A2W Intercooler
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From: Waldwick, NJ
A2W Intercooler Just wondering why most of you guys go with A2A as opposed to A2W.
I have no expierence with either so I don't know what the advantage or disadvantage is to either. But A2W seems like a cool idea because it can be easier to hide
So your opions please on each setup? Is there any maintenance with A2W?
Sorry if some questions might be stupid, i'm new to this, and anyway a stupid question is a question not asked
I have no expierence with either so I don't know what the advantage or disadvantage is to either. But A2W seems like a cool idea because it can be easier to hide
So your opions please on each setup? Is there any maintenance with A2W?
Sorry if some questions might be stupid, i'm new to this, and anyway a stupid question is a question not asked
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From: The point of no return...
From what I heard, the A2A is better for street use because the temps stay lower due to the constant flow of air. Once the fluid in an A2W intercooler is heated it stays that way. You can't replace it on the street as you could at the track after each run. It may take a while for water to heat up but once it does it will hold the heat and defeat the purpose of having an intercooler due to higher IAT's...I hope you get what I'm saying.
i dont get that nobody ever considers that a2w have a heat exchanger on the (water radiator)
the A2W will cost more, a bit more complex, but in my opinion a better system.
at first i too though an a2a was bettter for the street, but then mightmouse posted his IAT (without ice) and i compared them to some IAT that others have posted on there air to air setups, mightmouses temps were lower.
plus you have the option to ice the IC down and get those temps below ambient.
as long as the water is running through its own raidator, it wont get heat soak and will do a good job of cooling the system
the A2W will cost more, a bit more complex, but in my opinion a better system.
at first i too though an a2a was bettter for the street, but then mightmouse posted his IAT (without ice) and i compared them to some IAT that others have posted on there air to air setups, mightmouses temps were lower.
plus you have the option to ice the IC down and get those temps below ambient.
as long as the water is running through its own raidator, it wont get heat soak and will do a good job of cooling the system
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From: Waldwick, NJ
Originally Posted by smokinHawk
i dont get that nobody ever considers that a2w have a heat exchanger on the (water radiator)
the A2W will cost more, a bit more complex, but in my opinion a better system.
at first i too though an a2a was bettter for the street, but then mightmouse posted his IAT (without ice) and i compared them to some IAT that others have posted on there air to air setups, mightmouses temps were lower.
plus you have the option to ice the IC down and get those temps below ambient.
as long as the water is running through its own raidator, it wont get heat soak and will do a good job of cooling the system
the A2W will cost more, a bit more complex, but in my opinion a better system.
at first i too though an a2a was bettter for the street, but then mightmouse posted his IAT (without ice) and i compared them to some IAT that others have posted on there air to air setups, mightmouses temps were lower.
plus you have the option to ice the IC down and get those temps below ambient.
as long as the water is running through its own raidator, it wont get heat soak and will do a good job of cooling the system
yes in my opinion, but others may very.
so it depends on your goals and preferences.
would i put an A2W in something that was only going to make 500rwhp, no.
would i put an A2A in something that was going to make 1000rwhp or more, nope!
if you want a simple set up go with a A2A
so it depends on your goals and preferences.
would i put an A2W in something that was only going to make 500rwhp, no.
would i put an A2A in something that was going to make 1000rwhp or more, nope!
if you want a simple set up go with a A2A
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From: The point of no return...
I didn't consider the heat exchanger. I really don't know much about the FMIC's but I was going off of what I heard and it made sense to me. So, with the heat exchanger, on a daily driver the A2W would be a better choice? I know MM's car is a daily driver, what if the car has been driven for about 3 hours straight? Would there be any difference?
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Originally Posted by WS-Sick
I didn't consider the heat exchanger. I really don't know much about the FMIC's but I was going off of what I heard and it made sense to me. So, with the heat exchanger, on a daily driver the A2W would be a better choice? I know MM's car is a daily driver, what if the car has been driven for about 3 hours straight? Would there be any difference?
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
I had the Vortech air/water aftercooler and now have a FMIC. I blew my engine hot lapping at the track. I didn't let the water cool down between runs. If you were playing around on the street going WOT for several times you might also heat the water up and have problems. With the FMIC it cools right back down. Now with a race type kit like Mightymouse has it might be able to cool the water pretty fast due to a stonger pump + better heat exchanger (I also think that kit has a fan on the heat exchanger). Regardless I still would maintain that an air/ water cannot cool down near as fast as an air/air, so I would say air/air is better for the street with no worries versus the air/water which should be monitored maybe even with a gauge.
