so a bigger intercooler isnt really worth it? i installed the pruven (along with a bunch of other mods) so i didnt get to see if the ic helped at all because i dynoed it all at once. did i waste some hardcore money??? i was thinking of selling it and using the money for other mods since i still have the stock one, would this be wise?

 

Where can I get the lower IC Piping for a good price?

 

I don't understand you guys' philosophy about the lower i/c pipe. If I'm not mistaken that's just the pipe that leads to the intercooler. Well, actual air volume would be determined downstream of the intercooler - ie. the upper i/c pipe. If you increase this radius, then more air will get into the intake manifold. If you just increase the lower i/c pipe, then the air is greater at that junction, but then once it flows through the intercooler, it has to shrink down again for the pipes, plus the rubber hoses will expand because the air will be hot and this doesn't allow a smooth flow and also increases temperatures.

My vote? Get the upper i/c piping. It will increase air volume and keep temperatures down when going into the intake manifold.

-M

 

And what about the throttle body?

When the boost pressure is increased, the volume remains relatively constant, so larger pipes won't necessarily provide 'more air'.

The advantage of an aftermarket lower IC pipe is in overcoming an undesirable transition in the stock piece (just compare them visually). Changing the upper IC pipe is primarily for 'show', the lower for 'go'.

 

Perhaps I'm not really understanding when you guys say lower IC piping. Here is a pic of the entire piping to-from the intercooler. That entire piping going to the manifold is what I'm talking about. Not that little black pipe going to the intercooler.



If you have a 1.5" pipe, the volume of air can only fill up to that radius. If you switch it for a larger radius pipe - say - 2.0" pipe, then the volume of air will increase. It's the same concept as the exhaust. You want to start at the back of the car and get rid of the muffler to a better flowing one first. This will yield the biggest gain and then continue up from there.

-M

 

Here's a picture of the stock lower IC pipe next to a helix 2 3/8" lower ic pipe.



Smaller pipes generate more head loss at higher flow rates. Higher head loss = less efficiency = less hp.

 

Actually, it isn't quite the same.

The engine will consume as much air as determined by its VE. Therefore, increasing the size of the IC pipe does not increase the mass of air used by the engine.

What Marksae mentions about higher flow rates is true, but real world tests have demonstrated this to be very small in this application.

 

more peak power, but what's the gain across the curve?

looks like bigger and even diameter piping does help on top end torque after the boost develops, but really, that little tapering would help lag.

that and less of a curve along with cooler piping materials (metal) vs, warmer stock rubber crap for flexing.

 

Who has a deal on lower IC piping?

 

thats alot of pipe.. Still about the same length as the stock one.. Buschurs lower pipe cuts 16 inchs off... check out the pics... http://community.webshots.com/user/brevo8

 

if you can get a good price for it sell it and buy some cams if you don't already have them.

 

does the helix set up take care of the lower ic pipe? does it do all the plumbing?

 

took a little test drive with my full IC pipes and throttle reponse was EXCELLENT! Cant get better. The STOCK upper is okay but lower one has too much bends and crap. Gotta love the bling as well!

 

The Helix IC pipe kit comes w/ all the piping. It comes w/ a new turbo outlet elbow, along with the lower and upper pipes.

Was it worth the money? It'll probably depend a little on your mod levels. I'm sure it'll make more difference on cars with more mods. I noticed a slight gain in the midrange and top end. I probably saved a few lbs though. The stock rubber hoses are heavy! The helix pipes are built from aluminum.

 

I still think that the lower I/C piping isn't that big of a deal. I'd go for the upper I/C piping all the way. Check out Buschur's review of the lower I/C piping. Not much of a gain at all..

Also, of every turbo car I've had, the intercooler pipe kits always contained larger intake pipes (from airflow meter to turbo inlet) and larger upper I/C pipes. If you think about that configuration, it makes sense that you'd get more torque and hp in the upper rpms.

-M