Intercooler Size Calculator
Enter the power you are aiming for, the core thickness and how the car is used. The calculator suggests the intercooler core volume, a core size, the airflow and the charge pipe diameter.
- Core volume
- Core size
- Charge pipe
Use the power you are aiming for, not the stock power.
Street cars need about 1.3 cu in of core per horsepower. A 400 hp street car wants about 520 cu in of core. With a 3 in thick core that is about 173 sq in of face, roughly 20 × 9 × 3 in, with 2.5 in charge pipes.
Intercooler size chart
Street use, 3 in core. Search for power.
| Power (hp) | Core (cu in) | Face (sq in) | Pipe (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 260 | 87 | 2.25 |
| 250 | 325 | 108 | 2.25 |
| 300 | 390 | 130 | 2.25 |
| 350 | 455 | 152 | 2.5 |
| 400 | 520 | 173 | 2.5 |
| 500 | 650 | 217 | 3 |
| 600 | 780 | 260 | 3 |
| 700 | 910 | 303 | 3.5 |
| 800 | 1040 | 347 | 3.5 |
| 1000 | 1300 | 433 | 3.5 |
Cubic inches.
Power and core
Street use. Slide the power.
The core and pipes grow with power.
How to size an intercooler
Power to core. Step through it.
Power
Target hp.
Keep the pipe run short and smooth to cut lag.
Bar and plate or tube and fin
Core types. Compare them.
Tough.
Light.
Compact.
Bar and plate cores are tougher. Tube and fin cores flow more air for their weight.
Before you buy
Fitment checks. Tick each item.
Tick each item as you go.
Pressure test the system after fitting to find leaks.
What you get
Core sizing. Each tile explains one result.
Cubic inches.
Square inches.
lb/min.
Inches.
Street or track.
A bigger face cools better than a thicker core.
Frequently Asked Questions
No question matches that search.
What size intercooler do I need?
About one point three cubic inches of core for each horsepower on the street.
What size intercooler for four hundred horsepower?
About five hundred and twenty cubic inches, roughly twenty by nine by three inches.
Is a thicker intercooler better?
A wider face usually cools better than extra thickness.
Can an intercooler be too big?
Yes. Too much volume and long pipes add lag.
What size charge pipes should I use?
Two and a half inches up to about four hundred and fifty horsepower.
How much airflow does an engine use?
About one pound a minute for every ten horsepower.
Is air to water better than air to air?
It cools well in short bursts and fits tight bays, but adds a pump and tank.
Cool charge, steady power
Match the core to your power and your intake air stays cool, run after run.
More size calculators
Each one has its own calculator, worked examples and answers to common questions.