Intercooler brand
how much loss, depends on how much you're trying to put through it. They're all variables.
Pre/post temps might not correlate to pre/post pressure, or power.
What if you test 2 intercoolers and the one with better temperature drop makes less power but at less PSI,
do you increase boost to try and match the boost curve of the one with less temp drop, more pressure drop, but higher final boost pressure and power?
For the vast majority of people the Treadstone or Bell level of IC is perfectly fine, used both at 1000+hp logs were all good. Would I like a Garrett, sure but I don't want to pay extra for it when something cheaper works for my power level. As you say, who cares what boost level is at!
Very true, there comes a point where you run out of boost. You cant pulley down or spin it any harder and you have to increase efficiency.
So if they have poor intake flow going through them from bad design, they also have poor flow passing over the cooling fins for the same reasons.
Doesn't always hold true though, in the cases of using intercoolers that are too small.
The core design can be phenomenal, with too few rows to flow the appropriate amount of air, but the air passing through the cooling fins are able to cool with incredible efficiency.
Splitting hairs I assume, but would prove relevant in a test.
I guess the best way would be to test 3 intercoolers of identical dimensions for temp/pressure drop and power.
I have identical ebay and treadstone intercoolers already, I just don't think its worth the cash to get a Garrett core for this test alone.
So if they have poor intake flow going through them from bad design, they also have poor flow passing over the cooling fins for the same reasons.
Doesn't always hold true though, in the cases of using intercoolers that are too small.
The core design can be phenomenal, with too few rows to flow the appropriate amount of air, but the air passing through the cooling fins are able to cool with incredible efficiency.
Splitting hairs I assume, but would prove relevant in a test.
I guess the best way would be to test 3 intercoolers of identical dimensions for temp/pressure drop and power.
I have identical ebay and treadstone intercoolers already, I just don't think its worth the cash to get a Garrett core for this test alone.
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I would even class my own extruded core design as fairly bad. It probably flows very well, but cooling abilities would be pretty ****.
If only Garrett would get their ******* act together and make the core size I want...and actually have it for sale, instead of listing it everywhere and it not being available !
But it's a little naive on the technology or whatever way you want to call it. A simple tube with a few fins could be classed as an intercooler...and not a new design either. But actual implementation of that "heat exchanger technology" would be ****. But it is a heat exchanger.
And you can't lump all the cheap coolers into one... There are diffent designs
The typical bar plate like the treadstone and CX are not going to have dick for pressure drop. The turbulator density is wide open..... It flows great, thermally .... Meh
Then you have the cheap tube cores.... Those you are damn right can flow like dick and have major pressure drop
There are 2 parts to a cooler.... Thermal exchanger and flow volume
Why you can take different combos at the same power level and have different needs.
Take a 3L 2jz or a 6.0 lsx running at 1500hp
The 2jz is only going to have ~ half the flow volume (airspeed) in the core...... But yet have much more heat to deal with from the higher PR
The LS is far less heat but far more flow volume.... Even at identical power levels (mass air flow through core)
Last edited by rotary1307cc; Jan 7, 2020 at 08:35 AM.
If cheaper Garrett's (under $1000) are available in the same form factor as the Treadstones I'd like to take a look.
http://chiseledperformance.net/intercoolers.htm
It really isnt that hard to make up some end tanks. Or you could even buy a cheap **** IC for $100 and cut the end tanks off and use them
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intercooler...IAAOSwS3NcXeBc
And to even suggest a cheap ***** China core is made the same and is as efficient as a proper Garrett core...clearly has zero understanding of what one does, and how it is constructed.
This is a very old article now, but still decent info and examples to cover the basics
https://www.are.com.au/techtalk/intecoolersMR.htm
http://chiseledperformance.net/intercoolers.htm
1300HP Air To Air Intercooler
- Garrett Bar and Plate Core
- Core Measures 27.8x 12.7 x 5.1
- Overall 32.5 x 12.7 x 5.1
- Bell Bar and Plate Core
- Core Measures 18x 12 x 6
- Overal size 22.5 x 12 x 6
It really isnt that hard to make up some end tanks. Or you could even buy a cheap **** IC for $100 and cut the end tanks off and use them
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intercooler...IAAOSwS3NcXeBc
And to even suggest a cheap ***** China core is made the same and is as efficient as a proper Garrett core...clearly has zero understanding of what one does, and how it is constructed.
This is a very old article now, but still decent info and examples to cover the basics
https://www.are.com.au/techtalk/intecoolersMR.htm
funny side note , I've Ben to the HOLLEY LS fest in Kentucky and talked to people with turbo cars/trucks , and asked them if the dynoed or dyno tuned it . their answer ... No , I got it off eBay .wich tells me try are just after a LOOK of intimidation .
funny side note , I've Ben to the HOLLEY LS fest in Kentucky and talked to people with turbo cars/trucks , and asked them if the dynoed or dyno tuned it . their answer ... No , I got it off eBay .wich tells me try are just after a LOOK of intimidation .









Would just be easier to get someone to loan me their nice intercooler haha.





