Help with intercooler size selection?
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Teching In
Joined: Mar 2016
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Help with intercooler size selection? I am building a turbo 4.8 in a first gen s10 truck and using a 88mm On3 and shooting for 700whp. Is there a mathematical equation to how many cfm or something the cooler should flow?
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 19
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From: Southern California
I'm kinda in the same boat at the moment. My setup calls for something in the 31x12x? Sort of range. So, being able to narrow down the selection based on size, I started searching for flow data. Some companies claim 1050cfm and other relatively affordable companies claim 1250cfm, but I can't find any graphs. From what I can tell, the best compromise between price and performance, according to the threads I've seen is Mishimoto. They have different thicknesses of cores within the same height and width dimensions as well for different powered applications.
Edit: with that being said, your budget is going to determine if you can afford to purchase from a company who spent the money on good R&D. They are going to cost substantially more, but only because a substantial amount of money has gone into making them work, and generally they are the ones who have the graphs to prove it. eBay is a toss up.
Edit: with that being said, your budget is going to determine if you can afford to purchase from a company who spent the money on good R&D. They are going to cost substantially more, but only because a substantial amount of money has gone into making them work, and generally they are the ones who have the graphs to prove it. eBay is a toss up.
I think most guys with S10's, run a 31 x 12 x 3. Cost/flow, is up to you. MOST of the time, you end up with back pressure issues on the On3 exhaust turbine as the limiting factor from what I have seen/read. My opinion is to start with a cheaper I/C, monitor pressure drop, and see IF that becomes a problem. It's semi obvious, your wanting to keep a budget, or you wouldn't be running a On3. I am not bashing you on this, just trying to emphasize my point.
9 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
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From: Norn Iron
An open pipe will flow a lot...but wont cool for ****.
A really dense core might cool a lot, but may not flow for ****.
So flow numbers can mean very little, HP ratings can mean very little.
Bottom line....use as good a quality unit as you can afford and fit the biggest possible unit you can.
Keep it simple.
A really dense core might cool a lot, but may not flow for ****.
So flow numbers can mean very little, HP ratings can mean very little.
Bottom line....use as good a quality unit as you can afford and fit the biggest possible unit you can.
Keep it simple.
Restricted User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
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From: Ohio
CFM flow numbers on intercoolers are (most of the time) pointless.
The actual CFM demand from the engine won't be any higher than if it was N/A.
An intercooler that flows 1200 CFM is good for almost 800 HP BEFORE adding boost. At 15 PSI that would be enough flow for 1600 HP. You see where this is going.
The actual CFM demand from the engine won't be any higher than if it was N/A.
An intercooler that flows 1200 CFM is good for almost 800 HP BEFORE adding boost. At 15 PSI that would be enough flow for 1600 HP. You see where this is going.
