The OEM intercooler is made from plastic end tanks that are crimped onto an aluminum tube/fin core that is 4 inches thick (105mm core width) and is 5 inches in height (127mm). This may be enough to keep IAT's in check on a completely unmodified / stock vehicle, but once users to start increase power through bolt-on modifications, tuning, and built engines, the OEM intercooler will become the Achilles Heel of the system with IAT's skyrocketing out of the optimal range and drastically lowering the performance capabilities of the vehicle. Enter CSF with their stepped core design, bar/plate high performance N54 intercooler. This "drop-in fit" intercooler, which requires no modifications to install, has a bottom / larger section that is 5.5in thick (140mm) with a front face that is massive 8.25in tall (210mm). Made from CSF's industry exclusive rounded bar/plate core design. The rounded front face of the cooling bars allows for better airflow into the core. Airflow hits the core surface, and rather than scattering like it does with hitting the face of a flat bar that all competing products have, it travels around the face of the round bar and into core for much better performance than both the OEM design (flat face) and all other aftermarket competitors (all have flat face tubes or bars). A huge improvement over the OEM unit, and enough to handle even the most advanced N54 engine builds. Good for 1000hp no problem!