Any magic in intercooler cores?

Good to see the forum is still live, even if she's a bit quiet. I've got a question about IC cores I'm just hoping to get some additional opinions on.

Years ago I bought a 2nd hand intercooler kit for my fd rx7 that has served me reasonably well (after the local fab shop made new pipes for the generous price of $3.2k, including a dump pipe of course :| ) but I can't help but think... it could be better, the intercooler is likely chinese crap afterall.

Comparing cores from the likes of garrett and something cheap (and Chinese... I know) like proflow, aeroflow etc that are 60% cheaper I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any benefits to a more expensive top brand core? To look at them I honestly can't see how either could be better as the design of the bar and plate stacks look identical, air passes through.. aluminium does it's thing and soaks up heat and external fins dissipate.. I cant see any magic!

My current IC core measures around 600x268x60mm of a tube and fin design and it would require minimal effort to weld a new core on with a full 3" width due to the end tanks being 76mm already and maybe the more common bar and plate cores would have less pressure drop and help a little where my top end power noses over.

Appreciate any input, cheers.

Hi Anders sorry for the delay mate, thats a hefty price for the work, intercooler cores are not all created equal but then the design and intention really dictates the style you for, personally I have always been a fan of the tube and fin coolers, they seem to be lighter and have a better passage of air through the fins. I have not done much research in this area but have some friends I could ask at PWR if you were still wondering.