Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

Air/water intercooling

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Old May 1, 2007 | 07:46 PM
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Default Air/water intercooling

Bueno Bueno. This isn't exactly LS1 related, though it pretty much applies to any car, and I want the opinions of the experienced here.

As some may know, I am building a 3.4l DOHC Fiero (We'll call it an LS1 Fiero so it doesn't get the lock...hehe). So anyways, I've put my LS1 in the back of my Fiero, but it isn't fast enough. So I buy a Garret dual ball bearing turbocharger, and throw that on. Since the Fiero is mid-engine, and space constraints are an issue, air/air intercooling is out of the equation, and I need an intercooler to keep charge temps down. So I am looking at air/water intercoolers. However, what worries me is that the water/coolant system adds a large amount of complexity over an air/air. Anyways, in an effort to save cost and time, here's my idea.

I will be removing the air conditioning system, as I don't need/want it. Could I leave the A/C condenser in the front of the car, along with the lines that run to and from the engine's A/C compressor, and use those for my air/water intercooler's liquid heat exchanger? So basically, buy the water pump/tank, and use the in-place air conditioning lines to run the water from the intercooler to the front of the car for the heat exchanger (aka A/C condenser).

Can the A/C condenser flow enough? Hold enough pressure without excessive pressure loss? Have good enough heat removal properties?

Thanks
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Old May 1, 2007 | 08:00 PM
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hmm seems like it should work
The front-mounted radiator for the water/air intercooler should be completely separate to the engine cooling radiator. Some turbo trucks use the engine coolant to cool the water/air intercooler, but their efficiency is much reduced by taking this approach. Suitable radiators that can be used include large oil coolers, car air conditioning condenser cores, and scrap domestic air conditioning condensers.
Taken from here, pretty good read
http://autospeed.drive.com.au/A_107760/cms/article.html

Last edited by frcefed98; May 1, 2007 at 08:07 PM.
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Old May 1, 2007 | 08:19 PM
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Wow, that was a good read, thanks a lot!

Now to find a pump. I liked their ideas on pump operation too, I was afraid of how long the water pump might last under continuous operation, but by using boost reference its life can be dramatically increased.
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Old May 1, 2007 | 08:20 PM
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Not a prob, had that saved under my book marks.
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Old May 1, 2007 | 08:22 PM
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That's where it is for me now
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Old May 1, 2007 | 08:26 PM
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read
http://www.xmission.com/~dempsey/shelby/turbo101.htm
read about the intercooler part and how it works.cant exactly flow like that and b4 u start,this post was just trying to be helpful so dont get nasty otherwise

Last edited by ddnspider; May 1, 2007 at 10:10 PM.
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Old May 1, 2007 | 08:28 PM
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send a PM to MightyMouse who D/D's his turbo A/W 1000rwhp car.
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Old May 1, 2007 | 08:36 PM
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Umm, I'm lost. That website was beyond worthless. And who said I was trying to flow air through my condenser?
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Old May 1, 2007 | 08:52 PM
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Youre not banned yet?
"The no-good, bad and ugly: A selective look at some forgettable cars
Rare "beauties" like the Prospector still lurk about - perhaps now only driven by college students and Uptown hipsters who have filled them with liberal bumper stickers, White Castle wrappers and books on Nietzsche. They're out there, so beware.

Pontiac Fiero: Originally pitched as a commuter car but ultimately perceived by the public as something more, the two-seat Fiero had a short tenure during the mid-1980s. The first year of Fiero production in 1984 was ushered in with 400-plus service bulletins and a recall for engine fires. Although the Fiero improved in subsequent years, issues such as a lack of power steering and problems driving in reverse may have doomed it."
im out
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Old May 1, 2007 | 09:14 PM
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no it will not flow enough water to support a system like that
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Old May 2, 2007 | 08:00 PM
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That's why my other car is a Limited Edition 12,000mi SuperSport, with the full SLP treatment.

Thanks otherwhitemeat, those are the kind of replies I'm looking for. Now the pumps that are generally used flow between 10-25 Liters/minute. This isn't very much flow at all, and I think very capable through the condenser, though I'm not sure what pressure it'd need to be maintained at, and I'm not sure if the pump could do so at those pressure levels (If any).
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