With the long-awaited release of the COBB Intercooler and Redline Intake, FL5/DE5 owners have been actively celebrating the ability to harness additional safe and efficient power, both on and off the track! COBB spent years developing, refining, and validating this kit. For the nerds out there like us, we got down to the nitty-gritty with our development to ensure that we produced and manufactured the highest-performing intake and intercooler combination possible for our customers, and we’re going to take a moment to dive into why this is the best upgrade for your FL5/DE5, because at the end of the day, the proof is in the data.

Quick refresher: When a turbocharger compresses air, it heats up, which makes the air less dense. A less-dense charge of air contains fewer oxygen molecules, limiting the amount of fuel that can be combusted and therefore restricting power. The intercooler’s job is to cool this compressed air before it enters the engine. In layman’s terms, a more efficient, higher volume intake system and intercooler deliver a greater volume of cooler, denser air to the engine, which in turn allows for more power and greater efficiency.

On the FL5/DE5, while the stock intercooler is effective initially, any sustained power demand exceeds the OE component’s capacity. Referencing our comparison chart after repeated runs, it’s clear that the COBB intercooler is far more effective at this task (COBB = 97.93°F,  Stock = 138.2°F). This cooler, denser air is the foundation for the sustained performance gains.

This improved thermal efficiency directly translates to the power gains shown in our next graph. By providing the engine with more oxygen, these COBB upgrades contribute to a more complete and powerful combustion. The graph shows an apparent increase in both Peak WHP (wheel horsepower) and Peak WTQ (wheel torque) when using the COBB intercooler and intake, compared to the stock units.

Cooler temps are just part of the equation. Another key focus was on the flow and efficiency of our components. Ultimately, we aim for safe, efficient, and sustainable power growth. Examining the graph, “Amount of Vacuum at given CFM rating,” we illustrate the importance of a free-flowing intake system. A reading closer to zero indicates less restriction. A less-restrictive intake allows the turbocharger to “breathe” easier, meaning it doesn’t have to work as hard to pull in air. The graph shows that the “Garrett Core” creates notably less vacuum than the stock core across all CFM ratings. This reduced restriction lowers the workload on the turbo, preventing it from having to overspin to compensate. The result is better overall efficiency and less risk of overheating or damaging the turbo, making the upgrade a safe and durable way to enhance the vehicle’s performance.

When it comes to an OEM+ setup that you want to perform flawlessly both on and off the track, there’s no better, proven, data-backed solution than COBB’s Redline Intake and intercooler for your FL5/DE5. Get yours here: