Intercooler pressure
 

Hello all, I have a quick question, what determines the max pressure you can run an intercooler?
what happens if you boost higher than the spec?
Thanks
-D

I would think that the welds/brazing would be the first thing to blow, although I suppose the core could also rupture if it were poorly made. If you are concerned about boost, then you should stick with the more durable bar and plate type of intercoolers.

If you are referring to the "cfm rating" which manufacturers use, it is based on the maximum flow rate at which pressure drop becomes too excessive. Unfortunately, the value of "too excessive" is not an industry standard, so you need to ask the manufacturer. Spearco rates their intercoolers at 1.5psi pressure drop, and any flow rate higher than their rating will result in a higher pressure drop.

BTW, where have you seen a boost pressure rating for intercoolers? I have never seen such stats given to the general public, and am quite interested.

I was looking at a post Jason had on a FMIC by Greddy, somebody asked if that IC would run 18psi. It had never occured to me that the IC wouldn't be able to handle pressures produced by the turbos. I became curious and made this post. :)

That PSI rating you see likely means the intercooler will not be as effective over 18 PSI. As in, your turbo will be creating more heat than that intercooler can cool down and you should choose a larger intercooler. 'Course then the rating depends on what turbo and what is an acceptable air temperature coming out.

i'd say an all welded intercooler will take a lot more pressure than your turbo can put into it. but as TYSON stated, the effieciency would be the real issue.

Oh, OK. Well then you should call GReddy and see what they say before you fork over $1,000+ for something of dubious value. Note that the extruded type of IC (marketed as light weight and/or less heat soak) is generally not as strong as a bar and plate design.

After reading the other responses, I should add that the Spearco ratings are usually based on 10psig boost. Running 5psig boost lowers this pressure drop number by about 25%, and 20psig boost raises this pressure drop by about 30%. This could have something to do with the pressure ratings of the GReddy IC's, but it's not really a "max" boost number which would indicate impending failure of the IC.