18" should be enough for the 450max hp power range im looking for?

height--- I think 6" should be enough, and 8" would require more modifications to the car for minimal increase in power/cooling. (thoughts?)

so as of now, im thinking 3" thick, and 6" tall. I currently have a big 16g but if I were to upgrade, I am thinking about the FP HTA DSM76.

edit: if I got a Bell core off their site, then I would be able to do something like 3x20x6.

Basically all I need is a little input on how long you think the core can be. Is a 24" long core going to fit with the pipes coming out of one side or opposite sides? I dont care about losing foglights.

How do you plan on mounting a vert. flow IC?
I'm just making sure you realize that a 6" core is going to be around 12" tall w/ the endtanks.

Quoting vapid:

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How do you plan on mounting a vert. flow IC?
I'm just making sure you realize that a 6" core is going to be around 12" tall w/ the endtanks.

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Side ways how else would you mount it