Intercooler benefits?

[mineo77]

Been looking at FMIC, trying to figure out the benefits and downfalls of adding on to my car. Is turbo lag increased? what is the overall benefit?

[HPFREAK]

I have not heard of people reporting lag only boost drop which is ok since it is more efficient coller air. I know it is an all around helpful mod. Heat soak is reduced a lot which robs power as well all know after driving our cars hard on a warm day it is even worse of course. I like the AMS, Helix, and ETS coolers. I know HPF has a new cooler out that is a little different then others in design but seems to work really well.

[WhiteOne]

The ECU in your car is trying to make +or- 300hp.(that is its job)
Cooler air entering your engine means less boost is needed to make said hp.
I can't think of a downside except the expense...
JMHO

[Jayock]

BTW, the ECU tries to make a set TQ, not HP, but that just splitting hairs After all... HP = (TQ*RPM)/5252

If you are running a tune, you get a few benefits.

1. Higher effective octane by reducing backpressure on compressor (increase turbo efficiency).
2. Lower boost to get same TQ (requires less octane with less boost, can run higher map)
3. Lower boost also helps turbo life, especially if lowered in higer RPM
4. Cooler IAT gives more HP, TQ
5. Less Heat Soak.

On a tune, good IC's have shown peak gains of 10-20HP but at redline (where the turbo is furthest out of its efficiency range) have shown gains near 40HP.

So while they only up dyno peak HPs by 10-20, they are really giving a much bigger benefit than that, buy broadening the power curve. This makes for a faster car on the street/strip.

To answer your question on lag, my AP IC is about 60% bigger than stock, and I notice ZERO additional lag.

[bradford]

Originally Posted by Jayock

BTW, the ECU tries to make a set TQ, not HP, but that just splitting hairs After all... HP = (TQ*RPM)/5252

Splitting hairs further, the ECU doesn't really try to make a certain amount of torque or HP. It's not like it has a built in dyno.

What it does do is read sensors such as the MAF and adjust inputs according to the map it has been programmed with.

[mineo77]

i just want to know the benefits...dont worry about splitting hairs. I am doing a test fit/dyno next week the HPF intercooler. Def leaning towards upgrading my intercooler from what i have heard already.

[Jayock]

Originally Posted by bradford

Splitting hairs further, the ECU doesn't really try to make a certain amount of torque or HP. It's not like it has a built in dyno.

What it does do is read sensors such as the MAF and adjust inputs according to the map it has been programmed with.

To split into 1/16 a hair, it has a TMAP, not a MAF. But it tries to guess torque based on O2, MAP, IAT, Baro, Timing and Fuel values. Im probably missing one or two also.

[infinitekidM2C]

Now your splitting atoms...good info though

[BahamaBart]

a dyno is no place to test an IC. You need to place temp sensors before and after as well as pressure sensors and you need to drive the car in real conditions. Taking measurements at different RPMs, gears, ect..... As well as stops and starts - this will allow you to measure how fast it heatsoaks and dumps said heatsoak.

little reading http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/turbo/intercooler.html

[mineo77]

Originally Posted by BahamaBart

a dyno is no place to test an IC. You need to place temp sensors before and after as well as pressure sensors and you need to drive the car in real conditions. Taking measurements at different RPMs, gears, ect..... As well as stops and starts - this will allow you to measure how fast it heatsoaks and dumps said heatsoak.

little reading http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/turbo/intercooler.html

i agree, but that is what they wanted to do. I have no problem with it cause i get to have my car dyno'd.

thanks for the info

[wu2x]

thanks for trying out the HPF intercooler! i'm a little wary with how it might fit so your testing is greatly appreciated.

[mineo77]

Originally Posted by wuNasty

thanks for trying out the HPF intercooler! i'm a little wary with how it might fit so your testing is greatly appreciated.

i will let you know as soon as i do.

[BahamaBart]

Originally Posted by mineo77

i agree, but that is what they wanted to do. I have no problem with it cause i get to have my car dyno'd.

thanks for the info

Free dyno is free dyno. If you want to pop your numbers put the IC in the freezer overnight.

[eunosracr]

After the tune, my FMIC was the next biggest bang for the buck. With the stock intercooler the car would simply die after a few hard runs. This was not the case once the FMIC was installed. Plus it looks mean as hell!

[red_stapler]

Originally Posted by mineo77

Been looking at FMIC, trying to figure out the benefits and downfalls of adding on to my car. Is turbo lag increased? what is the overall benefit?

there are nothing but benefits, especially on a tuned car.
I have the AA FMIC with a Dinan tune (among other upgrages). The FMIC is an all around great upgrade, but its not going to increase hp like DPs, a chip, or exhaust. I did other mods first, and the IC was a nice mod to finish things off.