Who doesn’t enjoy top lists? That is why in this article we will share with you the most important things to look for when choosing an intercooler.
- End Tanks
We already discussed this topic at length in this article (check here). However, it does no harm to quickly gloss over once again.
The gist of it is that plastic end tanks should be avoided at all costs for aftermarket builds. They will not stand the test of time and will cost you more in the long run.
Stamped Aluminium tanks are much better, but this design is becoming harder to find with each passing day. This leaves you with the choice of cut and welded or cast aluminium tanks.
Both are extremely durable, provided the welds are done with due care. If you want the ultimate peace of mind, we would advise you to go with a cast aluminium tank which has no weak points and can be designed perfectly for its intended location from the get go
- Intercooler Construction
As you have already found out, in the world of intercoolers, but really with everything else, there is an affordable solution and an expensive one. This is also true for the construction of the core.
- Tube-and-fin core
This is the go-to solution for OEM and most low-end aftermarket builds. The design allows for low weight, cost and reasonably effective heat transfer. This design primarily leaves you open to the possibility of heat soak during idle or spirited pulls. This form factor is also more susceptible to damage from debris, which can sometimes take a while to manifest.
- Bar-and-plate
If you are really serious about track driving, this is the design for you, It’s extremely effective with heat transfer and the construction itself makes it far more durable. Although cores of this type weigh significantly more, their physical size can be much more manageable, making them useful in tightly packed builds.
Bar-and-plate is also much more resistant to failures, not only because of its durability, but also efficiency.
- Location
We have also discussed this in another article which you can find here (хиперлинк). Location is extremely important, so it’s good to go over again albeit quickly.
Always know that Proto Performance will do the best it can to guide you through the process of positioning your intercooler beyond the contents of these paragraphs. Just get in touch.
- Top Mounted
In any case, there are three ways you can install your exchanger. The most race oriented is on top of the engine. This solution requires an air inlet on the bonnet to keep the fresh air coming. What makes this the best solution for race builds is the fact that there is much less piping for the air to travel. As well as eliminating numerous weak spots, this allows for quicker turbo response, reducing lag.
Although effective, this solution is prone to heat soak due to its close proximity to the engine as well as sitting in the direct path of rising hot air. This is intended for race use, not so much daily driving, as overheating can occur in stop and go traffic as well as short, powerful pulls followed by slow driving and idle.
- Front Mounted
Front mounted intercoolers are your best bet. It’s been done countless times, looks cool and is much simpler and cost effective to implement. We haven’t even mentioned how effective it is due to being bombarded by fresh air at all times, even at low speeds.
Front mounted intercoolers are open to damage from road debris, but this problem can be easily solved with a strong mesh, as well as implementing the above mentioned bar-and-plate construction. It offers a huge surface area for heat transfer, but requires more piping and fittings. This however, is a topic for another article.
Be careful about a giant front mounted intercooled getting in the way of the car’s radiator as well. This can cause separate overheating issues with the engine.
- Side Mounted
This is a bit of an old method from the school of 90s JDM cars. It is not a very popular solution despite some positives. For starter, the whole system is a lot more compact. It also doesn’t impede on the engine’s radiator function.
They are small though and cannot offer ample surface for heat transfer in serious applications. Their position also leaves them open for damage, as the front sides of the car can be easily damaged in a minor collision, be it in another car or a tire wall.
If you are still unsure which configuration to go for, do not hesitate to contact us at all. We live for this and would love to help you make the right decision.