[94' Cobra 351]

I'm planning on a force inducted 393, and am wondering what are ALL the advantages of running an intercooler?

also, how much more advantageous is it to run a air to water inter cooler over an air to air inter cooler?

thanks for the help.

[TurboLX]

There are two types of intercoolers: air-to-air and air-to-water. Air-to-air means that as the charge passes through the intercooler, the intercooler itself is cooled by air flowing through its fins. Picture your car's radiator but substitute the intake air where the coolant goes and you'll have a rough idea of how it works. In an air-to-water intercooler, the intercooler is cooled by a liquid rather than air; this liquid has its own radiator placed where it can receive airflow, hoses connect this radiator to the intercooler itself, and the liquid must be circulated throughout the entire system.

Each type of intercooler has its strength and weakness. Air-to-air units tend to require longer ducting to route the air from the turbo through the intercooler then back to the engine; this extra tubing might increase lag slightly on some engines and may also present interesting packaging challenges. Air-to-water units, however, can have significantly shorter intake plumbing; the intercooler can be placed in hot underhood areas where no airflow is present since the liquid coolant circulates to its radiator. This allows for simpler installation but at an expense of reduced cooling efficiency. Note that both kinds cool better when air is flowing through the intercooler (air-to-air) or the radiator (air-to-water); both kinds can benefit from the installation of a fan for low-speed operation.

Which type is better? Depends on your goal. From where I sit it seems that air-to-water intercoolers are used either for convenience--to eliminate the possible ducting nightmare of the intake--or for drag-only vehicles where a "one shot" setup uses ice to actually drop charge air temps below ambient... for a very short while. I think it is telling that a number of street cars which featured air-to-water intercoolers from the factory--such as the GMC Syclone and Typhoon--are almost always converted to air-to-air units when upping performance is the goal. Check out an issue of Turbo magazine; you'll see these cars with huge air-to-air units mounted below the front bumber (or else behind the grill and in front of the radiator).

[94' Cobra 351]

I understand how they work, i was wondering what all the benefits were? from my basic knowledge, it seems an intercooler would increase power but by how much? it also seems like it would allow you to run more boost and help prevent detonation

[matrixpuba]

they increase power by lowering intake temps which alows you to run the same if not more timing at a higher boost level.

[TurboLX]

and also you gotta know if you want 1 core 2 core or 3 core depending how much you plan to run

[94' Cobra 351]

i will be running between 12-15 pounds i am guessing.

[TurboLX]

then a 2 core should be fine

[SALIV8]

air to water is 100x better than air to air. the cooler the air the denser the charge, the more power.

[03_StangGuy]

The intercooler itself doesnt really increase power but it makes them more efficient, and allow you to make more power. Another benifit is the reduction of heat sink, after drivin for a while the underhood temps heat everythin up, an intercooler will help combat this keepin the air denser and keepin the power up! That alone should ne reason enough for anyone whos drives their car round town to get one.

[DrHolliday]

Inter coolers do not add power. They allow you to run higher boost on lower octane fuel. Or you can increase your timing to get more power b/c of the cooler charge temp.

So basically you can run 15 psi of boost with no I/C but you would need racing fuel. Or you can I/C it and get the same power on pump gas.

[94' Cobra 351]

Originally Posted by DrHolliday Inter coolers do not add power. They allow you to run higher boost on lower octane fuel. Or you can increase your timing to get more power b/c of the cooler charge temp. So basically you can run 15 psi of boost with no I/C but you would need racing fuel. Or you can I/C it and get the same power on pump gas.

I don't understand how they don't add power. Does colder intake air not equal more power? Do cars not have better 1/4 mile times when it is cooler than when it is hotter? Does your car not make more power in the winter when its cold than the summer?

[TurboLX]

yes they can add power but its not a big gain, it cools the intake charge

[TurboLX]

Originally Posted by DrHolliday Inter coolers do not add power. They allow you to run higher boost on lower octane fuel. Or you can increase your timing to get more power b/c of the cooler charge temp. So basically you can run 15 psi of boost with no I/C but you would need racing fuel. Or you can I/C it and get the same power on pump gas.

wtf????

[matrixpuba]

Originally Posted by DrHolliday Inter coolers do not add power. They allow you to run higher boost on lower octane fuel. Or you can increase your timing to get more power b/c of the cooler charge temp. So basically you can run 15 psi of boost with no I/C but you would need racing fuel. Or you can I/C it and get the same power on pump gas.

you cant be serious

[94' Cobra 351]

yeah, i guess i didn't really make it known, but i was being sarcastic...

I'm pretty sure a s/c running 12 psi won't make as much power as a s/c running 12 psi with an intercooler AND HAVE THE EXACT SAME TUNE

[TurboLX]

yea the setup with the IC would make more power

[TurboLX]

Originally Posted by matrixpuba Originally Posted by DrHolliday Inter coolers do not add power. They allow you to run higher boost on lower octane fuel. Or you can increase your timing to get more power b/c of the cooler charge temp. So basically you can run 15 psi of boost with no I/C but you would need racing fuel. Or you can I/C it and get the same power on pump gas. you cant be serious

+1

[matrixpuba]

i bet i messed up my motor by running the procharger with an intercooler without c16 lol

[TurboLX]

Originally Posted by matrixpuba i bet i messed up my motor by running the procharger with an intercooler without c16 lol

might wanna check it

[DrHolliday]

Originally Posted by TurboLX Originally Posted by DrHolliday Inter coolers do not add power. They allow you to run higher boost on lower octane fuel. Or you can increase your timing to get more power b/c of the cooler charge temp. So basically you can run 15 psi of boost with no I/C but you would need racing fuel. Or you can I/C it and get the same power on pump gas. wtf????

If it cooled the air before it was boosted it would make more power. The air is already boosted and metered by the MAF. Then you cool it. That does not make power. Its still the same amount of air. Your not magaically putting more O2 in the air by cooling it down.

Hot boosted air will ping. You need to cool it down, raise your fuel octane, or retard your timing to get it to stop pinging.