In sytyland aftermarket intercoolers either don't work well, or cost a ton, create cooling problems, and don't fit well. I tried KB's stock mount intercooler, it worked a bit better than stock, but no real gains. Next I tried the CAS ($1500) FM, worked much better, but didn't fit well, caused cooling problems, and spool up was a little lazy with the pte63 and 2800 stall.
Here are some benefits IMO to a hotair/alky type setup.
1. No pressure loss.
2. Spools extremely fast, makes it fun to drive, feels like a big block.
3. No heat soak.
4. Allows me to run a lot more alky without pulling fuel out of the chip. Not sure this is a real benefit, but it has made tuning the system a snap. When I was running the FM intercooler I was using 2 - .8 mm aquamist nozzles and bogging the motor down, now I'm running 4 - 1 mm nozzles, turning on at 1-3 psi, with no bog what so ever.
5. Cleans up engine compartment.
6. Inexpensive. This is my main goal. Building a 10 second combo for syty's like no other, currently I'm using lots of stock parts,
very close to what the buick guys use. Personally I woundn't be happy with a $10,000(in mods)/10 second combo, a $5000/10 second combo sounds about right.