Upgraded SVO Intercooler

[Jim W]

Some time ago I worked with Bell Intercoolers to develop a high flow core for the stock SVO intercooler for those that wanted to improve performance but keep the stock appearance. We did some flow testing that showed it flowed much better, but we did not have the equipment to do flow testing per industry standards. I've had one on my '86 for a couple of years and "seat of the pants" said it was an improvement. We have also sold a few conversions with good feedback.
Finally did some dyno testing on my car and the results were impressive. Check it out!

http://www.motion-dynamics.net/specials3.htm

Jim

[Excell]

Nice numbers! That is impressive!

[tateg]

Does the upgrade still suffer from the same heat issues the stock top-mount does?

[indiana dave]

Those are impresive improvements! But like mentioned, the heat soak would be similar though. From my experience, there aren't many looking for more power who aren't willing to sacrifice originality for a front mount. And most of the show-going "concours original" group isn't interested in making more power.

[FoxXxSVO]

hell, i have a spare TC interrcooler that i could slap on if i ever get the bank to do this

[captfire125]

I just met Jim the other day and saw this setup on his 86. I wouldn't have recognized the different core in it if he hadn't said anything about it. It's a good looking, stock appearing piece.
I figure for a few hundred bucks and about 10 minutes of time switching it out, it gives a decent increase in hp and torque (at least until it heats up, even then would probably be much better then stock).

[Jim W]

Where it is located will always cause heat soak to be a problem. We are going to be trying some specialized coatings, especially on the heat shield to see if we can reduce this, but it will never go away.
When we did the dyno test nothing special was done to blow cool air on the intercooler. It was a back to back test with just enough time taken to change intercoolers.

Jim

[SVOeric]

I can think of some auto-x'ers that might like a intercooler that looks bone stock

[schlot]

The heat soak comment brings up a question in my mind.

Is this such a huge issue when thinking about the fact that under normal driving, the forced air from our scoop has to eliminate that problem? I mean at idle and low speeds that is an issue, but at higher speeds is it really a huge problem? I look at my Mazdaspeed 6 with it's top mounted intercooler and see that the FMIC systems out there have such a long run of piping to get the air cooled and back again, that is an obvious draw back and is less efficient flow wise than our near direct route of flow that the stock location offers.

Anyway, great idea Jim.....I was thinking about a similar project, but you beat me to the punch. Any thoughts on a TC or even larger intercooler at that same location using modern IC cores?

[Ken Potter]

Well I'm a concours guy ( so far ) who is always interested in making more power if it can be disguised enough to fool MCA judges. I've seen many threads on other sites debating the VAM vs Mass air conversion. I don't want to get into a debate but is the VAM and stock airbox suitable enough to leave in place and still see something close to these kinds of numbers?

I already have the T3 / T4 and will be using a Gillis valve. The 3" down pipe, if done correctly, would probably be overlooked. I've put a great amount of effort into tracking down alot of NOS stuff so it will be as close to a brand new 86 as possible 21 years later. I'm speaking of the 7B of course.

I guess a couple of engine shots would help me out...

[Jim W]

Good questions Ken.
First we will get a couple of pictures of the IC on a car. I'll let you know as soon as we get them. We will also get a picture of the two side by side.

We do plan on doing equivalent testing on a car that is basically stock, but don't have a time table yet.

Jim

[bendutro]

A fan with a touch of water spray helps a great deal with the stop-n-go interheater effect.

[chalkys_explorer]

I'm gonna have to disagree with Dave's comment. I think i fall into the middle ground. I much prefer the look of the stock intercooler than the look of all the tubing needed for a front mount. Make's the car look to much like a backyard conversion for my liking.

This is definately something for me to consider sometime in the future.

[tateg]

If the coatings Motion Dynamics will experiment with work I'd be willing to buy one. I know that now, if I drive from here to the on-base auto hobby shop to work on the car, I have to wear gloves to remove the intercooler. It gets too hot to touch comfortably. And that's with just highway and normal in-town driving.

[Ken Potter]

Some thoughts and questions :

First I'm going to state the obvious in that some of that heat is transferred from the steel IC brackets into the aluminum body of the IC.

I know there are stiffer hoses that will support the weight of the IC so the brackets can be removed isolating the IC from heat transfer?

Also at my old job we used to manufacture turbo and ducting blankets for the big motor coaches as well as city buses for a company called NABI www.nabiusa.com I've also seen rigid heat shielding made from stainless steel cooking pots.

So with some creative fab work the stock IC could be made even more efficient and less of a heat sink.

Just some late morning ramblings...