[GS70350]

So can someone explain, why do people take this route when bolt in, higher performing pieces are available?? I'm confused.

Because the only thing separating this intercooler from the "highest performing Bolt in intercoolers" is the instalation and cost. Instalation is not bolt in, and it costs much less. But the others do not offer "higher performance" in fact, unless your talking about a custom built race intercooler, or liquid intercooler. This intercooler is just as good as a CAS V2, or a eastern performance front mount, and the PTE is barely ahead. it flows a little more, but has less cooling area than the Powerstroke intercooler. The powerstroke intercooler also has the fin in tube design like Reds Hot Air stated. Another plus is that htis intercooler WILL NOT increase your coolant temperature due to blockage of air to the radiator. maybe a few degrees, but other intercoolers "could" end up costing twice as much as their initial cost because you will end up upgrading your cooling system to bring the temperatures back down. I put this intercooler on, and i still run 160 degrees. pulling up a hill, it gets to 178 max, but comes back down. So you have better cooling system performance with this intercooler over other intercoolers that block airflow.

Basically, the only problem with this intercooler is instalation time. Other than that, it comes close or surpasses most other aftermarket intercoolers that can be purchased for these cars.