AMS v Z1 Heat Exchangers

[Cujo2811]

I’m curious on the comparison between the Z1 heat exchanger versus the AMS heat exchanger. I understand the AMS is better quality for high-level track use. Better components materials, etc., thus reflecting double the price of Z1.

Z1 is geared to more street use not track. With that in mind, it’s much more affordable.

Does anybody have any comparisons in between the two?

Does anybody have front and photos of the two? (I always like the look of being able to see a large heat exchanger in the front grill. The AMS is silver, which would be easily to see versus the Z one is black which I feel would be more hiddenj).

I would love to see if there’s any photos to contrast this if yall have them!!

 

[KrackaC8]

AMS
$950
2x thick (32mm?)
198% core size vs. stock
200% fluid capacity

Z1
$450
22mm thick
147% front area vs. stock
174% coolant capacity

CZP
$500
2x thick (32mm?)
150% frontal area vs. stock
320% coolant capacity

Mishimoto
$700
32mm thick
172% core size vs. stock
139% frontal area vs. stock


I did this comparison a while back when I was picking my heat exchanger, but updated it with current pricing. I personally went for the Mishimoto due to sale pricing at the time and the fact it retained the OEM heat exchanger stone guard for highway protection (I also did their intercoolers). That aside, at today's pricing, I'd be hard pressed to pick anything other than CZP's at the moment based on their pricing and using the largest core across the competition. AMS makes a great product, legit R&D, proven, etc. but you are absolutely paying a premium for their name.

 

[Bumflik]

AMS
$950
2x thick (32mm?)
198% core size vs. stock
200% fluid capacity

Z1
$450
22mm thick
147% front area vs. stock
174% coolant capacity

CZP
$500
2x thick (32mm?)
150% frontal area vs. stock
320% coolant capacity

Mishimoto
$700
32mm thick
172% core size vs. stock
139% frontal area vs. stock


I did this comparison a while back when I was picking my heat exchanger, but updated it with current pricing. I personally went for the Mishimoto due to sale pricing at the time and the fact it retained the OEM heat exchanger stone guard for highway protection (I also did their intercoolers). That aside, at today's pricing, I'd be hard pressed to pick anything other than CZP's at the moment based on their pricing and using the largest core across the competition. AMS makes a great product, legit R&D, proven, etc. but you are absolutely paying a premium for their name.

Appreciate you for doing this research and sharing.

 

[Zplz]

AMS
$950
2x thick (32mm?)
198% core size vs. stock
200% fluid capacity

Z1
$450
22mm thick
147% front area vs. stock
174% coolant capacity

CZP
$500
2x thick (32mm?)
150% frontal area vs. stock
320% coolant capacity

Mishimoto
$700
32mm thick
172% core size vs. stock
139% frontal area vs. stock


I did this comparison a while back when I was picking my heat exchanger, but updated it with current pricing. I personally went for the Mishimoto due to sale pricing at the time and the fact it retained the OEM heat exchanger stone guard for highway protection (I also did their intercoolers). That aside, at today's pricing, I'd be hard pressed to pick anything other than CZP's at the moment based on their pricing and using the largest core across the competition. AMS makes a great product, legit R&D, proven, etc. but you are absolutely paying a premium for their name.

Great info. Did you install your Mishimoto yourself?

 

[KrackaC8]

Great info. Did you install your Mishimoto yourself?

I had RaceBox in Houston install that along with the Mishimoto intercoolers. Their feedback was positive regarding fitment and the fact its the only one capable of retaining the stock stone guard. After getting a stone puncture in my ex-wife's WRX A/C condensor, I wanted to take every precaution possible to prevent avoidable damage.

 

[Zplz]

I had RaceBox in Houston install that along with the Mishimoto intercoolers. Their feedback was positive regarding fitment and the fact its the only one capable of retaining the stock stone guard. After getting a stone puncture in my ex-wife's WRX A/C condensor, I wanted to take every precaution possible to prevent avoidable damage.

Excellent. I saw RaceBox pop-up when I was researching local performance shops. Everything looked positive about them. I completely agree about the stone guard protection, especially with driving in the war zone of Houston roads.

 

[KrackaC8]

Excellent. I saw RaceBox pop-up when I was researching local performance shops. Everything looked positive about them. I completely agree about the stone guard protection, especially with driving in the war zone of Houston roads.

Glad I'm not the only one!

In terms of VR30 specialists, I think RaceBox is the spot to go around here! They tune a bunch of these things and work on plenty. They've been good to me with quick turnaround.

 

[el mágico]

AMS
$950
2x thick (32mm?)
198% core size vs. stock
200% fluid capacity

Z1
$450
22mm thick
147% front area vs. stock
174% coolant capacity

CZP
$500
2x thick (32mm?)
150% frontal area vs. stock
320% coolant capacity

Mishimoto
$700
32mm thick
172% core size vs. stock
139% frontal area vs. stock


I did this comparison a while back when I was picking my heat exchanger, but updated it with current pricing. I personally went for the Mishimoto due to sale pricing at the time and the fact it retained the OEM heat exchanger stone guard for highway protection (I also did their intercoolers). That aside, at today's pricing, I'd be hard pressed to pick anything other than CZP's at the moment based on their pricing and using the largest core across the competition. AMS makes a great product, legit R&D, proven, etc. but you are absolutely paying a premium for their name.

Most everyone has their reason for what they chose. This comparison is great.

I installed my CZP heatX this past January. It was like splitting hairs. At first I was stuck on the Nismo hearX, but ultimately ended up with CZP because of the company that manufactured the part.

While installing it, I did wish it had kept the stone guard, however. Held on to the original, just in case. As I have with every part I have replaced. You never know, that '27 Manual Nismo fever can kick-in out of nowhere...lol

 

[kevinbonds]

Most everyone has their reason for what they chose. This comparison is great.

I installed my CZP heatX this past January. It was like splitting hairs. At first I was stuck on the Nismo hearX, but ultimately ended up with CZP because of the company that manufactured the part.

While installing it, I did wish it had kept the stone guard, however. Held on to the original, just in case. As I have with every part I have replaced. You never know, that '27 Manual Nismo fever can kick-in out of nowhere...lol

I went with the CZP unit, going on 7-8 months, and so far, its been great. I just looked the other day, not a single bent fin, the core is very robust it seems.

 

[trackratZ]

AMS
$950
2x thick (32mm?)
198% core size vs. stock
200% fluid capacity

Z1
$450
22mm thick
147% front area vs. stock
174% coolant capacity

CZP
$500
2x thick (32mm?)
150% frontal area vs. stock
320% coolant capacity

Mishimoto
$700
32mm thick
172% core size vs. stock
139% frontal area vs. stock


I did this comparison a while back when I was picking my heat exchanger, but updated it with current pricing. I personally went for the Mishimoto due to sale pricing at the time and the fact it retained the OEM heat exchanger stone guard for highway protection (I also did their intercoolers). That aside, at today's pricing, I'd be hard pressed to pick anything other than CZP's at the moment based on their pricing and using the largest core across the competition. AMS makes a great product, legit R&D, proven, etc. but you are absolutely paying a premium for their name.

Nice comparo, thanks! Is the CZP thicker therefore 320% more capacity? Sounds efficient. I'll be tracking mine so far leaning towards the AMS, ready to pay-to-play. Wonder if the core size, frontal area is more important at speed??

 

[el mágico]

I went with the CZP unit, going on 7-8 months, and so far, its been great. I just looked the other day, not a single bent fin, the core is very robust it seems.

I like mine as well. I haven't gone over 185/186 yet. We will see with the Texas summer around the corner.

It was very humid the other day around 80 degrees and ran a 3rd and 4th for my tune, zero issues.

 

[KrackaC8]

Nice comparo, thanks! Is the CZP thicker therefore 320% more capacity? Sounds efficient. I'll be tracking mine so far leaning towards the AMS, ready to pay-to-play. Wonder if the core size, frontal area is more important at speed??

CZP & AMS share the same core thickness, but the CZP is taller and a snugger fit overall based on the install feedback I've read.

All else equal, the CZP should be more effective on the track and take longer to heatsoak with additional capacity and surface area. Both use quality brand cores.

 

[ill-legal?]

I like mine as well. I haven't gone over 185/186 yet. We will see with the Texas summer around the corner.

It was very humid the other day around 80 degrees and ran a 3rd and 4th for my tune, zero issues.

I also have the CZP heat exchanger, when I'm sitting in stop and go traffic, or if I'm stuck in a drive-thru I've seen it get up to 210-213 on the high end...once I get moving and there's air flowing it comes back down quickly. When you say 185/186, is that even in stop and go traffic or if you get stuck idling for a while?

 

[el mágico]

I also have the CZP heat exchanger, when I'm sitting in stop and go traffic, or if I'm stuck in a drive-thru I've seen it get up to 210-213 on the high end...once I get moving and there's air flowing it comes back down quickly. When you say 185/186, is that even in stop and go traffic or if you get stuck idling for a while?

Yes. I should mention it's not my daily and I've only sat in stop n go traffic one time on the highway for about 10-15 mins.

 

[robin]

What did everyone do about the stone guard?