I don’t think the bigger relocated intercoolers are necessary, but the stock intercooler is a very inefficient and small design. Switching to a bar and plate style core increases efficiency tremendously. I think there are too many variables in your anecdotal test to isolate the improvement. 35 vs 37 tires and stage 1 vs 2 tunes would both make a big difference.
In addition to lowering charge temps, a good bar and plate core will have less pressure drop across the core, resulting in the same power at a lower boost pressure, or more power at the same boost pressure, and in turn is much healthier for the motor.