Buellwinkle

Here's a new intercooler that we installed today. Unfortunately because of the heavy rains and cool weather I haven't been able to push the limits of the intercooler.

Buellwinkle

It bolts up nicely using existing bolts and doesn't rub up against anything, nice fit all the way around.

Matt230K

How come this is the first time we are hearing about this? If everything goes well, any idea how much they will sell for??

Buellwinkle

Racetec told me the target price is expected to be about $650-$700. I did mention the word "Group Buy" and he said that depending on how many are in the group would determine the price. Currently Racetec intercoolers are a premier intercooler for Audis.

SiLvaC32

wow.... looks good!

QC1

I would be interested in a group buy, let us know Buel

nukblazi

So what are the differences between this one and the Renntech?

Buellwinkle

First off it's $300-350 less expensive but that wouldn't have mattered to me that much. It's smaller, only about 60% larger than stock vs. Rennech's 125% larger than stock. The core is made in Germany and is supposed to be one of the best flowing cores out there. The end tanks are welded on the sides instead of the corners where the highest pressure is and only requires 2 welds instead of 4. All the sides in the end tank are angled towards the piping which is mandrel bent and a smooth curve vs. having 3 sides square and 1 angles like a wedge with a pipe coming out the side instead of the end. Last but not least, installation is a little easier because it uses existing mount points instead of having to drill holes in your car.

The goal is to provide ample cooling, reduce pressure loss and airflow turbulance. Not that the Renntech/Spearco unit is bad, I just feel this design is better. Of course I won't know for sure until I do some testing, it's just the streets are a little flooded right now, yes I know, it never rains in California.

Matt230K

Sounds like a pretty good intercooler despite the smaller size. I can't believe that it fits so much better and probably flows better than the Renntech. And they call themselves an MB tuner. For the prices that they charge, they could have at least done a little more work on it.

Renntech builds an intercooler strictly for this car, but yet you have to drill new holes to mount it. But yet this aftermarket many-brand tuner can make one that fits perfect. Way to go Renntech.

czachari

Also, will they make one for the 1.8L?
I may be interested in a group buy.

cz

Buellwinkle

A more efficient IC doesn't give you gains when cold but prevents you from losing power when the factory IC would have gotten heatsoaked. For example, on a sunny 75F degree day intake air temp (IAT) with the factory IC after just one 0-80 run from cold heats up the IC to about 118F, keep doing it and it will heat up to 156F after about 2-3 runs and you'll lose 10-15 HP, with the Racetec, it maxed out at about 118F after four back to back 0-80 runs preventing this loss. This is because of 2 reasons, 1) cooler air is denser and has more oxygen, 2) the IAT sensor is used by the ECU to determine timing. the hotter it reads the more it wants to retard timing to prevent pinging (actually on some cars people put resistors on the IAT sensor to trick it into believing it's cooler than it is so it can advance timing).

The 1.8L coupe uses the same IC as the 2.3L, same installation. The sedan may require a different mount point but I'm sure they can make the necessary brackets if someone wanted it for a sedan.

Outland

Given the much higher boost of the 1.8, a larger intercooler should show some HP gain even when cool.

adamrs80

Does Racetech have a website? Do we know an exact price yet?

Buellwinkle

Sorry, I don't have more info. Write to the owner, Russ at gshock@charter.net and see when he'll be ready. I think he was waiting on custom couplers to be made. It's a strange coupler on our cars because it's 2 3/4" on the outside diameter and about a 2" inside diameter because it's double walled but only on the coupling, not the entire pipe. They used to have a website but they mainly sell through dealers that have websites. He does have some other really interesting intercoolers that flow top to bottom in a Z shape up and down from start to end. He didn't think that design would work in our cars because it's designed for higher boost applications.

tberry

Thanks Buell, I know its not cheap but any new dyno#s? I'm pretty much gonna get it (gotta get rid of the Renntech spoiler first ) Where did you get your ITG filter by the....didnt realize it made that difference and figure what the heck....summer is coming in TX and aint gonna be pretty

Buellwinkle

Call Josh MacMurray at 801 886-2185. They have a website, just don't remember it now. I think it was about $60 and takes about 2-3 weeks to get to you from the UK as they are made to order.

QC1

I contacted Evosports for the ITG filter and they said that the ITG filter actually loses HP. I thought to believe him because its not often you hear someone whos selling claiming that the product is not that good

Outland

Unless of course its not a product that they sell.

Unusual that a free flowing air cleaner would cause a power loss.

Buellwinkle

They do one test on a totally different car, the C32 and find it loses power, what can I say. I also tried buying from them to support the forum, first they said one month and then they told me what they told you. I went to their shop and showed me the airbox with the K&N from a C32 and yes, it does seem to block a large portion of the inlet hole. I called every possible dealer in the country that ITG in the UK led me to, actually they recommended Evosport in the first place. The dealer above, a BMW tuning shop told me that they would get them and actually stocked them for a while and they still might or you'll have to wait for them to come from the UK.

I did a dyno on a totally stock C230 and got 1 HP and on a pulleyed car I got 3+ HP at the wheels consistantly on 2 different cars. I got about 5-6HP with no filter but that won't make for happy engine. So for me the gain is there and usable. The K&N also pulls in 3 HP on a pulleyed car and I owned both but gave away the K&N, just believe in the ITG a little more but both will give you gains and I'm sure both are good lifetime filters. What was surprising is the gain came across the rev range, not just at high RPM like I was expecting.