I've been wanting to upgrade from the stock intercooler.. I've searced alot and read alot came across this page which is very helpful http://www.turbomustangs.com/intercoolers.htm But If i buy an aftermarket one or one from the junkyard (i would do the junkyard most likely, i like projects) Say if you find a nice one, that has good dimensions, how do you know your gettin a better CFM? Or what the IC is rated for pressure wise? The mk3 supra IC looks great.. What makes a good Intercooler? What determines flow?


Shed some light?
Evan

 

CFM isn't much of a factor. If you see an intercooler with a "CFM" rating, it is probably the CFM flow rate at which a manufacturer-specified pressure drop will occur. For example, the Spearco "CFM" rating is based on the flow rate that will incur a 1.5psi pressure drop. It has nothing to do with how much CFM the intercooler can actually flow, but it does indicate a practical flow limit.

Most intercoolers are not rated with a burst pressure. However, a bar and plate type tends to take more pressure than an extruded tube type. Unless you are running an insane amount of boost, the burst pressure should not be an issue.

Some intercoolers are given a boost pressure or horsepower rating by the manufacturer in order to sell the intercooler, even though the rating may have no practical value.

http://www.are.com.au/techtalk/intecoolersMR.htm

 

Great, Thanks alot Evil-Aviator!

 

That was a cool article..

 

With the proliferation of "cheap" intercoolers on eBay, there is no reason to be taking crap shots at junkyard IC's.


-Ted