i would think there is some difference isnt there? same purpose but the intercoolers are front mount and the vortect is mounted behind the blower. also dont you put ice in the after cooler? that has nothing to do with the fins of the intercoolers which is how they cool. they cool in different fashions dont they?
Intercoolers are better from what Ive heard because you have cool air hitting it when your moving which intern keeps you car cooler when driving any distance.
Where as a aftercooler it still cools it down but the way to get it very cold is to add ice.
I dont know if there is any proof that one is actually better than the other at the track. But I have been told if you do any racing what soever on the street intercooler is the way to go.
I just picked up a Paxton IC and it should be put on some time next week. Tim @ MPH reccomended it to me saying that its good for about 600-800 rwhp, which is more than Ill ever need..... hopefuly.