headers or intercooler???
 

So I'm thinking what should be the next bolt on mod? I'm thinking ether Rarlyl8 headers with heat or a Turbokraft intercooler, the price is sorta the same. What would the brain trust here choose first? I'm currently in Germany but will be moving to Ft Bliss (El Paso TX) this summer, would location change what you'd do first (intercooler over headers)?
Thanks for your opinions, Frank

El Paso TX? Do the IC first. I know sounds crazy coming from me but a hot environment dictates priorities in this case.

El Paso, I'd invest in A/C service 1st thing

Rarlyl8 I was thinking intercooler first, but thought I'd see what others thought, thanks
Turbo owner, I'm all over the AC thing, that's what is preventing me from doing headers and intercooler at the same time. I'm sure I need more than an AC service, I'll be using some Griffiths stuff to get better AC.
Thanks

Wow, that does sound crazy from you. I was going to say headers first. :)

For a data point, I have a full bay IC and in the 100+ degree days here in San Antonio, I'd only see about 10 degrees above ambient increase in air temps after rowing through the gears.

It would only take about 1-2 minutes post boost for the air temps to get back to ambient.

+1 on intercooler

+3 on intercooler

you need IC and headers!!!:D

Sorry Brian, but why your headers? I am not looking to draw the ire of the faithful here but don't you do single wall tubes for your headers? I need to get some clarification on the benefit of your pieces v. that of B&B, Fabspeed and the holy grail Holcombe.

IC. it's easier work and there are no studs to break off. ��

I voted IC because the fellow is going to Texas. If you don't track the car it probably doesn't matter much but heat soak is no fun on a hot day.

We've done dual walled headers and are glad to if someone wants to pay the price. Most don't. Can't compare tuned headers to generic short tube, whole different deal.

Agree with brian, heat isn't going to be fun, I'd go IC first.
Even my big Andial IC soaks on a hot day.
Re the headers, I'd love to see an indep dyno same day, same car, btb BB vs fs vs rarlyl8. If there is a difference, my bet is its minimal and not noticeable/relevant on a pure street car, jmo, no flames please.
Remember, the 935 race cars used short tube headers fwiw, can't be all bad, and there is some history of success.
When I shopped headers, I looked at all the ones mentioned, went w fs bc I have a history w them, got a nice deal, needed heat big time.
Off my soapbox.
C

This!
Been there and done that..do not want to ever go down this road again.

Broken studs are an issue. If you have rusty studs one option is to take the car to your mechanic and have him break them free and replace any that snap. Drive the car home and you'll have the new system on in no time.

Dyno work comparing mine to short tube was done long ago. Building short tube elephant nose 304 headers is easy and cheap, which is why everybody does it. Mine addressed all the issues of the short tube design. I wouldn't bother with such a complex system if it were not a huge benefit. If I needed awesome heat I'd stay with stock exchangers. Nothing can compete with the real estate inside those huge exchangers.

Thanks for all the comments. I was pretty sure the intercooler first would be the way to go. I have to pace my modifications or I could have issues with my wife ;o) I don't think headers and an intercooler at the sametime is doable. I've put a set of SSIs on the SC I used to own so I'm well aware about the stud issue, I was lucky and had no problems (using a lot of heat and PB Blaster of course). I think the AC improvements will be an easy sell after her first ride there in El Paso.
Again thanks, Frank

I'll strongly endorse the B&B IC, easy bolt on and very efficient.

Allow me to confuse the issue; this is an Internet forum after all.
Granted TX is hot and AC will be an issue. Search under my name for a one and done AC update.
However, intercooler first on otherwise stock setup? No mention of track days or extended Silver State Mile bonsai boost blasts. lets face it, in about 12 seconds you are traveling at make-the-local-news speeds in these cars. Stock intercooler can keep up without costing power for a few of those.
Whereas headers of nearly any kind can free up HP and lower boost threshold in any scenario, something you will feel every time you drive it.
The inevitable larger turbo and higher boost waste gate you will install someday will lead you to an aftermarket intercooler in time. But before then... headers.

Without good AC, driving the car would be unbearably uncomfortable at any speed on a really hot day, and I think El Paso gets a few of those.

I'd upgrade the AC first, headers second, and then the IC. AC and headers will pay you back with smiles every time you get in the car.

I disagree with most here. I think you are better off with headers and a good exhaust long before needing an intercooler. With better exhaust you will make more power at the same boost level you run now.

A new intercooler will only help when running more boost. The lower inlet temps will be negligent and since the CIS can't recognize the cooler air it can't add timing so no real power gain will be had...

Hey its a dry heat!

Don't forget that come winter, you WILL need heat in El Paso. Could be important when you do that header thing.

But hey, it is a dry cold too!!

Another mod you might want to look at for the desert is the front mounted oil cooler. I see a real difference in Florida and cooking your engine internals in heat is worse than a heat soaked IC in the long run.