Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Is it worth upgrading the intercooler in a UK car??

I've noticed that the intercooler on my car is a bit 'mashed up' and toyed with the idea of an uprated item.

Where can I get one from?? Is it actually worth doing?? Anyone with one fitted??

Cheers
Andy

ric

Seems very expensive for the power/torque gains you have.
Std. one is really not bad! If I was you, looking after better intercooling, I fitted a better pipe system from turbocharger to intercooler (have a look at in in your car....really bad...or do you have STI?) and a water spray system onto the intercooler....in my opinion the same gains as with uprated intercooler.
ric

Andrew Dixon

Tru straightening up the intercooler fins with a cocktail stick so that the air can flow freely through the whole surface of the intercooler. It made a difference on my car, especially at 'higher' speeds!

Andrew

R19KET

Andy,

I've just uprated mine to a MRT top mount, thanks to Mike at Scooby Mania.

Unless you intend to really run high boost, you won't get much benifit. Uprating the turbo > IC pipe (Samco do a kit) will help with flow, but will have little or no effect on inlet temps. The whole reason for uprating the IC.

If you think the IC is getting too hot, get the inlet temp checked first. Could save you a lot of money.

Andrews suggestion of straightening the fins is very good advice. It's worth taking the IC of to do the bottem too. Especially if you've had your D/P changed (bottom fins seem to take a hammering !).

I know Bob Rawle did some tests, and found his inlet temps dropped by several deg' after the fins were sorted.

Mark.

Danny Fisher

It would also be an idea to wrap the downpipe and headers, this would drop the engine bay temp a hell of a lot.

Dan

Mo

Does wrapping the downpipe and headers really work that well? I have hed people both tell me for and against!!

Mo

Does wrapping the downpipe and headers really work that well? I have had people both tell me for and against!!