Paxton 1999 Cobra Intercooler

July 21, 2001 we dropped the car off with Paxton to have new exhaust installed. One of our cat's was going out and it was recommended to replace the exhaust. In talking with Paxton we were informed they had just completed their intercooler for the 96 to 01 GT and Cobra. They had a 00 GT with one installed in the shop, so I got to take a look at it. It looked very High Tech. The quality was just oozing, once one was pulled out of the box. If that wasn't enough, now came the reason why we should have one. With the type of racing we do, an intercooler will keep a more consistent power band. As you know, heat robs power. As the car runs hotter, timing is pulled and fuel is added to prevent pinging or denotation. With the intercooler Paxton can tune the car with much closer tolerances then without and intercooler. I was told not to plan on any additional horsepower. Just a better running car. But I knew Paxton wasn't going to disappointed me. With the addition of a Bassani X-Pipe and Cat Back exhaust. I'm sure they find some extra HP.

Before

After

If you notice the Supercharger outlet has been repositioned down to the intercooler. Here is a picture of what it looked like before it was intercooled.

One thing that happens when you add an intercooler is you loose boost. In our case about a 1.3lb. To make up the lost boost Paxton installed a new pulley to make up for it. Right now it makes about 10.3 lbs of max boost. Another addition installed was a baffle. Similar to a waste gate. I noticed I heard it when accelerating hard and when you shift. You'll hear an air flutter sound which is all the boost air being releasing back into the front of the supercharger. Talk about recycling.

On our way back from Paxton we had a 6-hour drive to get home. Our last stop, 3 blocks from home was Chevron. While sitting there I thought I wonder how hot the supercharger is. I got out and lifted the hood. I first felt the supercharger and it was HOT.. Then felt the unpolished tube and it felt warm. Warm to touch and hold as long as you want. Then I felt the polished tube going into the manifold and it was cold. Like 60 degrees cold.. Perfect!! Ohh, and I'll add we got 22 mpg on the way home cruising 80 mph plus most of the way. Not bad for a 441 rwhp car. If you are confused from my dyno page which shows 468 rwhp. I had the car retuned in May because I did not like the way the power came on. It was set up for more of a drag racer rather than a road racing. The car was detuned to 410rwhp. So a 31hp increase is not bad for adding an intercooler and complete exhaust. Especially seeing it feels the fastest it’s ever been. The car runs extremely smooth and precise. Which is what I exactly wanted. Beforehand when it made 468rwhp, it was a hand full to drive and I didn't like it. I love the way the car is now and can't wait for my next track event.    Here is the lasted Dyno run....

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