Intercooler
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 627
From: Florida
i had a w/a setup on my pickup truck and it worked well but it added a lot of weight. it was all up front, no rear cooler or anything, i used a second radiator in front of the stock one as the combined tank and heat exchanger. decent pump, 1" lines, overall it was well done for what it was. i towed, ripped stumps out, drove it everywhere and never had any thermal issues.
a/a is lighter, simpler, cheaper, but the w/a worked fine. 'better' is subjective.
a/a is lighter, simpler, cheaper, but the w/a worked fine. 'better' is subjective.
Launching!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 225
Likes: 47
From: Dayton, OH
There's an option here not mentioned that most guys do with an A2W at the track and that is adding ice and dumping the water after each run.
I agree and could see the water temp rising after each run, but I think this is also dependent on boost level and compressor discharge temp.
For me I'm using a fairly large turbo and not pushing it very hard, so my IAT's actually cool down when making a hit on the street which I assume is due to the added airflow through my intercooler.
All the guys I know who run A2W at the strip add ice before making a pass, drain the tank most of the way back in the pits, refill, then add ice before heading to the lanes.
I'd assume this method gets you the most benefit out of an A2W system but of course requires more planning, bring lots of ice in a chest for example.
I agree and could see the water temp rising after each run, but I think this is also dependent on boost level and compressor discharge temp.
For me I'm using a fairly large turbo and not pushing it very hard, so my IAT's actually cool down when making a hit on the street which I assume is due to the added airflow through my intercooler.
All the guys I know who run A2W at the strip add ice before making a pass, drain the tank most of the way back in the pits, refill, then add ice before heading to the lanes.
I'd assume this method gets you the most benefit out of an A2W system but of course requires more planning, bring lots of ice in a chest for example.
Interchillers
Killer Chiller
I did the math on this about 5 years ago. It works. The HP gain from colder IAT's far exceeds the HP consumed to run the AC system.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 347
Likes: 66
From: Tucson, AZ
Originally Posted by SteveJewels
There is another option too, mechanical refrigeration. It uses the gas side of your AC to chill the water. You can plumb it to have the charge air cooling system running but not the AC for your car so you don't have drips from the AC system at the track.
Interchillers
Killer Chiller
I did the math on this about 5 years ago. It works. The HP gain from colder IAT's far exceeds the HP consumed to run the AC system.
Interchillers
Killer Chiller
I did the math on this about 5 years ago. It works. The HP gain from colder IAT's far exceeds the HP consumed to run the AC system.
What have you seen people using for ac solenoids?
That is really cool. This is definitely something I'm looking into for a future build. The hp cost piece is interesting, but doesn't the compressor turn off after a certain % of throttle position? If that is the case, it wouldn't really cost you anything on your run.
What have you seen people using for ac solenoids?
What have you seen people using for ac solenoids?
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 230
Likes: 73
From: south florida
@randeez did an AC cooler type setup in his Denali, seemed like it worked amazing, water temps down around 34 degrees.
I hear you, I would have some condensation concerns too but let's just assume he can coat it it or have some other sort of safety solution that works.
Then what is your answer?
Then what is your answer?
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Launching!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 230
Likes: 73
From: south florida
pros of the intake mounted - less charge pipe, easier fab/packaging, the shearer fab moves the throttle body about 4" back
i have the 1800hp rated shearer fab, 13ish gallons of coolant (10 gal tank, a lot of 16an hose, intercooler) , bmw/peirburg 400 pump...overkill for most people but i had the room and weight isnt a concern.
the base of the TSP is larger than the holley iirc, so should have more surface area.
Teching In
Joined: May 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Yes, as you said, depending on the demand for cooling.
Water has much more capacity to carry heat and, if the A2W core is good and well done, will pull more heat out of the charge air just like a 6.0 Powerstroke intercooler does. The other end, getting the heat out of the water, is the consideration. Drag or roll racing where the heat occurs only for a short time, you can get the heat out of the water. If you are running the FI system longer, the water temp rises and it takes longer to get the water temp down. Until you do it does not cool the charge air as much.
And yes, people have DIY'd a A2W system. You can buy the individual parts, heat exchanger, radiator, pump, tank and so on. The tricky part is the water and charge air plumbing.
Water has much more capacity to carry heat and, if the A2W core is good and well done, will pull more heat out of the charge air just like a 6.0 Powerstroke intercooler does. The other end, getting the heat out of the water, is the consideration. Drag or roll racing where the heat occurs only for a short time, you can get the heat out of the water. If you are running the FI system longer, the water temp rises and it takes longer to get the water temp down. Until you do it does not cool the charge air as much.
And yes, people have DIY'd a A2W system. You can buy the individual parts, heat exchanger, radiator, pump, tank and so on. The tricky part is the water and charge air plumbing.