I need an intercooler, not a kit, not even endtanks for that matter because i’d have to modify them anyway. I see a huge difference in prices, even for just the cores, why is this? Would a cheaper core off ebay be any different than say a spearco core? Any thoughts or experience to share?
I’d just have to say the difference would be R&D and efficiency.
efficiency and pressure drop are the biggest things to worry about.
Yes it does matter ALOT.
the one i was looking at on ebay had a pressure drop of 0.2-0.5psi at 15psi and 1-4psi at 35psi…i thought that was pretty good, i’ll look for it again and post the link…
Rob, maybe this is a good thread to do some explaining about pressure drop and maybe link to some articles or something. 8)
Here’s a few right now on ebay…notice that two are less than 130 and the other 170, buy it now…what makes them different than the 300 dollar one? Nevermind the endtank design or anything, how much difference can there be in the efficency of the core itself?
Now if you look at a online store like “www.cheapturbo.com” they sell Garrett and PWR intercoolers but their 600+USD…i want a good intercooler, maybe not the best of the best, but good…i just don’t care for paying double or tripple for a brand name and maybe 5hp in difference…any input is helpful…
Bah, I would do it but i am fuckin lazy. Here is a short speal.
I will try to get something longer up tomorrow. If you want to learn yourself, go pick up a copy of Maximum Boost by Corky Bell, but there is alot of opinion in the book.
There are other good books out there too.
Style
Basicly there are two styles of air to air intercoolers (nissan board i am assuming air to air) Tube and Fin (cheaper, most kits out there)
And Bar and plate (better alot more money).
The Bar and Plate style is far better but on most street car it does not have any noticable advantages.
Pressure drop
Whenever air is passed through an intercooler if is forces into smaller passages, thus resulting in turbulance. ALL INTERCOOLERS WILL HAVE A PRESSURE DROP. This means if your boosting at 14 psi from your turbo and your intercooler has a drop of 2 psi, you will be seeing 12 psi at the intake manifold. The smaller the drop the better the intercooler.
However, the larger the core (size) the more pressure drop there will be. So there is a trade off. Never buy a HUGE intercooler that is good for 600 WHP when you are only pushing 200 WHP.
Also how the end tanks are made and designed will effect the drop. The smoother and more free flowing they are the less drop. This means a nice gental, gradual and smooth endtank is better than one that takes a 90 degree and is abrupt. the first pic is bad the second is good (better really)
Again the bar and plate style is by far better is this department.
Efficiency
This is how efficient the intercooler is. If for example (Simplified) the air off your turbo is 100 degrees and the outside temp is 0 degrees. A better (more efficient) i ntercooler will cool the air charge more than a bad one (less efficient)
However ducting and airflow have alot more to due with efficiency than the actual intercooler. Air will always the the path of least resistance and going through a 3 inch thick intercooler is not very easy. (read the book mentioned above to learn about ducting) Some intercoolers, especialy the high end ones (ARC etc) will have a smooth face (Look at jareds JVDskyline) it goes in and out to force air through it.
Here is a pathetic drawing
/ <---------
\ <--------- Air flow
/ <-----------
\
/
As you can see it will not as easily go around the intercooler as it would if it was flat.
Basicly on a street car is does not matter a whole lot (unless you have 25 PSI +)
Just get something small that fits the front of your car and uses all of the ducting. Also try to make ducting for it as it helps ALOT.
And Dave you are lucky i had too many engery drinks tonight and don’t want to fix my car anymore.
Nice job Rob.
This is the kind of info / responses we need on this forum rather than the usual jabs and limited bits of info people give out.
Nice!
X2!
Thanks Rob.
Dan