As we all know there are many different sizes available for intercooler piping. From 2.5", 2.75" and 3". Your everyday kits usually come with 2.5" piping and all the bigger power kits come with 3" piping. But does size really matter when it comes to intercooler piping? Should you just go with the biggest piping you can possibly fit or will bigger piping affect a smaller system (kits making less than 500whp lets say)? Or is it best to go with the smaller 2.5" piping until you are making big power?

Basically what I am getting to is, if there is any benefit/ drawback to running 3" intercooler piping on small (from 300whp to 500whp) set ups?

 

There is a huge thread on H-T somewhere about i/c piping. Has alot to do w/volume, velocity and pressues.

In a nutshell, and for "most" setups, if you are below 600whp, 2.5 is fine. Above that, you might want to start looking into larger piping.

I made 650whp w/2.5" and I think this winter I'm going to upgrade to 3".

 

I would try to get 2.5 piping. 3" is not needed, but would still work.

 

2.5" piping should be just fine for upwards of 800 whp.

 

But do you guys think that using 3" piping would hurt performance or the spool characteristics or loose more psi on a smaller turbo set ups? If it cost me the same to get 2.5" as it would to get 3", should I just go with the 3" instead so I would not have to upgrade later (if i ever get there )...

 

Not from what I've been told by some bigger names.

They both have said that above 650whp I should roll over to 3" piping.

 

Only advice I can tell you is dont get 2.75 . I in a drunken state asked for this and I cant get clam style couplers for it to save my life

 

At least you did not get married under the same circumstances

 

since on the subject what charge pipes you guys running ?
so basiclally 2.5 is okay for 500-600rwp ?

 

Yes.

Minimize the bends and length as much as possible.