intercooler question
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2007
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intercooler question i am a fabricator but im not to sure about building my own intercooler.. im just wondering how big is to big.. the car has a Lq9 with a single 88... i really dont want to buy a intercooler.. any input is really appreciated.. thanks in advance
Last edited by rice4eatingnotdrivin; Sep 27, 2009 at 02:15 PM.
how big is too big? when you can't make it fit. even though there are good deals to be had out there for 150 or so sometimes cheaper isn't always better. an intercooler is the second most important part in a turbo system next to the turbo or turbos. Dual density cores still offer better cooling yet. Not saying you should go that way but it is better to go overkill once rather than doing just enough and then paying a 150 more than you should have once you buy the dual density intercooler
TECH Enthusiast
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The only downside to making it larger is increased boost response time... but in a drag racing application, that would be minor compared to the benefits of properly cooling the air.
Have you considered both air to air and air to water designs?
Have you considered both air to air and air to water designs?
8 sec potential, 12 sec slip
iTrader: (50)
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Savannah, GA
A cheap $150 ebay air-air IC can do wonders! Its waaaayyyyy better than none at all, and if you start talking money per efficiency, an ebay a2a is still at the top of the list too. Yes, you can spend $900 or more on an intercooler with better efficiency, but is the extra 10% of efficiency really worth a 500% price increase? To some hardcore racers, yes, maybe. But for the every day street guy, probably not.
As far as fabrication goes, if you have a welder and a way to cut pipe, its super easy to build your own setup. I wouldnt run an FI car without an intercooler at all.
Oh, and get the biggest one you can fit. There isn't such thing as too big..
As far as fabrication goes, if you have a welder and a way to cut pipe, its super easy to build your own setup. I wouldnt run an FI car without an intercooler at all.
Oh, and get the biggest one you can fit. There isn't such thing as too big..
Teching In
Joined: May 2009
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From: melbourne, fl
i think he means how big can he go before it doesnt fit anymore. i saw some bar/plate coolers for couple hundred on ebay. looked reliable, prolly what im gonna do when i get to it. just search 26x12x4 i think. might be able to go bigger, but im not too sure on it... i think that is core size too...
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8 sec potential, 12 sec slip
iTrader: (50)
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Savannah, GA
WEll, that would depend on the car then lol.. For a 4th gen f-body, typically people use a 24x12x4 core. Im not sure of the overall length, think 32 maybe? Just search for 24x12x4 core size and thatll be the one. 
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Verdad Gallardo i have a ebay intercooler on my truck 24x12x4 or maybe 26 dont really remember but for 170 i think i payed, the blower side is around 270-280deg. and the cooled side is 90 100 on a 80 deg day they are not bad for the price
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2007
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car is a air to air setup. i cant afford to do a air to water right now.... maybe in a year or to...
as far as the ebay IC... id do that but i already have the material and all the equipment to build my own.. im not going against anything u guys are saying cuz u are saving me money but i just like to build my own stuff...
thanks for all the info... i really appreciate it
as far as the ebay IC... id do that but i already have the material and all the equipment to build my own.. im not going against anything u guys are saying cuz u are saving me money but i just like to build my own stuff...
thanks for all the info... i really appreciate it
Here is mine. 24X12X6 Core. I think it's 32" from end tank to end tank. You can't fit anything bigger than this in the front without getting into some serious fab work. As it is, I had to cut off the horns that hold the stock bumper support.
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2008
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Match the intercooler core with the power/flow you plan on producing. If you use a larger than necessary core, you could limit the available ambient air flow/velocity to the radiator or other heat exchangers behind the intercooler. From experience, Garrett and Bell cores weld nicely 
Garrett Cores
Bell Cores
Garrett Cores
Bell Cores
is that custom or bought?yea building things on your own, hell yes you have so much more pride in the build, my project is also alot of custom making and fabing
It is my understanding that it was originally built by LS1Speed/SpeedInc using a Bell core. I believe that they use a similar sized one on their twin turbo Fbody shop car. A guy from BMR bought it to use in an FBody build but then he changed directions and decided to build a vette instead. Obviously there is nowhere to hide it in a vette so I snagged it from the LS1tech classifieds NIB for $500.
There are deals out there. You just have to be patient. You can't build this thing for $500. I believe the core alone costs more than that.
There are deals out there. You just have to be patient. You can't build this thing for $500. I believe the core alone costs more than that. Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 184
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Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
well its not just the pride it also has to do with starting up my own business.. ive done alot of welding for a few people and they were very happy with me and my work... lets just say if they need the fabrication and welding i get the call over many companys that are local by me... i enjoy doing this type of stuff and would love to make it a career... so this car is pretty much a my movin bill board for my fabrication and welding...
