Intercooler Kit

Why Upgrade Your Intercooler Kit? ( Intercooler + Intercooler Pipe )

In turbocharged or supercharged engines, intake air temperature control is crucial to performance. Factory-installed intercoolers often fall short under high-load or high-heat conditions, leading to increased intake temps, reduced power, and engine knock. That’s where a high-performance intercooler kit comes in—especially one that includes both intercooler and piping upgrades.

SPELAB’s intercooler piping kit includes not just a high-efficiency intercooler, but also large-diameter intercooler piping, reinforced intercooler hose couplers, and heavy-duty clamps to ensure optimized flow and pressure resistance.

As a key component of the vehicle's intake system, the intercooler kit works in tandem with the turbocharger and air intake to ensure cooler, denser air enters the combustion chamber. By upgrading the intake system with a SPELAB intercooler kit, users can expect improved airflow dynamics, more efficient combustion, and greater overall engine responsiveness.

For example, a 2015 Ford F-250 Super Duty 6.7L Powerstroke equipped with the full intercooler and piping kit saw intake temps drop by about 18%, torque increase by 40 lb-ft, and reduced turbo lag—all contributing to smoother, more responsive power delivery.

With better heat dissipation and improved airflow, SPELAB intercoolers help maintain engine health and unlock hidden performance.

Intercooler Piping Design: Why Material & Diameter Matter

While the intercooler itself gets most of the spotlight, your intercooler piping plays an equally critical role in airflow efficiency. SPELAB’s intercooler piping kits are built with performance in mind, using mandrel-bent aluminum or stainless steel pipes paired with high-temperature intercooler hose couplers.

With enlarged diameters and smooth inner surfaces, these pipes reduce air turbulence and backpressure, allowing turbo boost to hit faster and harder. Reinforced T-bolt clamps and high-strength silicone hoses ensure leak-free, high-boost operation—up to 40 psi—making them ideal for heavily modified builds.

For instance, a 2017 RAM 2500 6.7L Cummins benefits greatly from this upgrade. The stock piping may swell or leak under prolonged load, but after installing SPELAB’s intercooler piping kit, the truck delivers steadier boost pressure, improved torque curves, and more confident high-speed performance.

So when upgrading your intercooler kit, don’t overlook the power of the piping—it’s the connection that makes the cooling system whole.

Race Intercooler && Intercooler Pipe :

Why Intercooler Hoses Matter: Boost Sealing and Pressure Resistance

In any intercooler piping kit, the intercooler hose is what keeps the entire system sealed and efficient. SPELAB’s high-grade silicone hoses are multi-layered and built to withstand extreme conditions—heat, pressure, and chemical exposure—making them ideal for performance and heavy-duty diesel applications.

Unlike stock rubber hoses, SPELAB intercooler hoses can handle temperatures over 200°C and boost pressures exceeding 40 psi without swelling, cracking, or leaking. Combined with stainless steel T-bolt clamps, these hoses provide a rock-solid seal under stress—reducing boost loss and improving turbo response.

Take the 2013 Ford F-350 6.7L Powerstroke as an example. OEM hoses often burst or leak under heavy towing or uphill load. Upgrading to SPELAB’s intercooler kit with reinforced hoses improves reliability, turbo consistency, and throttle smoothness even in extreme conditions.

Together, intercooler piping and intercooler hoses create a seamless, high-performance airflow path—critical for any turbocharged setup.

Bar-and-Plate vs Tube-and-Fin: Choosing the Right Intercooler for Your Build

When selecting an intercooler, the internal structure matters just as much as fitment. The two main types—Bar-and-Plate and Tube-and-Fin—offer different benefits, and SPELAB provides both options depending on your vehicle’s needs.

• Bar-and-Plate Intercoolers: Built with welded aluminum bars and plates, these units offer superior pressure tolerance and thermal mass. They're ideal for high-boost, high-heat applications, such as heavy towing or big turbo builds—like the 2020 RAM 3500 6.7L Cummins. While heavier and slightly less efficient in airflow, their durability makes them perfect for diesel trucks and drag builds.

• Tube-and-Fin Intercoolers: Lightweight and highly efficient in dissipating heat, these are better suited for street performance and daily-driven turbo cars like the Subaru WRX STI or Mustang EcoBoost. They allow for faster turbo spool and better transient response, especially with front-mounted setups.

SPELAB’s intercooler kits are designed to match each core type with the right intercooler piping, brackets, and hoses, ensuring optimal fit and function.

Choose Bar-and-Plate for extreme durability and boost holding, or Tube-and-Fin for lightweight, responsive performance.

Intercooler Kit Gains for Cummins, Powerstroke & Duramax Engines

SPELAB’s intercooler kits are built with direct-fit compatibility for top diesel platforms and have been dyno and road-tested to prove their performance. Whether you drive a RAM Cummins, Ford Powerstroke, or Chevy Duramax, SPELAB delivers noticeable improvements in airflow, cooling, and torque response.

• For a 2019 RAM 2500 6.7L Cummins, upgrading to a bar-and-plate intercooler with full intercooler piping kit dropped intake air temps by 22% under load and reduced turbo lag by nearly 30%, improving throttle linearity.

• A 2017 Ford F-350 6.7L Powerstroke saw more consistent boost pressure and improved towing capacity after upgrading to a full SPELAB intercooler setup. During extended climbs, engine temperatures remained lower, avoiding heat soak or performance drop-off.

• A 2016 Silverado 2500HD 6.6L Duramax gained 12HP and 20 lb-ft of torque on the dyno after switching to a SPELAB intercooler and piping kit, highlighting the airflow and pressure gains from the system.

These real-world results prove that upgrading your intercooler kit isn’t just about numbers—it’s about durability, responsiveness, and maximizing your diesel engine’s potential.

Easy to Install: SPELAB Intercooler Kits Are DIY-Friendly

SPELAB designs every intercooler kit with ease of installation in mind—perfect for DIYers or first-time performance modders. Each intercooler piping kit and intercooler hose is pre-bent, pre-fitted, and uses bolt-on clamps and couplers for minimal cutting or welding.

Whether you’re upgrading a 2021 Ford F-250 6.7L Powerstroke or tuning a Subaru WRX STI 2.0T, you’ll find that SPELAB kits include step-by-step instructions, labeled couplers, and detailed install videos to guide you. Most customers complete the intercooler and piping kit installation in under 5 hours using basic tools—no fabrication required.

For select platforms like Duramax L5P, SPELAB even offers model-specific brackets and silicone hose adapters, ensuring a clean, factory-style fitment.

Whether your goal is more performance or better reliability, SPELAB makes sure upgrading your intercoolers is stress-free from start to finish.

Smarter Upgrades: Pair Your Intercooler Kit with Other SPELAB Mods

While a standalone intercooler kit boosts cooling and airflow, pairing it with other performance upgrades from SPELAB creates a synergistic effect that unlocks your engine’s full potential. Popular combinations include EGR Delete Kits, DPF Delete Pipes, CCV Reroute Systems, and Cold Air Intakes.

• Intercooler piping kit + Cold Air Intake: Increases both air volume and cooling efficiency—ideal for turbocharged gas or diesel engines, improving throttle response and reducing turbo lag.

• Intercooler and piping + EGR Delete: Reduces hot exhaust gas recirculation, preventing carbon build-up and prolonging engine life—especially beneficial for trucks like the 2016 RAM 2500 6.7L Cummins.

• Intercooler hose + CCV System Upgrade: Prevents oil vapor contamination of intake air, protecting your intercoolers and keeping airflow clean and efficient.

Together, these components turn your vehicle into a powerfully upgraded machine—with more horsepower, smoother operation, and enhanced long-term reliability. SPELAB makes it easy to start with intercooler kits and build out a full performance system from there.

In addition to the intercooler kit, spelab also includes egr delete kit, dpf delete pipe, ccv reroute, radiator, valve cover, etc.

Why Choose SPELAB Intercooler Kits: Brand Benefits & Full Customer Support

SPELAB is a trusted name in performance parts, known for combining engineering precision with excellent user experience. Whether it’s the airflow design of the intercooler kit, the fitment accuracy of intercooler piping, or the durability of intercooler hose connections—everything is tested, refined, and validated in real-world applications.

Here’s what you get with SPELAB intercoolers:

• Fast Fulfillment: U.S.-based warehouse with 72-hour shipping

• Complete Instructions: Every kit includes manuals and often video walkthroughs for popular platforms

• 24/7 Customer Support: Installation help, fitment guidance, and product recommendations always available

• Hassle-Free Returns: 30-day return policy for fitment or quality issues

FAQ

Q1: Are SPELAB intercooler kits suitable for daily driving?
A1: Absolutely. Especially the Tube-and-Fin intercoolers—they enhance power and response without compromising MPG or comfort.

Q2: Will I need to cut my stock piping for installation?
A2: Most SPELAB intercooler piping kits are designed as bolt-on replacements with no cutting or welding required.

Q3: How do I know which intercooler and piping kit fits my vehicle?
A3: Use SPELAB’s year/make/model filters on the product page, or contact our team directly for personalized fitment help.