FAST used SEMA 2025 to showcase one of the most useful upgrades yet for LS-based boosted applications: the new LSXHR intercooler developed specifically for its composite LSXHR 103 mm intake manifold and other popular Hi-Ram–style upper plenums. For enthusiasts running centrifugal superchargers or turbochargers, intake-air temperatures are always the enemy, especially on combinations where charge heat quickly becomes the limiting factor. FAST set out to build an air-to-water intercooler that not only cools the charge efficiently but also integrates seamlessly into the intake system without the frustration of excessive routing, fabrication, or pressure loss.
A Chilly Approach To Cooling Intake Air Temps
Where traditional intercooler setups force builders to mount a core remotely and route long lengths of tubing from the compressor outlet to the core and back to the throttle body, the LSXHR intercooler takes a far more compact and elegant approach. The air-to-water core is designed to sit directly between the upper and lower intake manifold sections, dramatically reducing the amount of under-hood plumbing. Fewer bends, less volume, and minimized fabrication translate into faster installs and a cleaner, more serviceable engine bay. For builders working within tight engine compartments, or simply looking to streamline their boosted LS build, the packaging alone is a major advantage.
Engineered For Boosted Power And Real-World Performance
FAST designed the LSXHR intercooler with demanding mid- and high-boost engines in mind. The unit uses large -16AN water inlets and outlets to move coolant efficiently through the core, supporting the thermal load generated by big-power LS engines. The construction is equally serious: welded billet aluminum ensures durability under repeated heat cycles, while O-ring seals on both the air and water sides keep the system leak-free and consistent at elevated boost pressures. A durable black powder-coated finish completes the package, combining function with a clean, understated appearance.
To validate the design, FAST tested the intercooler on a 1,350-horsepower turbocharged LSX combination running around 20 psi of boost. The results highlight intake-air temperatures that dropped an incredible 198 degrees Fahrenheit, all while registering less than 1 psi of pressure loss across the core. For a unit that dramatically shortens piping and sits directly in the intake path, those numbers speak volumes.
A New Approach To Cooling LSXHR Intake Air
Cooling Efficiency With Minimal Compromise Enthusiasts designing a boosted LS build often face the compromise between cooling efficiency, packaging headaches, and overall simplicity. FAST’s LSXHR air-to-water intercooler works to eliminate that compromise entirely. It offers impressive thermal performance, integrates cleanly with popular Hi-Ram–style intakes, and reduces fabrication effort to a fraction of what traditional systems require. For builders chasing more power without adding more complications, this new intercooler makes a compelling case as one of the standout forced-induction solutions of SEMA 2025.
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