When should I upgrade my intercooler?

["Turbo-T"]

I did some research and it seems to me (if I'm getting this right) an intercooler upgrade may or may not be necessary.

I'm currently running a stock intercooler with around 23 lbs of boost. I don't have any track times. I'm wondering if my next mod should be a stretched intercooler with the Duttweiler neck? Is there much to gain from doing this?

Thanks.

 

[gusszgs]

I did some research and it seems to me (if I'm getting this right) an intercooler upgrade may or may not be necessary.

I'm currently running a stock intercooler with around 23 lbs of boost. I don't have any track times. I'm wondering if my next mod should be a stretched intercooler with the Duttweiler neck? Is there much to gain from doing this?

Thanks.

When I can afford it this will be one of the first major upgrades for me. I started a thread asking the same thing. Don't know if you seen it or not.
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/general-turbo-buick-tech/261238-slic-hp-gains.html

 

[SGRIM]

The Stock I/C is one of the best things to upgrade. It has alot of pressure drop. A Dutt Neck will help alot. Expensive IMO when you can buy decent new SLIC...

Bottom line the stocker is a bottle neck!

 

["Turbo-T"]

Thanks. I do know some keep the stock I/C but put on the bigger Duttweilier neck.

All in all what does going to a bigger neck do?

It seems to me it would at best allow the turbo to spin easier w/o as much heat.

I took a look at gnttype.org and on there it says a stock intercooler is good into the low 12's but the writer went 11.50's on it. Then again I also noticed that board has some out dated info.

Guzz I've not seen your thread, but I'll have a look.

 

[graza002]

Thanks. I do know some keep the stock I/C but put on the bigger Duttweilier neck.

All in all what does going to a bigger neck do?

It seems to me it would at best allow the turbo to spin easier w/o as much heat.

I took a look at gnttype.org and on there it says a stock intercooler is good into the low 12's but the writer went 11.50's on it. Then again I also noticed that board has some out dated info.

Guzz I've not seen your thread, but I'll have a look.

23 lbs of boost on an I/C w/ a Dutt neck will flow a lot better than a stock I/C. Many people here have done it, but the reality is they went to a stretch stock location I/C soon after the Dutt neck upgrade. If I were you I would go with the larger stock location I/C over the Dutt neck. You will be very happy with the results.

 

[meanchicken]

I recently installed a stocker with Dutt neck. It gives you about 250cfm more air flow.

Yes it will help spool and yes it will give you a little more power.

Later I'll likely go to a stretch SLIC, after I upgrade the transmission, down pipe and turbo.

 

["Turbo-T"]

But couldn't the turbo still spool up to the required PSI?

It would have to work a little harder though right?

At best with a bigger neck, would the spool come on quicker? Or would the turbo not have to work as hard and produce less heat?

 

[meanchicken]

You got it right. Turbo spools into boost faster/easier the more you free up the airflow on the inlet and exhaust sides of the turbo.

If you're still sporting a stock turbo, anythin over 20psi becomes innefficeint. The little bugger has to spin too fast to make boost, can't get out of its own way and produces too much heat.

Bigger turbos produce more power at a given boost level than smaller turbos for this reason.

Also...think of boost as a resistance measurement, not an airflow measurment.

 

["Turbo-T"]

Nope I have a TE44, not a stocker. So hopefully it's still pretty efficient over 20 PSI.

 

[Razor]

Guess it depends on goals. I bet if your car runs mid 12's and you put a stretch or FM and run the same boost it will run the same.

Once the power starts coming up.. its a whole other issue. Typically mid 11's or faster there is improvement. That alcohol system makes that stocker appear huge.