This is a fairly basic question.

Were I to rattlecan a decal or something on an aftermarket intercooler, would it reduce its efficiency? I would think that an Intercooler is built specifically with its thermal resistivity in mind and that by modifying with paint, it will make the intercooler less efficient. However, I see a lot of the aftermarket intercoolers out there have decals painted on them. Or, does this just not really have that much of an affect?

 

It's really not going to cause anything. Now if you get the paint on there so THICK that it clogs the intercooler, then you will have issues.

 

Yes it will reduce the effectinveness of the IC but not really that much(you will not notice a difference). I know some guys who paint thier entire IC and it still works good (better then the stock IC). ^ I agree with the thick comment clogging the IC and it effecting it, that could be bad.

 

Here is proof from Garrett that it will not cause any negligible performance loss:
http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbob...faqs.html#in14

 

Thanks a lot.

That is exactly the information I was looking for.

 

I agree 8 billion percent....
But i dare you to post that on the VW Vortex..
10 Billion know nothings will jump up your *** that you just destroyed your innercooler by destroying the thermodynamics of it becayse a few microns of paint......
Spray away just dont go postal on it...My VW had a black innercooler....But im a traitor

 

i painted my IC matte black...no difference whats so over, light coat on it, just wanted it because everything on my evo is black, tint, rims, car, IC, exhaust, intake, UICP. Looks sick, runs the same.

 

so im guessing a strong paint that can with hold a lot of heat would be the way to go.. i wanna paint my entire ic black lol