Are All Intercoolers Created Equal?
Michael@ETS - I like the density of your FMIC core. I had a GReddy FMIC on my old Eclipse and it looks a lot like the other core you showed where the air goes "straight through".
What I dont understand is how the density affects air flow. If this were an exhaust system, you would prefer the straight through style because you would be passing the air through faster. Obviously in the case of an FMIC, the more contact the air makes with the fins the better it can cool, but are there any downsides to the additional obstructions vs a straight through design? I know a larger FMIC delays spool time, but Im not sure what the density of the core influences.
What I dont understand is how the density affects air flow. If this were an exhaust system, you would prefer the straight through style because you would be passing the air through faster. Obviously in the case of an FMIC, the more contact the air makes with the fins the better it can cool, but are there any downsides to the additional obstructions vs a straight through design? I know a larger FMIC delays spool time, but Im not sure what the density of the core influences.
If you have a good intercooler the air may come in at 25lbs due to it being hot and spread out after it goes through the core and cools down the air gets much denser and you may only see 23.5lbs come out the other side but the air is much cooler and denser.
Hope this helps.
Thanks!
Michael
The density of the core does slow down air flow due to splitting the air molecules over and over. One of ours usually has around 1.5 lbs of pressure drop where a straight through intercooler may only have .5 lbs of pressure drop. The difference is the density of the air when it comes out the cold side.
Thanks!
The difference is spool is not really noticeable though because it takes seconds to fill the intercooler. You might see a difference of 100rpm's from the smallest to the largest which is nothing.
We have a customer who ran the stock 9 turbo to 500hp (electric water pump, etc.) and he switched from 3.5" to 5.0" and didn't notice a difference at all.
The larger intercooler on the stock frame turbos are necessary due to pulling the turbo out of it's efficiency range and blowing a ton of excess heat. I would say everyone needs a 5.0" but at a minimum I would do a 3.5"
Michael
We have a customer who ran the stock 9 turbo to 500hp (electric water pump, etc.) and he switched from 3.5" to 5.0" and didn't notice a difference at all.
The larger intercooler on the stock frame turbos are necessary due to pulling the turbo out of it's efficiency range and blowing a ton of excess heat. I would say everyone needs a 5.0" but at a minimum I would do a 3.5"
Michael
I have always wanted to see test results of different I/C. Are there tests that show proof that one I/C out performs one over and other. And does the specific I/C out perform an other because it is running on a car producing 700hp to see real differences? I'm thinking that if your the guy running 300-350 whp It might not make a difference but I could be wrong.
Evolving Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Boise, ID
Is there anything special to the curves of the AMS/Perrin/etc. endtanks? I noticed that the EMS endtanks are linear with straight edges rather than curved. Just curious if there's any advantage of one design over another. Thx.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: amman
and does it really matter that much?
cheers everyone
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: amman
I build intercoolers :P
The major difference is inner tube fin design, number of tubes, and thickness of walls of tubes. All these things play part in how well it flows, if you have pressure drop or not, and obviously how well it actually absorbs heat.
/dave
The major difference is inner tube fin design, number of tubes, and thickness of walls of tubes. All these things play part in how well it flows, if you have pressure drop or not, and obviously how well it actually absorbs heat.
/dave
Michael@ETS - I like the density of your FMIC core. I had a GReddy FMIC on my old Eclipse and it looks a lot like the other core you showed where the air goes "straight through".
What I dont understand is how the density affects air flow. If this were an exhaust system, you would prefer the straight through style because you would be passing the air through faster. Obviously in the case of an FMIC, the more contact the air makes with the fins the better it can cool, but are there any downsides to the additional obstructions vs a straight through design? I know a larger FMIC delays spool time, but Im not sure what the density of the core influences.
What I dont understand is how the density affects air flow. If this were an exhaust system, you would prefer the straight through style because you would be passing the air through faster. Obviously in the case of an FMIC, the more contact the air makes with the fins the better it can cool, but are there any downsides to the additional obstructions vs a straight through design? I know a larger FMIC delays spool time, but Im not sure what the density of the core influences.
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Difference between cast tanks vs fabricated ---- looks more then anything.
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Last edited by ezzey; Jul 4, 2011 at 05:12 PM.
