Intercooler on SC?

[NorCal BMWBoy]

I've been browsing pictures online and noticed that some SCs have intercoolers attached to them. Is it recommended to have an intercooler on an SC? I can understand why a turbo needs one. Also i've seen some SC with something called an "after cooler" which i am assuming would just be another name for an intercooler.

Intercooler for SC = Faster and recommended

or


Intercooler for SC = Safer for car and longer life for SC?

[Mr Paddle.Shift]

The purpose of an intercooler is to cool the charged air going into the intake manifold. I posted something about using the terms intercooler and aftercooler loosely. Both are heat exchangers and work on the principle of heat transfer between fluids. While intercooler almost always refer to an air-to-air heat transfer, aftercooler these days refer mostly to a liquid-to-air heat transfer.

There are SC setups that use either an intrercooler or aftercooler. Either way, it is strongly recommended.

[thekubiaks]

The purpose of an intercooler is to cool the charged air going into the intake manifold. I posted something about using the terms intercooler and aftercooler loosely. Both are heat exchangers and work on the principle of heat transfer between fluids. While intercooler almost always refer to an air-to-air heat transfer, aftercooler these days refer mostly to a liquid-to-air heat transfer.

There are SC setups that use either an intrercooler or aftercooler. Either way, it is strongly recommended.

After two years of running a Vortech S/C without an aftercooler, I learned how heatsoak is a major player. In the summer on a hot day, I bet I am down 30 RWHP over 40 degree F days. With an aftercooler, I think my summer RWHP numbers will improve. I am switching to the ESS TX2 with aftercooler and I'll post my findings.

[NorCal BMWBoy]

After two years of running a Vortech S/C without an aftercooler, I learned how heatsoak is a major player. In the summer on a hot day, I bet I am down 30 RWHP over 40 degree F days. With an aftercooler, I think my summer RWHP numbers will improve. I am switching to the ESS TX2 with aftercooler and I'll post my findings.

do you know if it is possible to add an intercooler to the vortech S/C? heard of anyone doing it?

[Iceman1]

Also i've seen some SC with something called an "after cooler" which i am assuming would just be another name for an intercooler.


technically most modern day car applications all use an aftercooler whether turbo or s/c... they cool the air "after " it has been compressed by something...

the term "intercooler" was first used on old cars and planes that had 2 turbo's and needed the air to be cooled as the air traveled "between" the 2 turbo's...

however... nowadays an air to air aftercooler is generally referred to as an "intercooler" and an air to water aftercooler is referred to correctly as an "aftercooler"...

heat exchanger or charge cooler are all just generic terms that define the principles...

[MarvelPhx]

do you know if it is possible to add an intercooler to the vortech S/C? heard of anyone doing it?

Yes, ESS has an air-to-water for their VT V2SQ kit. It works very very well on my first Project Car. Made a huge difference.

Check out www.esstuning.com for the kit and I will soon have a DIY for the aftercooler install itself.

[Kwanghyun Chi]

Hi, I have the same question, too!!

[NorCal BMWBoy]

Yes, ESS has an air-to-water for their VT V2SQ kit. It works very very well on my first Project Car. Made a huge difference.

Check out www.esstuning.com for the kit and I will soon have a DIY for the aftercooler install itself.


thanks i did check that out, it looks weird, the intercoolrer is mounted over the engine. I think it odd that they couldnt have made one that could be front mounted. i wonder if it would be possible to modify an intercooler from a different kit to work on the ESS V2. I'll be doing my install on 6/18 thanks to your DIY! That thing was awesome. The belt has me worried, but we'll see how it goes. :thumbup:

[Surk]

It does look weird..I talked to Hans@ESS recently about same thing.. he says..there is too limited room on E46 to run tubing via conventional air>air IC behind bumper.. that's why they went A\W IC method.. It does look really tight with a V2..



thanks i did check that out, it looks weird, the intercoolrer is mounted over the engine. I think it odd that they couldnt have made one that could be front mounted. i wonder if it would be possible to modify an intercooler from a different kit to work on the ESS V2. I'll be doing my install on 6/18 thanks to your DIY! That thing was awesome. The belt has me worried, but we'll see how it goes. :thumbup:

[NorCal BMWBoy]

It does look weird..I talked to Hans@ESS recently about same thing.. he says..there is too limited room on E46 to run tubing via conventional air>air IC behind bumper.. that's why they went A\W IC method.. It does look really tight with a V2..

i'll kick it around but i still wont give up hope in finding a way to fit a front mounted air to air intercooler, there has to be a way!

[kaell]

Is there a way?

Putting up an old thread :thumbup:

[MarvelPhx]

The V2SQ is a big compressor unit, and because of the volute exit, it is just not very feasible to find room for all the needed air-air IC hoses. Hence the existing air-water aftercooler.

[kaell]

The V2SQ is a big compressor unit, and because of the volute exit, it is just not very feasible to find room for all the needed air-air IC hoses. Hence the existing air-water aftercooler.

Price is $1800 USD... is that really worth it?
Will VF have any other solutions, for the same charger?

[GJPizzo]

It does look weird..I talked to Hans@ESS recently about same thing.. he says..there is too limited room on E46 to run tubing via conventional air>air IC behind bumper.. that's why they went A\W IC method.. It does look really tight with a V2..



I know that AA uses the methanol/water cooler added to the intercooler... can someone explain how this works? Is it a spray onto the intercooler similar to the NO2 spray? Also is this always on or can it be shut off? Also if it can be turned on and off when should you turn it on and for how long?

[MarvelPhx]

I know that AA uses the methanol/water cooler added to the intercooler... can someone explain how this works? Is it a spray onto the intercooler similar to the NO2 spray? Also is this always on or can it be shut off? Also if it can be turned on and off when should you turn it on and for how long?

Water/Alcohol injection like Aquamist actually injects water or a mix of water and ethanol into the intake air stream after the compressor discharge. It is usually triggered by a boost sensor and fires after a certain pressure is reached. The water evaporates from the heat of the air and cools it in the process. Water injection is usually used where intercoolers or some other form of cooling can't be used due to space or cost limitations.

IMO, I just can't justify injecting anything into my cylinders that isn't air or fuel. Water simply takes up space that should be air and fuel. Water vapor (steam) takes up 12 times as much space as a gas than it did as a liquid. To me, it doesn't seem like the right way to do it.

[yafool]

my fmic loves cool norcal air