Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

This may be dumb, but do I really need an intercooler? I know they are better because most people use them, but so many prefab kits such as greddy and what not dont even have them. Will I lose a ton of power without one.

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

I know everyone uses one, so I figure they are needed I was just wondering how crucial they are for a low budget setup.

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

do you: no.

Should you: definitely

Power loss: No, an intercooler gains power. I went from a 13.8 non intercooled to a 13.4 with a Greddy Type 24.

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

Yeah, I meant power loss without one compared to using one on the same setup. It jsut adds alot to the cost and complexity, so I wondering if it was really worth it for the results I am trying to achieve.

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

If you want 200hp than yes. Intecoolers prevent detonation and also on a D-Series you need every advantage you can get to make power. Don't go cheap, do it once do it right

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

Yeah, 200hp was just a goal I set, not gonna trip on numbers though. Thanks again for your help. I will most likely suck it up and get one.

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

it also is a small safeguard against detonation too. basically, detonation is where the air just kinda blows up because its too hot from being compressed by the turbo, then compressed again by your engine. if you cool down your charge temp. before it gets to your engine, it will be *Slightly* less prone to detonation.

NOTE: this doesn't mean that just because you have a huge ass intercooler, your ---- won't detonate.

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

It also makes it that much safer to turn the boost up a bit which means more power. ;)
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

personally i wouldnt boost without one. but thats me, and i dont really count

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

how much do they actually cool the charge temp. I realize it depends on the IC itself, but as a ballpark, how many degrees are we talking 10+?

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

They cool the air a lot.

There are too many factors to be able to say how many degrees, but it mainly depends on the IC effeciency.

EX. In a perfect world....If the IC is 80% effecient, it would remove 80% of the heat that the compressor added to the intake charge.

Worth the time and energy to make it a part of your system.

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

when you compress a gas the biproduct is heat. the more boost the more heat. And we're talking lots more than 10 degrees. I don't have exact figures but its alot. You can also have the same effect with water injection if you don't want to use an intercooler. Intercoolers are not effective below 40mph.

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

i say the hotter the better. hot air is powerful air....hahahaha



GET AN INTERCOOLER

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

Really, they dont do much below 40. Makes sense cause they are air cooled, but doesnt that rob power at lower speeds. Thats where I want my speed and power, daily driving around town, to and from work, etc.

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

dude, intercoolers are tried and proven, and are the only way your gonna cool the unless you set up a water injections system. everyone uses intercoolers, you don't have any other options. no it doesn't rob power at lower speeds. you could get an air to water i.c., but they're not very practical for a daily driver. just get an i.c. and be happy.

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

to me, i probably wouldnt run w/o one! after driving for about 45 minutes straight, i stopped and touched my intercooler one day. the first inlet where the turbo pushes air was somewhat warm(moderate temp) and the side going to the throttle body was freaking COLD! so i know it makes a noticable difference in performance! just get one, even if its a shitty smic, it will still help some.....especially for the d-series ( you need all the power you can get to take out those b-series!)

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

if your under 40mph chances are oyur not in boost anyways, and if you are its like 3 lbs... or your car is a slow piece of ----

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

If you're worried about airflow below 40 mph, then just wire your fans to come on with a switch in the cockpit or to ignition.

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

that's like asking "do i have to wear a condom?". no you don't "have" to, but it might just save your genitals/engine, not to mention, they both help prevent "pre-detonation".

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

lol, nice analogy. ;D
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

dude, intercoolers where mad for a reason, not only do they help power alot but they look freakin awesome and you get crazy respect when people can see them, when i added an intercooler to my car i noticed a huge! difference and my rule is that if you can actually feel a difference than its worth the money, and you will feel it, besides why wouldnt you want to get ever crap of power you can out of your turbo, if you boost with no intercooler you'll get maybe 7 hp per PSI and intercooled 10 hp per PSI, that might not seem like enough but its a huge difference when the son of a bitch right next to you starts to pull ahead, then you'll really wish you had one, and another peice of advice, every here say do it once and do it right and you know what i've learned...its absolutly ------- right, when i first did my turbo project i had a T3 turbo which isent bad but its to small for my B series engine, anyways i had a T3 with no ic and a crappy Fmu and i pieced my ---- together thinking that i saved some money, now i just bought a big ass front mount new ic pipes and a t3/t4 with safc for fuel management and im pissed off at my self for wasteing the money on the other ----.

Re:Do I have to use an Intercooler?
 

ok I get it. Get an intercooler.