Intercooler Gains/Turbo Questions

[DissT]

Here is what is done.

Engine Rebuilt - Stock Rods/Pistons/Crank
Girdle
Champion Iron Heads/Ported Intake
Roller Cam 206/206
Progressive Alky
THDP
50lb Injectors
3200 stall
Usual other bolt-ons

Currently it has a Stock Intercooler and most likely going with a PTE Stock Location upgrade. My question is what gains will I see by only upgrading the Intercooler alone. Current numbers are 449 RWHP 473 TQ with a TE-54 Turbo @ 18lbs.

Another question is if I changed the turbo what would a good option be with my current supporting mods. To be honest no matter how many times I read the FAQ's and information provided on turbos the newer numbers and BB ones make me scratch my head to what is best.

Anyway that is basically it, thanks in advance.

 

[Christophah]

I think you would see good gains with an upgraded intercooler. When you say "stock" intercooler, does that mean bone stock? No Dutt neck? If that is the case you should see good gains from upgrading. As far as your turbo goes, you have enough stall to step up to a big dual BB unit like a 6776 or 6131, but I'd say if you went that big you will be looking into some injectors soon, atleat the motron 60's. Also, if you go for a big turbo and really big HP numbers, you are gonna regret that you didn't splurge for some JE pistons when you did your rebuild..............just my opinion.

 

[SouthernCal GN]

With your combo, a 6776, T-66, or similar would be killer. Personally, I'd go with a FMIC, but that's just me......

 

[UNDER-PRESSURE]

That PTE stock location should be good for 20 - 30 hp with none of the drawbacks of a front mount & this florida heat. As for turbo's.... i think a CPT66 BB from Cotton's would be a killer turbo with your combo.

 

[DissT]

Yes the IC is totally bone stock.:smile:

I never really planned on going for huge numbers, the girdle was on the car when I purchased it so didn't bother with changing internals.

20-30 HP and a faster spool is what I was hoping to hear. The car does not go over 180 with stop & go traffic and the AC on atm. I am of the mindset of functionality over performance for the time being.

Thanks for all the info and I will check out a 66 turbo.

 

[Super6]

intercooler

i would go with a front mount either a BA or an RJC. with the front mount. you can go find that cobra and show him your rear bumper...what alky kit do you have? Bob

 

[DissT]

i would go with a front mount either a BA or an RJC. with the front mount. you can go find that cobra and show him your rear bumper...what alky kit do you have? Bob

Progressive

 

[Grumpy]

I'd go with a stock location intercooler

 

[Super6]

Progressive

that's good. my car never got over 170 degrees with the front mount but i have dual fans and bigger than stock radiator. the fm is like a turbo you have to buy the supporting items but the payoff is well worth it. i'd leave the turbo alone and just upgrade the intercooler. you might be surprized at the results because the stock intercooler is very restrictive. either way you go with the intercooler you are going to pick up and you should be able to turn the boost up more...hth....Bob

 

[86 TR]

Last year the best my car ran was a 12.20 @ 108 mph with stock turbo, intercooler, and downpipe. The engine is a stock rebuild with a little better flat tappet cam. This spring I bought a TE60 turbo, precision stock loc. I/C and a 3" downpipe and my car responded very well. I gained over 10+ mph in the quarter mile. The times are in my sig. I think the most improvement came from that intercooler. Ive run the boost as high as 24psi.

I can't say for sure how much you will gain but I think the intercooler was my biggest bang for the buck. This thing is a honker compared to the stock unit.

I spoke will Hartline perfomance and Cal said I would notice a big improvement over the stock i/c and holy cow was he right.

I kind of wish now that I had put the turbo and downpipe on and seen what it would run then put the intercooler on.

You will be very happy with this intercooler IMHO.

 

[jasjamz]

Stock location! PTE is what I want, but I am happy with my Dutt. neck as of now.

 

[UNDER-PRESSURE]

Stock location! PTE is what I want, but I am happy with my Dutt. neck as of now.

A Duttweiler necked stock intercooler & Alky is great street setup IMO. I ran my car at 19 psi with 60# injectors, BGC 23 row stock location intercooler on pump gas to 24 psi with Blue top injectors, Duttweiler necked stock intercooler & alky.

 

[turbo nasty]

Nothing can change the fact that the Stock location IC's are going to get heat soaked to a greater extent and drop off in heat rejection ability quicker due to them being in the engine bay with the motor.This being in a full ops temp hot lap situation or street driving or equiv scenarios.
This is just my O2 & I think the FMIC's will function better overall.

1 Bad con being running hotter..mine went up a few degrees but nothing scary. This is all according to the cond of the cooling system, area, and type of FMIC.

Couple of Pros, the front of the motor is so much easier to get to and open & no more scoop hangin down.

 

[DissT]

Nothing can change the fact that the Stock location IC's are going to get heat soaked to a greater extent and drop off in heat rejection ability quicker due to them being in the engine bay with the motor.This being in a full ops temp hot lap situation or street driving or equiv scenarios.
This is just my O2 & I think the FMIC's will function better overall.

1 Bad con being running hotter..mine went up a few degrees but nothing scary. This is all according to the cond of the cooling system, area, and type of FMIC.

Couple of Pros, the front of the motor is so much easier to get to and open & no more scoop hangin down.

I guess my thinking is in regards to needing a new rad, dual fans and the cost of a FMIC plus the installation associated dollars wise. I suppose with 9k already put into it what is another 2-3k right? lol

The stock location just seems more logical and more economical for the power gains I will see long term. Especially since I need to finish the landscape around my house or my wife will lynch my arse if I spend a chunk on the car first On the serious side though I will probably never see the race track or have the need for the capability of a FMIC being a weekend warrior.

 

[Christophah]

Every time an intercooler thread pops up, this argument about stock location intercoolers and heatsoak pops up. Sure, we would all like to have a front mount intercooler, and if you can afford the mods that go along with it, then do it. But the fact of the matter is, heatsoak or no heatsoak - there are guys running VERY fast with stock location intercoolers (10's or faster) with no problem. If your budget only allows for intercooler only, do the stock location.

 

[donZ]

get a cottons front mount,
and be done with it..............
i gained a solid 3 tenths..............
no other changes.