Thread: IC question

I asked this on another thread but decided to post its own as to not hijack another thread

I am starting the parts buying for my next wave of upgrades. All air flow this round. TB, SC, IC, Hedders/complete exhaust.

Whats the best and biggest IC for our cars?

Originally Posted by kingd44

u have the shinyest car ever how the hell do u make it so shiny lmao

My car? I use a Rotary buffer and do the whole car every 6 months or so. Final waxing I use Meguiar's NXT tech wax and detail spray.

The ZZP stg 2 intercooler is a 2.25" IC. W-body store did have 3" IC but do not sell them anymore. There might be others but they either don't sell them anymore or hard to find. I think the stg 2 is the best plate around now. ZZP is working on a new IC design also.

With that being said, you can find a stg 2 plate for around $400. If you want to get the most benefits out of it, there are new FMIC to take a look at. The two that I really like that provide a lot more cooling capacity over zzp's stg 4 radiater would be something like this below. Probably one of the most overlooked features is the water temp. sender bung it has installed: Air to Water Heat Exchanger

ZZP also made a heat exchanger like this but I can't find it on their site anymore...

my thread?? lol =]

Originally Posted by GTPJOE90

my thread?? lol =]

Yeah LOL, but your thread answered a few questions I was wondering myself. I have been thinking of IC the car for a while now but wasnt sure the best route. Some $$ to make a wrong decision. From what I am hearing its a waste of $ to buy the kit from ZZP and I'm better off piecing it out.
This forum is the best for good info.

My best advice for you, is stay away from a ZZP Stage 3 IC, there discontinued for a reason ya know. The plastic insert always cracks and causes vacuum leaks. When it cracks, good ol' Zooomer won't replace it, he'll tell you that you misinstalled it and its not covered. What he won't tell you is the plastic and aluminum and different termo expansion rates which causing the issue. Moral of the story, DON'T BUY A STAGE 3.

And, i'd agree its best to piece together your own IC kit. The VW radiator are cheesey IMO, on a nice show car like yours, get the froozeboost unit hand down. The VW radiators are weak and they will look like **** after driving it around a little bit. Not worth it, I donno why people even bother buying VW radiators nowadays when there are WAY better options out there now.

As for a fill point, don't use a cheesy fill T ZZP sells, either use a nice looking Fill T from a Cobalt SS or CSR on one of the lines, or custom make a reservior which is easier said than done. I'm trying to set myself up with a reservior at this point, hope to have something clean figured out soon. If your interested in using a nice looking filler T, I have a CSR Filler T (polished alumiunm) w/ a Chrome 7psi Walker Cap, and Earls 3/4" AN barb fittings here that will be for sale soon if interested.

Next, hands down run a GM Pump. The Flojets are noisier than hell and tend to be unrealible. The GM is more expensive, but realible. I shoot for realiblity so GM is for me.

For your IC bolts, use all stainless steel hardware and for hoses use 3/4" throughout the system for max performance.

Also, use OEM or Felpro S/C gaskets, don't get the garlocks... unless you want to pull it back apart a few months later and replace leaky ass gaskets.

Theres my advice for ya. I've built 3 IC systems so far, so take my advice for what you think its worth.

Oh yeah, and I said in another thread the biggest and best IC system ever made for the L67 is the Thrasher Intercooler. It is the most expensive too.

Good Luck...

I have the ZZP stage 2. Nice unit, but it does heat soak bad. I have been planning on getting a 1/4" or 3/8" sheet of garolite G11 and cut a spacer between the core and LIM.

I have the frozen boost FMHE. Nice unit, and keeps the temps right at outside air temp.

For easiest filling, have two open points in the lines. I put a 1" T-fill up front, and the Cobalt reservoir on the return. I also just bought this coolant tank at Wal-Mart for $7, and fitted it with 3/4" barbs to use as an inline icebox.

Cool, keep us posted!!