You can type here any text you want

How do you know when you need a bigger intercooler ?

Welcome!

By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

SignUp Now!

TurboTdr3.8

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Messages
1,230
Just what is says , I see all different sizes but what justifies when to move up to a bigger cooler .
 
90 hits and no one has answer , Im already divorced so that should not be a problem .
 
hello; I don't know the answer but some one will. What ever could be done to cool the in charge will prevent knock and more boost could be had. I don't know what the limit would be as there's alot to it. The stock cooler is getting old and maybe a good cleaning is all thats needed and I don't know if a front mount is really needed either in a car like mine anyway. I did go with a SLIC just for the reasons I said.
have fun
IBBY
 
Without alky, you need one sooner. With alky, a poor performing intercooler won't show itself as soon. Basically, are you getting any knock now? Are you happy with your combo? If it works, don't touch it. If I had your sig, I'd at least have a different SLIC; PTE or 1.5 or CAS V4 if you can find one.
 
I would suspect with your combo you would benefit from a better cooler. If you could measure the boost before and after the cooler you could determine the pressure drop across the cooler and see how much you stand to gain. You could also relocate the IAT sensor and see what your charge air temp is going into the engine. The alky drops the temp also but a better cooler will allow you to run more boost with less exhaust backpressure and that means more power to the wheels. My experiences have shown about 11.70/114 mph range with your big neck cooler is about as far as I would go with it, below that you can pick up some power with a better cooler. What boost/ET range is your car running? Presure drop and i/c outlet temps are what dictate an i/c upgrade.
 
Usually the intercooler be becomes a flow restriction at a certain point even if heat rejection is good. Measure pressure before and after intercooler and charge air temp before and after. When it starts dropping more than 15-20% pressure I'd be looking for a higher flowing intercooler. You need to look at pressure drop at the top of the usable rpm range. Bigger intercoolers dont mean more power if what was there was enough.
 
[QUOTE Measure pressure before and after intercooler and charge air temp before and after. When it starts dropping more than 15-20% pressure I'd be looking for a higher flowing intercooler. You need to look at pressure drop at the top of the usable rpm range][/QUOTE]What is a simple method of checking this pressure ?
 
You are allready measuring the boost after the cooler going into the motor, you need a second gauge before the the cooler possibly on the compressor housing? The temp is a lil trickier you can slide a temp thermocouple wire under a coupling and into the airstream path do you have access to a fluke meter with temp measuring ability?
 
You are allready measuring the boost after the cooler going into the motor, you need a second gauge before the the cooler possibly on the compressor housing?
So if I have 17 lbs going in the motor and 20lbs at the cooler I need a bigger IC , is this what we talking about ?
 
Tap into the intercooler inlet. Use 2 calibrated map sensors and data log. Looking at gauges trying to compare while going 100+mph isn't a good idea.
 
What did he say ?

Bison said if you take your eyes off the track ( closed highway in Mexico ) at 100 MPH trying to see PSI before & after intercooler on two different gauges, you will have more to worry about than pressure drop;)

If your that concerned, either drop the coin on a datalogger & laptop or just get yourself a 23 row SLIC & be done....
 
Has anybody actually done all of this pressure testing? If so, what were the results and what was your combo?
 
If I were going to go through the trouble to measure pressure drop, I'd get a differential pressure gauge. then you only have to read the drop.
 
to answer thread question
im going to go with. when with what charge air cooler you have and chemical aka meth no longer drops temps sufficient enough for you to make more power then the upgrade is needed. then the arguement turns into. size of turbo and the VE shes in. question tends to get complex. good one tho
 
So if I have 17 lbs going in the motor and 20lbs at the cooler I need a bigger IC , is this what we talking about ?
. Yes this what we are talking about the pressure drop equals lost boost. The lower the drop the better. if you are not able to check the gauges while road testing you can take a buddy along. I would check the pressure drop first. You would want the two gauges close to each other for viewing purposes. Data logging and differential gauges are options also. Does this make sense?
 
Back
Top