To Intercool Or Not To Intercool

[Factory 5]

Just at the final stages of the L24et project.

Im running out of time. And with basically 5 weekends left to work on it, there is ALOT to do.

Can I ask, what are the benefits of intercooling a low psi, medium power output engine? Im only looking at 6 to 8psi (due to the shit injectors) and wouldnt see more than 130 or so kW.

I am in 2 minds whether to just route the piping from turbo outlet straight into the throttle body (would have instant response, as the pipes etc would only be 80cm or so long)

OR

Get holes cut in my radiator support panel, the mounting tabs on the headlight trimmed, and the XR6 intercooler mounted in the front. Downside to this is its more of an attraction to anyone inspecting under my bonnet, plus the holes in the metal work, and also the front grille will need noticable trimming

This would cool very effectively too, probably enable me to run more boost, and less prone to detonation when summer comes along with the 35 degree temps....

Another option I have been given(by a reputable workshop involved in racing/rally since the 1980's) is water injection, with a small brass nozzle and high pressure pump. Plus a hobbs switch to come on at 3 to 4 psi. THey say this setup was used in some safari rally in high temps etc and worked flawlessly. (bonus is it doesnt require hole cutting or further bastardisation of the panels and trim)

Just thought to read a few opinions....

Post away, please just one per person, no slanging matches etc.

[zebra]

Intercooler alll the way, if you dont want to cut the car up than get a water to air cooler.

www.frozenboost.com

[mad082]

yeah +1 for the cooler. either air/air or water/air. it will give you more power and reducing the chances of pinging. you will be able to run more boost and more timing.

[Daewoo]

You need to remember that most here won't know the ACT Laws.

Why are you worried about cutting the radiator support and bastardising the grille??? Just looks or is it illegal???

I know the ACT Rally guys constantly have trouble being sent to Dickson and having to remove stuff like bonnet pins...

If you can do it legally, Air to Air Intercooler for sure... if not, lower boost, no intercooler is still good... water injection should be considered as a 'nice to have' option with either, but isn't really a solution, more just insurance...

Cheers,

Daewoo

[works 510]

intercool.

I only run 7psi but the difference between both is noticable

R31 with rb30e + T

[Ghostrider]

PM Sent

[Factory 5]

Ok, I just picked up 2m of 63mm stainless (2.5 inch) for $80, 5 x silicone bends/joiners at $20 each, and 11 x hose clamps (heavey duty t-bolt style) for $60

the XR6 intercooler was $80 on fleabay 2 years ago

so parts alone for this exercise is now $320 (havent included BOV and fittings yet)

for the quality of parts this is fair I think. I could of gone cheap shitty stuff and likely halved the price, but if its worth doing, do it well.

cheers for the responses. along with the semi-stupid articles on autospeed, I have decided to intercool it. IF i do really run out of time, the parts here will be able to be adapted to a 'J-pipe' from turbo to throttle body.

I would say that intercooling will be the last on the list. (exhaust/fuel/oil number one priority)

[BensDR30]

Ok, I just picked up 2m of 63mm stainless (2.5 inch) for $80, 5 x silicone bends/joiners at $20 each, and 11 x hose clamps (heavey duty t-bolt style) for $60

the XR6 intercooler was $80 on fleabay 2 years ago

so parts alone for this exercise is now $320 (havent included BOV and fittings yet)

for the quality of parts this is fair I think. I could of gone cheap shitty stuff and likely halved the price, but if its worth doing, do it well.

cheers for the responses. along with the semi-stupid articles on autospeed, I have decided to intercool it. IF i do really run out of time, the parts here will be able to be adapted to a 'J-pipe' from turbo to throttle body.

I would say that intercooling will be the last on the list. (exhaust/fuel/oil number one priority)

For less that that you could have a bolt-in kit from my old MR30 L-turbo FMIC setup...

(never mind!)

The only metalwork mods required were to enlarge the radiator overflow-bottle mounting slots and trim 2 slats of the grille - that was only needed 'cause I fitted an intercooler fan.

You certainly won't need t-bolt clamps for 0.5-bar, but you've bought them now.

[Factory 5]

Well I thougth that if in the future I could re-use the parts on a bigger setup, like VG30DET running 18psi and Wolf 3d, in my 300zx-Z31.

The clamps are tawainese still, but better than the screw type things for radiator hoses....

[noddle]

Use a intercooler if you can.

it halved my air intake temp

http://noddle.110mb.com/Turbo%20Upgrade/index.html

Nigel

Edited July 23, 2010 by noddle

[jrh001]

Hi MAGS,

You've replaced the radiator with one from a manual so you're fitting a transmission cooler. The intercooler isn't small. I presume you've also got aircon so there's a condensor and receiver/dryer on one side and the electric fan on the other. Then there's the grille. Where will it all fit? Or will you mount something outside? (Shakotan style).

JH

[FJ20DR30]

hey Mate

if you have no time and have the factory L series turbo pipe just bolt it up and run it, when you consider the boost your going to run and the time you have there is no real benifit to cut an pasting and intercooler untill after you have the whole thing running + its still winter lol

dont get me wront intercoolers will help and are a almost a must on a modified turbo car but given your situation at present id wait till after nationals rather than rushing around and chancing not being ready???

just my take on this

[Ghostrider]

Well said Marc, I sent him a PM saying nearly those exact same words with the addition of telling him where an L28et J pipe was available & if he couldn't afford it I would arrange it for him and have it in about 10 days.

I'm in a similar position with my PNV only I'm trying to make it concourse and replacing the damaged parts is becoming a pain. As it is, due to a $3600.00 price tag to freight my DR both ways, I'm working on the HR only.

I really don't know why the question was asked under the circumstances.

Cheers, D

[Factory 5]

Really the main concern was that the HR30 never came out intercooled, so its yet another thing to add to the engineers... yay

Plus the time constraints. and the dollars.

10 days is too long to wait for USDM J-pipe. plus there is no guarantee it will fit the RB20det turbo and the custom outlet I got made. Also when I put on the R34 Neo turbo, this setup can be easily adapted (just realign a few joiners)

well i just blew %30 of my budget on it so I may as well go ahead with it.

as for making it all fit.... it is VERY tight with the aricon gear, the trans cooler,

the aircon fan which will be put to rather good use

i'll get some pics once sorted.

one thing for sure, this stainless steel is farking hard to cut... with a hacksaw it has taken me 30 min for one cut plus 3 blades!

[Ghostrider]

well i just blew %30 of my budget on it so I may as well go ahead with it.

one thing for sure, this stainless steel is farking hard to cut... with a hacksaw it has taken me 30 min for one cut plus 3 blades!

Budgets aren't a good thing when your working on these old cars.

And shops use diamond tipped blades where we have to endure the old carbon steel in hacksaw blades.

Instead of the XR cooler you have, have you ever considered a side mount out of an R33 or similar, as 1 of them would flow more HP than your looking at and then cutting huge holes in your radiator support panel wouldn't be necessary. The XR is a bit of overkill don't you think?

Cheers, D

[GTR30]

6-8psi isn't a great deal and won't be dramatically increasing charge temps but a cooler is definately a good idea..

I was running around 10 psi with no cooler and and it would only detonate on hot, dry days but the power difference between hot and cold, dense air temps was massive..

It's always better to be safe than sorry and even though these are tough as nails motors it's good to have some assurance.

A small side mount like the guys have said would be plenty for what you have and could possibly want and is cheap so do it.

get some pics up!!