J's Racing Hyper Intercooler

[blueroadster]

Thanks for the writeup! Are you seeing any significant difference in IAT's?

Yes, but I think a better way to objectively qualify the difference would be with data logs (can't do that just yet) under various load and outdoor temperature conditions. The most notable observation thus far is that IATs drop really fast the more that the car is under load. I am very happy with that and other observations.

If I had to decide today on a replacement intercooler, I would still go with the J's Racing one. The design of the core is unique and is reflected in the price point. There are several other great intercoolers in the list where I think selection depends on individual preference, use case and price points.

For reference, BHJ currently lists (not including shipping and customs charges):

• J's Racing Hyper Intercooler: $1,667.00
• HKS R Type Intercooler: $707.00
• HKS R Type Piping Kit: $602.00
• HKS R Type Intercooler and Piping Kit: $1,230.00

With that said, I decided to pass on ordering the HPS intercooler pipes as they are on a 2-3 month backorder. @hoping2Get1 mentioned the HKS piping kit so I researched and ordered after getting bit by another mod bug.

In total, I spent $2,269.00 on the J's Racing intercooler and HKS piping kit. Simply going with the HKS R Type Intercooler and Piping Kit would have saved a grand though. HKS has also published a lot of information to help one review and decide if their setup is right for them. That said, I am glad that there are various intercooler options available for one to consider which would be best for them.

Sponsored

 

[blueroadster]

FYSA...Looks like TSP started working on a page for the same HKS R Type Intercooler and Piping Kit (13001-AH007) listed for $1,530.00 (sweet deal to buy from a US-based vendor and forum sponsor):

https://www.twostepperformance.com/products/hks-honda-civic-type-r-full-intercooler-kit-fl5

 

[jtlctr]

FYSA...Looks like TSP started working on a page for the same HKS R Type Intercooler and Piping Kit (13001-AH007) listed for $1,530.00 (sweet deal to buy from a US-based vendor and forum sponsor):

https://www.twostepperformance.com/products/hks-honda-civic-type-r-full-intercooler-kit-fl5

Good info, thanks!

 

[blueroadster]

Good info, thanks!

Anytime...Regarding upgrades, there are so many different directions to consider. I am doing baby steps along my path without trying to pay attention to costs along the way for specific functional parts. The stock FL5 is awesome in its current form. Any modifications from there IMHO need to be based on individual research, goals and where you want to take things.

Regardless, the Hondata FlashPro along with a tune should be a first start. Second focus for me was the intercooler followed by a downpipe and everything seems to have snowballed from there.

 

[jtlctr]

Anytime...Regarding upgrades, there are so many different directions to consider. I am doing baby steps along my path without trying to pay attention to costs along the way for specific functional parts. The stock FL5 is awesome in its current form. Any modifications from there IMHO need to be based on individual research, goals and where you want to take things.

Regardless, the Hondata FlashPro along with a tune should be a first start. Second focus for me was the intercooler followed by a downpipe and everything seems to have snowballed from there.

I'm on basically the same path at the moment. TSP downpipe, PRL intake, and Jester’s basemap awaiting installation once my car comes out of storage. I’m looking into intercoolers now because I remember how high IAT would get last summer. It seemed like anytime ambient temperatures were 75+, the intake temp would hit around 50 degrees above ambient after the first spirited pull and stay there. Even driving at 60mph, opening the throttle would bring temps down a few degrees, but they crept right back up at cruising throttle position.

 

[Tougefl5]

FYSA...Looks like TSP started working on a page for the same HKS R Type Intercooler and Piping Kit (13001-AH007) listed for $1,530.00 (sweet deal to buy from a US-based vendor and forum sponsor):

https://www.twostepperformance.com/products/hks-honda-civic-type-r-full-intercooler-kit-fl5

US based or not there not going to stock it. Just drop ship from a 3rd party. So you are still on the hook and won't know when or if you will get it.

 

[SKINNIE]

$1453.50 on Evasive's site

https://www.evasivemotorsports.com/...DxE1NfyCPJVnlYWOx6u6ItPPitqadAgnkhsIxMkRZGgT1

 

[blueroadster]

I'm on basically the same path at the moment. TSP downpipe, PRL intake, and Jester’s basemap awaiting installation once my car comes out of storage. I’m looking into intercoolers now because I remember how high IAT would get last summer. It seemed like anytime ambient temperatures were 75+, the intake temp would hit around 50 degrees above ambient after the first spirited pull and stay there. Even driving at 60mph, opening the throttle would bring temps down a few degrees, but they crept right back up at cruising throttle position.

Yeah, I had similar experiences last Summer. My primary concern was noticing that the stock intercooler seemed to really struggle shedding heat. That became even more obvious when stuck in a traffic jam in 100 degree temps last Summer. The radiator fan kept kicking on to lower coolant temperatures but really struggled with the lack of airflow and a heat soaked intercooler.

The above experience was why I wanted go with an intercooler that I believed had the best design to offer regardless of price point. I ruled out B&P intercoolers since airflow through the core is often more restrictive than T&F. They also weigh more where the additional thermal mass would take much longer to cool down once heat soaked putting more thermal strain on the radiator.

That said, T&F was the intercooler selection of choice for me. I also prefer vendors that offer complementary solutions designed to work together. The only vendors that I am aware of that sell intercoolers and radiators designed to work together is PWR and J's Racing.

The PWR and J's Racing intercoolers have similar price points and overall weight. The PWR intercooler in the US is advertised as being "engineered with F1 bar and plate core technology with turbulated tubes." I don't really know what that means. The J's Racing intercooler was more appealing to me as it has a unique T&F core design (reference "Core Design Details" link in the first post).

Other than upgrading the intercooler, the WOT Performance HPT Cooling Plate should also be a no brainer. I am interested to see how well those two additions work together in the Summer heat.

 

[blueroadster]

Additional observation...Temps in my area for the last few days have been in the 50-60's. With the car fully warmed up, IATs when driving on the highway at a consistent speed are showing an average 15 degrees over ambient (10 degrees over ambient when on the gas a little going up a slight grade and 20 degrees over ambient when off the gas and going down a slight grade).

The largest difference noted thus far is when sitting at a traffic light where IATs obviously increase a lot the longer you sit. Once moving, the IATs drop fast the more the car moves and you are on the gas. Significant improvement over the stock intercooler in that situation. Observations in the coolant department will need to wait until temps warm.

Current mods: GruppeM intake, Eventuri turbo inlet, Cusco brake cooling baffle plates, J's Racing intercooler, and WOT Performance HPT cooling plate.

Pending mods: TSP downpipe (Swaintech coated), Hondata FlashPro, Hondata CANFlex, MDR coolant expansion tank.

 

[blueroadster]

US based or not there not going to stock it. Just drop ship from a 3rd party. So you are still on the hook and won't know when or if you will get it.

That would suck if that is the case. I've had to cancel several orders from different US vendors where they claim an item is in stock only to get an email afterwards mentioning that I will have to wait several months.

 

[Tougefl5]

That would suck if that is the case. I've had to cancel several orders from different US vendors where they claim an item is in stock only to get an email afterwards mentioning that I will have to wait several months.

Pretty much the only products vendors stock is PRL. Probably because they get a lot of credit from them. Everything else is from places like turn 14 and IND distribution. In the year that I've been building my car. Everything came from the same 3 places of origin. All from different vendors however they came from the same places. Almost 30k in parts and not one actually came from where the vendors were based out of.

 

[jtlctr]

"engineered with F1 bar and plate core technology with turbulated tubes."

Probably a ripoff of this technology:

 

[blueroadster]

Pretty much the only products vendors stock is PRL. Probably because they get a lot of credit from them. Everything else is from places like turn 14 and IND distribution. In the year that I've been building my car. Everything came from the same 3 places of origin. All from different vendors however they came from the same places. Almost 30k in parts and not one actually came from where the vendors were based out of.

Such a shame. It boggles my mind why most manufacturing moved offshore while many local machine shops still have the tooling to produce. Production costs were reduced by offshoring, prices remained the same, and companies reaped the profits. Local machine shops then no longer produce even though they have the tooling and capacity in place.

For example, looking to buy intercooler pipes from various vendors seems nuts. Every vendor that I contacted regarding the HPS pipes for example informed me of a 3-4 month wait. I interpret that as, a Chinese vendor is used where I have to wait for a vendor's bulk order and ship to arrive at port. I would hope that most would not want to wait for such common items where a local shop could be used that already has a mandrel tubing bender and CNC machine.

 

[blueroadster]

Probably a ripoff of this technology:

Bwahaha

 

[blueroadster]

FYSA, @simpleisbest posted this informative thread detailing SCCA Solo Street Touring Rules including a PIC of the PWR intercooler:

The J's Racing and HKS intercoolers sit further forward and require minor trimming to the temp sensor mount which is not allowed by the ST rules.

Sponsored