Impromptu dyno intercooler testing.

[linuxman51]

Originally Posted by Swedbrick

Has anyone here tried the mishimoto stuff? Prices seem resonoable and specs are given in terms of airflow and pressure drop

I've seen them online but haven't had one in hand, would be interesting to test.

Originally Posted by Sjeng

Hi, interesting results.

However, I have some difficulties in explaining this from a physical point of view.

Let's assume power output is proportional to mass flow trough the engine.
And, that mass flow is (among displacement and rpm) a function of 1:volumetric efficiency, 2:manifold pressure, and 3:manifold temperature.

For the sake of argument, let us assume 1 and 2 remain unchanged (in practice boost will differ if intercooler restriction differs and the WG is plumbed directly from the compressor housing).

A decrease in power of 13% (ebay vs garrett) roughly corresponds to a inlet temperature increase of 40 degrees celsius (ideal gas law).
I have been doing quite some data logging with the ebay IC, and although I have not been running huge amounts of boost, I have not seen higher than 20 degrees above ambient at max.

Also, when swapping the 940 cooler for the ebay cooler (12x24) my boost increased by 0.2-0.3 bar. Yet when direct swapping a stock one for a ebay cooler, you lose power?

How did you control boost? Manifold pressure the same for all runs?
Edit: Ok, some more careful reading, so you see less boost with the ebay core vs the garret. Is this also the case for the stock 940 one? Because my results have shown the opposite. Maybe it's a different cooler, although it looks the same.

the stock intercooler was in the middle of the pressure at the inlet (Which makes sense regarding where it landed on the power curve). And listen-this is not a condemnation of *all* ebay intercoolers, however the 3in bar and plate style that everyone tends to buy (the one that frequently can be bought ... well, used to frequently be able to be bought for around $100usd), that's what you're looking at here.

I said it in a couple different spots, and I mean it.. I'm sure you can get decent performing ebay intercoolers, certainly decent for the average t-bricker power levels... but for similar money you might be able to get something from treadstone or precision that may fit easier, or have a higher known ceiling, etc. That's always the trade-off though with performance stuff haha.

Really, I shared it because it's been such an oft repeated (even by myself) mantra of 'ebay intercooler exhaust, cam, toon and win!', and you don't want to spend time and money on a modification that effectively sandbags you going forward.

Originally Posted by Murploid1

Very interesting write up. Thanks for posting!

I will say this however, I upgraded my standard Volvo intercooler (car is a 244T) to a Do88 and was VERY surprised at the difference it made. No Dyno testing, just driving, but there is a very noticeable increase in power. Maybe that's because the Volvo unit was old and tired, not sure...

the do88 stuff seems to be pretty good, I "feel like" the one on my R is much better than the stock intercooler it had, but tbh I didn't do any kind of checking before or after.

[dalek]

If you want to try a NPR, I have one I would not mind loaning it out so you can gather some data.

[kevins08]

Originally Posted by dalek

If you want to try a NPR, I have one I would not mind loaning it out so you can gather some data.

Im very interested in the results of this, count me for a yes vote.

[Sjeng]

1-3 gear pull using ebay cooler. S200G turbo @ 1bar and 16V engine.
Large thermal mass is evident from slow temperature changes.

[linuxman51]

^ that says nothing about airflow (and thus hp) through the core, given the mass of the ebay cores I'm reasonably sure they do alright at temperature rejection. Also, which ebay core?

we've got another intercooler we'll add to the test in the coming bit, if someone wants to shoot over an npr I can toss that into the mix as well. I haven't put the big one back on the gold car yet, so we can see how everything stacks up in different weather when the time comes.

[90volvo]

I appreciate the testing and info. Big question can you get to big of a intercooler. Seeing some people getting a ford diesel truck intercooler. Which this will probably open a whole new can of worms.

[Sjeng]

Originally Posted by linuxman51

^ that says nothing about airflow (and thus hp) through the core, given the mass of the ebay cores I'm reasonably sure they do alright at temperature rejection. Also, which ebay core?

we've got another intercooler we'll add to the test in the coming bit, if someone wants to shoot over an npr I can toss that into the mix as well. I haven't put the big one back on the gold car yet, so we can see how everything stacks up in different weather when the time comes.

AliExpress 300x600x76.

My observations regarding airflow I already posted earlier in this thread.
0.2 bar MAP increase over stock 940 cooler, untouched wastegate.

I do not sell these things, and I praise you for your work.
From a physical point of view I have difficulties explaining the observed differences.

[90volvo]

I just recieved today a treadstone intercooler, man a big weight difference compared to the ebay ic. So I have an ebay intercooler for sale for cheap if anybody wants it. Will let you know the difference so temps and feel. No I dont have a dyno near by on butt dyno.