"black" intercoolers
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,621
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From: THORNTON, PA (NEAR PHILLY)
"black" intercoolers Saw some black ebay intercoolers. Naturally the 1st thing that comes to mind is that its efficiency may be compromised due to the paint/coating. But how much a negative impact can the coloring possibly have?
I don't know if there is any proof for this but I have heard in the past that powder coating with a wrinkle finish added more surface area for heat to escape from making the intercooler more efficient.
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2010
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If you've ever opened up an intercooler or ripped one apart, you'd be amazed at the surface area inside the thing. A coat of paint on the surface isn't going to affect performance in the least bit anyways. Paint conducts heat too and a thin layer isn't exactly a great insulator. Just don't cake paint inside the fins to the point that no air can pass through
Most people who go crazy when someone paints an intercooler have little to no knowledge of thermodynamics.
This is why it doesn't matter that some radiators and intercoolers have plastic end tanks. The fins do the vast majority of thermal transfer. (probably more than 99%)
Last edited by killernoodle; Jan 31, 2012 at 01:33 PM.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: F22 Secret Lair (aka) The "Austin Millbarge"
You should inquire as to whether it's actual paint/powder coat or a thermal dispersant coating. If it is indeed paint or powder coat they may have compromised the heat exchanging capabilities of the intercooler.
What do you have to back statement up with? Any proof?
What percentage of loss are you suggesting as well?
Reason I ask is because no else seems to think its an issue and some have done testing themselves (if you read the others posts, you would have seen this).
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 53
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From: F22 Secret Lair (aka) The "Austin Millbarge"
Did you read any of the other posts before writing yours???
What do you have to back statement up with? Any proof?
What percentage of loss are you suggesting as well?
Reason I ask is because no else seems to think its an issue and some have done testing themselves (if you read the others posts, you would have seen this).
What do you have to back statement up with? Any proof?
What percentage of loss are you suggesting as well?
Reason I ask is because no else seems to think its an issue and some have done testing themselves (if you read the others posts, you would have seen this).
The reason why most folks would see negligible change in their IAT's is because they're simply not cycling the intercooler with enough heat to actually see any drastic changes either way.
As far as a percentage loss, well, that'll be difficult to determine in such a broad spectrum, under variable conditions. However, the radiation constant of a black body is 5.67 and aluminum/copper around 0.28.
All in all, the idea is to transfer heat from your charge air via conduction into the intercooler and pass it on via convection from the airflow through it. Not to essentially turn the intercooler into one huge radiator, as in the example of the house furnace above.
You act as though I gave the OP bad advice. But hey, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, what can I say?
I feel as though the intercooler will do its job as long as the air can flow through its fins.
For example Subaru's have mounted their intercoolers square on top of their engine's...they work very well at doing their job.
Could more power be made by converting to a front mount? Probably...
I fell as though the intercooler will be doing most of its work while the car is in motion...so plenty of air will be flowing through it.
For example Subaru's have mounted their intercoolers square on top of their engine's...they work very well at doing their job.
Could more power be made by converting to a front mount? Probably...
I fell as though the intercooler will be doing most of its work while the car is in motion...so plenty of air will be flowing through it.
