***I have ran a few tests on this system with one stock intercooler and the stock turbo. I used a VDO boost gauge and two SunPro temperature gauges. With my boost controller set to 15 psi at the intake manifold (it has it's own sensor to maintain the proper setting at the manifold) and the VDO tapped in approximately six inches before the intercooler in the PVC pipe, the boost measured 15 psi, just as it should. Then with the VDO tapped in approximately six inches after the intercooler in the PVC, the boost pressure was measured again with the same results, 15 psi indicating no measurable pressure drop from the intercooler.
After this, I took the two temperature gauges and plumbed the sensor probes into the same holes that the pressure measurements were taken in (of course the holes had to be enlarged). With one gauge six inches before and one gauge six inches after the intercooler, the temperature readings were taken at highway runs in fifth gear. It should be noted that these readings were taken in fifth because there was not enough time in other gears to get a reading. On 15 psi runs and 68 degree ambient temperatures, the temperatures before the intercooler reached just under 295 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the section between the turbo and intercooler, and the hottest section in the system (and no, the PVC does not melt or deform)! At the other temperature sensor, after the intercooler, the readings peaked at slightly less than 150 degrees Fahrenheit. That is very good in my opinion, considering the heat that is put out of the stock turbo at 15 psi. I would estimate that the stock turbo is only about 60% efficient at 15 psi and would not recommend running this level of boost with the stock turbo on a regular basis. This test was simply to test the PVC/stock intercooler efficiency. I believe that the stock intercooler system is actually better than most people think. I believe that the pressure drop reported is due to the stock intercooler pipes, not the intercooler it's self.
