How to decide intercooler size?
Bigger is Not Always Better (When Lag Strikes Back) Similar to the issue of inlet size, you want an intercooler properly sized to provide efficient cooling without having an impact on boost lag. The larger the core volume, the more air is required to fill the cooler.
How is intercooler efficiency calculated?
A basic intercooler efficiency calculation is the change in the charge air temperature going through the intercooler divided by the difference in the temperature of the hot charge air and ambient air temperature: efficiency = (‘charge air into IC’ – ‘charge air out IC’)/(‘charge air into IC’ – ‘ambient air’).
Is a bigger intercooler better?
As a general rule of thumb a slightly bigger intercooler will have better cooling properties although it usually creates more drag. This extra drag needs be carefully weighed up against the cooling offered. The longer the air is inside the intercooler the better the cooling effect will be.
What is the best type of intercooler?
Overall, the air-to-air intercooler is the most popular intercooler style and provides the best bang-for-buck.
Does intercooler thickness matter?
Hense a thicker intercooler will provide more power and temps will fall. But if you could spread the same cross section over a larger frontal area, temps would fall even more.
How many degrees does an intercooler cool the air?
Notes on intercooling If an intercooler can take compressed air at 270 degrees, and drop it down to the cooling air temp outside the intercooler of 70 degrees (a 200 degree drop), it is 100 % Effective. If it can only drop it half as much, from 270 degrees down to 170 degrees, it is only 50% Effective.
How efficient is an air to water intercooler?
Typically, a liquid-to-air intercooler achieves higher efficiencies than an air-to-air intercooler, starting at 75% efficiency and reaching peaks of 95% efficiency. Another advantage is the optional use of ice as a coolant, which is the only way to reduce the charge-air temperature below the ambient air temperature.
How much BHP does a bigger intercooler add?
To put it simply: no, a turbo intercooler will not really add any horsepower to your car but it does influence it. More air equals more power, so to speak. Furthermore, it gives you much more wiggle room for a more aggressive tune without the risk of harming your engine or throwing those pesky check engine lights.
Do you need a tune for intercooler?
Nope. Upgrading the intercooler doesn’t require a tune.
What makes a better intercooler?
Ambient airflow is less effective the thicker the intercooler core is. Using a thicker core in a direct airflow location, like the front, will have more effective ambient airflow. Core turbulence and pressure drop function hand in hand. Turbulence is what causes the transmission of heat from charge air to the core.
What is intercooler efficiency and why is it important?
If you know your in and out temperatures you can calculate your intercooler efficiency to ensure you are getting enough air or water to cool your intake charge. It can also be used to compare different intercoolers.
What size Intercooler do I Need?
The actual size that we decide to use will be greatly influenced by the space claim available in the engine bay. What you can see is that an internal flow area, according to Corky Bell, should have a minimum flow area of around 22sq in. with closer to 28sq in. for an intercooler of typical density.
How does an intercooler work in a turbo?
As air is compressed by your turbo, it heats up, not because of the heat of the turbocharger, but because as the air is pressurized, the air molecules are forced closer together and that results in an increase in energy. This energy manifests itself as heat. The function of an intercooler is to remove that heat from the intake charge.
Why is the intercooler temperature so low in a car?
The thermal inertia of the water and aluminum in the intercooler slows intercooler thermal rise during a short burst of power. The heat is applied only for a few seconds, while the intercooler and water in the intercooler system start out being reasonably cold.