Intercooler question

[matt_lamb_160 252]

What are your thoughts on running an intercooler like this (this style and these dimensions):

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110671847746?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_4244wt_1161

 

Compared to one like this (this style and these dimensions):

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400457966313?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_1869wt_1161

 

 

 

[Crazy2287 1,886]

second one will be less restrictive.

[matt_lamb_160 252]

That's what the ads suggest as well, but the core on the first one has almost double the flow area of the second. The ducting is possibly not as good though

[Clevo120Y 815]

The first flows 600cfm the second 381cfm. The first one is more realistic in the power it will support. On specs I would go the first one but quality will always be a factor.

[matt_lamb_160 252]

_{Ha, I did not noticee the 381cfm.}

 

_{The first style makes more sense to me, but everybody else seems to go the second style.} 

[Trev Vaa 1,185]

get quality stuff dude

https://www.plazmaman.com/shop_list.php?cate=44

[matt_lamb_160 252]

Thanks mate, but the thread is about intercooler style, not specific brands.

[Crazy2287 1,886]

Yep, although i have nothing to back it up i would suspect the lateral flow design of the second one too offer less resistance to path especially at higher flows. The other one forces the air to take more turns. Air in the cooler will be turbulent in both due their nature but i would expect the first one to be worse. this assuming the cores and tanks of equal specifications....

[Clevo120Y 815]

I do somewhat agree crazy, being pressurized I think the effect would be somewhat minimal, completely different if the engine had to pull air through it.

[Crazy2287 1,886]

well depends on how critical you want the system. Pressure drop across a the intercooler will be similar as that of a drop in free air. the point that the air is at a higher pressure than ambient will have little bearing, other than it's increase in temperature and density, there will still be a drop whenever air is turbulent, changing velocities or changing direction.

 

you may not 'see' the drop as the wategate will close more to increase the pressure and negate the effect of the pressure drop. what you don't see is the increase in effort this forces the escaping exhaust gas to exert and in effect reducing exhaust flow which will = lower output. You will also reduce the maximum boos capable from the turbo as your wasting a fraction of it on the ducting and cooler.

[Wes 214]

The best cooler designs are opposing end tanks. ie has the inlet or outlet down the bottom or up top and then vice versa. The whole tank will then be utilised efficiently. With other designs, the air can find route through the quickest track.

 

As for design, it is more than just end tanks. It is also the quality of the inner core which cannot be ignored in regarding the design aspect. So a cooler with a bad end tank design might have a superior core to one that has a good end tank design but a cheap core.

 

In a perfect world you would get a quality core from reputable sources (not ebay) and also ensure the design of the tanks are laminar, smooth and opposite one another at opposite ends.

[gerg 10,871]

Yep, agree with Wes. If the air is forced to go diagonally across the core, as in the first type, then more even flow will occur. The second one with the inlet/outlet at the top of the tanks will promote flow only between them, and the air down the bottom will, to an extent, stagnate. It's all to do with the momentum of the air coming in from the pipe. It wants to continue in a straight path, not have to turn corners to get through the core.

 

It's the same argument for a cat converter. Often the restriction in them is not so much from the "core" but from too small an inlet, forcing the stream of gas to shoot through the middle instead of fanning out and utilising all of the core.

[matt_lamb_160 252]

Thanks for the input guys. I have ended up going for one with opposing end tanks like Wes was talking about.