The cooling efficiency of an intercooler is affected by many factors including the frontal surface area of the core, cooling fin design and air flow through and over the core. HKS have increased the size of the core over stock to increase the air the air flow over the core. New type cooling fin now offers improved heat radiation. Core end tanks have been designed to flow the compressed air evenly across the whole intercooler core. All these factors will maximise reduction of intake air temperature which increases air density. The range of fueling and ignition options is increased, making it possible to deliver more power and torque.

In pursuing intercooler performance, reducing pressure loss becomes just as important as cooling efficiency. If the pressure drop is significantly high, throttle response as well as torque is reduced. However, pressure drop and cooling efficiency are conflicting properties. By reducing pressure drop, cooling efficiency also suffers. A large cause of pressure drop is the cross sectional area of the tubes in which the air flows and inner fin layout and shape. HKS has emphasised cooling efficiency yet achieved a low resistance design with thin fins. Tube design has also been considered by using as many as possible and increasing the cross sectional area. With these measures in place, high levels of cooling efficiency have been achieved without sacrificing pressure drop.