intercooler jet spray

[Jet]

I am thinking of putting a water spray to my intercooler(stock)

before I do that, I'd like to ask if theres any down side for this?

anything I need to be aware of ?

[akeenan]

do a search on this dude ive looked up this before and theres a bit of info

[rev210]

the down side is it doesn't do much at all. Under high load and boost it does virtually nothing. It helps to cool the ic down quicker after a period of boost (ie: works ok when 'off' boost to remove heat soak faster).

Water or alcohol injection on the other hand is worthwhile.

[ed]

rev, would you inject the water after/before the intercooler?

[rev210]

ed,

the injection kits availible are designed for 'after' the intercooler, as they are aimed at the combustion process. The water or alcohol needs to remain 'atomised' when entering the head.

[GTS-t VSPEC]

I think the only issue with the water kits is if it doens't atomise properly, has the potential to do damage, whereas alcohol will just burn.

See'ya:burnout:

[Sydneykid]

Hi Guys, the real world effect of water spray on intercoolers is something I must get back to data logging one day. I have only had one day's exposure to this when I filled in for a rally data log interpreter at the Canberra Rally a few years back. The team had an Evo with an intercooler water sprayer (actually metho and water sprayer would be more accurate).

I was mainly doing suspension data analysis, but I did sneak a peek at the engine log a couple of times. The effect of the spray on the inlet temperatures was quite noticeable, which was a bit of a surprise to me. Up to then I always though of them as a bit of band aid really. Why not just put the right sized intercooler on in the first place? I guess the issue was to do with the homologated sizes and airflow to the radiator, which stopped them having a whopping great intercooler. Plus it may also have to do with response, as a whopping great intercooler is going to slow that down and rally cars need good response.

Unfortunately no numbers, so I will have to have a go at doing it on the circuit race car, maybe next summer.

Bottom line, I guess the manufacturers would not have bothered homologating it if it didn't work.

Hope that adds to the discussion.

[rev210]

Sydneykid,

I have tried (still have) a pieltier and heat sink attached to my intercooler and also used 'freeze spray'. Some time ago I made a design for the freeze spray to be mounted and activated by a switch in the cabin (which autospeed kindly published in an artcile on freeze spraying intercoolers). The Autospeed article did some testing on a dyno (not ideal due to un-realistic airflow) and it revealed a very small increase with freeze spray and almost none with a water spray.

What I have found is that both the systems offer little extra full boost power, but are very good at bringing temps down quicker when the throttle is lifted or the car is at rest.

The air movement at speed is different to a dyno environment and as this is super critical to intercooler function the dyno has to be taken with a grain of salt.

[Sydneykid]

Ooh rev210, that's tricky, so you have the cold side of the peltier (I spell it with only one "i", is that right?) attached to the cooler and the hot side to the heatsink? Very clever.

On the water spray I would have the "on" connected to the brake pedal, that way it will spray on the grid before the start and during the race in each braking area. That way, when I get on the power out of the corner, the cooler will be as cool as possible. A can of freeze spray would run out too quick, ok for a drag car though.

You're right about air flow on dynos, we have three fans and that barely simulates 60 kph. Need a wind tunnel.

Hope that stimulates some other thoughts.

[BOOSTMEISTER]

Unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing or someone else does NEVER EVER inject anything into the intake. This is for serious tuners only and is a true receipy for disaster if not done corectly.

On a road car the expense of setting up a good spray system is similar to haveing a dump made for the turbo and that will provide much higher gains, on the road you will be likely to forget about it after a week or so anyway. I have had one in two cars of mine and never noticed any difference. Only time I did was in my mates turbo starlet with top mount, that helped heaps until water got down around the plugs

[rev210]

Yeah the alcohol injection works a treat and for someone who has moderate car knowledge, the better kits are very easy to setup.

Isopropyl is the go for an injection substance and allows 'much' higher boost levels.

[Lozza150]

Isopropyl is also good for cleaning surfaces and cassette tapes...(yes they once existed)....

[2rismo]

Isopropyl Alcohol is just that... Another type of alcohol. Not refuting any claims here mind you... just pointing out to anyone reading that isn't familiar with the name that 'Isopropyl' isn't a substance by itself...

The chemistry lab lady at high school used to wonder why we kept asking for half litres of it every couple of weeks...

we just said we had to clean a LOT of really BIG fax machines

Adrian

[Jet]

I just got one fitted. didnt notice too much of difference, maybe the weather isnt hot enough. but Theoretically it should work

but I am worried if some of the water will follow the air induct and goes into the engoin? or I am worrying too much?