Intercooler pipe question.

[svobrown]

I'm redoing my IC and have a question on pipe. On my last setup I used 2.5 from the turbo to IC and then to the 65mm TB The IC had 2.5 inlet and outlet and the pipe was about 6' long.

New setup is off the wall. I want to use 2.25 pipe (30" of pipe) going to the IC that has a 3" in and out, Then go with 3" to the 65mm TB. (32" of pipe)

My idea is that the turbo has a small opening that will keep air speed fast and when it gets to the 3" IC opening. Well after that I get lost in what happens! It seem like the air will move faster to the ic with a smaller pipe???

I just don't like the idea of going to a large pipe right after the turbo.

Any one have an idea on this??

[Henson]

If it were me I would go as small as possible to and from the intercooler creating less turbo lag. The air will flow the same velocity across the intercooler no mater what you supply or return. CFM is CFM. The only reason to go larger is to create less friction. You can increase the pressure, correct? The friction increase is not that much either. There is a limit though too small the friction plays a factor and the air will get hotter. But the air will sit in the intercooler for the same time no matter what.

I think often people go too big just because they don’t know. “Well this guy went 2.5” and this guy when 3”, so I’m going 4”, boogty boogty boogty”

If it were me I would go as small as you can, with in reason. And TIG some ½” or 1” fins on it. Be original!

Myself, you can’t go below ambient with Air to Air. So, do a different fluid.

Just and opinion.

[svobrown]

But the air will sit in the intercooler for the same time no matter what. .

That was what I needed to hear. Got the parts to do it both ways so I will learn more on the dyno Next month.

[madadder]

More people will chime in on this. Some will go all scientific on your a$$ and give you more info than you can take in....

[Bruce]

I'm interested in the answer to this question also. The size out of the turbo is pretty small compared to the pipe I've seen on most front mount setups!

[Ted B]

There is no reason to go as large as 3", not even if one is making 600+hp.

[svobrown]

Your right but my it looks good. Going to try out 2.25 and the 3" pipe and see how it does. I bet the smaller will do better.

[NavySVO]

Myself, you can’t go below ambient with Air to Air. So, do a different fluid.

You'll have to have a chiller unit of sorts. Even an Air-to-H2O is going to be ambient.
One thing, IF you could get the air back to ambient, it will still pack a whallop!

[boostedbruiser]

3" pipe works better for a blow thru MAF.

I have 2.5 " now, i plan on changing it to 3" all the way around, with a different IC. We'll see if theres any difference.

[Ted B]

I have 2.5 " now, i plan on changing it to 3" all the way around, with a different IC. We'll see if theres any difference.

Obviously, changing both simultaneously cannot tell anything specifically about one or the other, although I think it's safe to say we all have a good idea of which of the two provides the largest potential improvement.

For the sake of perspective, with EVOs, 2.5" has proven to be sufficient for anything less than a GT42R (ie. under 700whp).

For a TF, I'd be more concerned about a pressure drop across the IC (which are usually undersized) far more than the adequacies of 2.5" piping, which I cannot imagine being an issue for a 250-350whp application unless it's (very) shoddily designed.

[Henson]

I've got some 4" 0.062" wall (16 ga) aluminum tubing sitting in my garage just now. I'm planning on using it for kinda "air handing" in a temperature-related sort of way.

I got some 10” Spiral hanging from my garage ceiling. I am using it for kinda air handing in a temperature-related sort of way!

[Henson]

I have to ask; Mike what are you doing?

Navy you’re right. My fellow lightning buddies just use ice and they run quite a long time without refilling. I assume L’s would produce more heat than an SVO. Mine seems to get fairly hot just pulling the trailer, not less me stomping on it all the time. Either way, having the air to water on both exchangers is better than air to air, IMO.
Look at the terminators. Better yet look at the supped up terminators, turbo or supercharged, what size of cooler they’re using?

I’m running 30 minute stints on the open tracks and on the road maybe for an hour. Over and hour I’ll trailer, depends.

[roberto2000]

So what you are trying to envision and make is a heat shield for your intercooler piping. I read people using butchered stainless cookware for the turbos any odd shaped thing you could use?

[Pat_in_L.A.]

Just something to keep the rising heat from the exhaust header area from preheating the tube ...

Don't be wasteful. Redirect those BTU's. Mount some expanded metal on there with the header bolts. You could grill lunch on it on the way to the next car show.

Free meat (Not far from Dragpak):

http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2005/12/venison_anyone_1.html

[svodad]

Xmart heat shield

After hearing a cheap heat shroud could be made from the "appliance section" of your local discount store, here is my first attempt. Total investment $4.50 and one hour cutting. Don't know what grade SS is used in Chinese manufactured food grade containers, but is is the right gage and time will tell how it holds up.

I have some updated stock IC pictures to post as well.

NJ dadster