Can I install intercooler with AA C38???

[joejo9795]

Can I install intercooler with AA C38 (Stage I)???

Just add up intercooler only...

[aggieE46]

Isn't that what their stage II is?

[Active Autowerke II]

Can I install intercooler with AA C38 (Stage I)???

Just add up intercooler only...
Doing so would drop your boost level and your car would produce less power.


Isn't that what their stage II is?

Our Level II Kit is a little more involved than that.

[Kanaljen]

Kirk,

Would you mind sharing some more info on why you would lose power if you stick an intercooler on a stage 1 kit.

I can see that the boost would be reduced since the cooler air is more dense and take up less space thus decreasing the pressure in the intake manifold.. But shouldn't the colder air allow more aggressive timing to be automatically adapted and shouldn't the denser air provide "more air" eventhough the boost is a bit lower?

I have a VT1 kit and I'm thinking about a water to air intercooler setup to reduce the air temp.. I have been told that I don't even need a reflash if I add an intercooler. Is there risk with all SC setups that you lose power with an intercooler added without additional tuning?

Thanks for your insight!

[aggieE46]

Well, I assumed it was an intercooler, piping, new pulley, and a software change.



Our Level II Kit is a little more involved than that.

[mm325]

I'd do some research on water/meth injection. Much easier to install and will not reduce boost pressure.

[Boosted_ZHP]

Kirk,

Would you mind sharing some more info on why you would lose power if you stick an intercooler on a stage 1 kit.

I can see that the boost would be reduced since the cooler air is more dense and take up less space thus decreasing the pressure in the intake manifold.. But shouldn't the colder air allow more aggressive timing to be automatically adapted and shouldn't the denser air provide "more air" eventhough the boost is a bit lower?

I have a VT1 kit and I'm thinking about a water to air intercooler setup to reduce the air temp.. I have been told that I don't even need a reflash if I add an intercooler. Is there risk with all SC setups that you lose power with an intercooler added without additional tuning?

Thanks for your insight!

Well I cant speak for Active, but if you were to add an intercooler, all the extra pipes would require more air to be filled. Therefore it would lose boost. Also all the extra piping and the IC itself would lose effeciency. It would never be as free flowing as nothing at all. It would all cause the boost to be lower. If you were to add an intercooler you would need to boost more from the blower, to get the same at the TB.

I'd do some research on water/meth injection. Much easier to install and will not reduce boost pressure.

If you are doing it for a purely functional perspective this is an excellent option. The only thing is many people want an IC for looks. :banghead:

[MSpired]

Kirk,

Would you mind sharing some more info on why you would lose power if you stick an intercooler on a stage 1 kit.

I can see that the boost would be reduced since the cooler air is more dense and take up less space thus decreasing the pressure in the intake manifold.. But shouldn't the colder air allow more aggressive timing to be automatically adapted and shouldn't the denser air provide "more air" eventhough the boost is a bit lower?

I have a VT1 kit and I'm thinking about a water to air intercooler setup to reduce the air temp.. I have been told that I don't even need a reflash if I add an intercooler. Is there risk with all SC setups that you lose power with an intercooler added without additional tuning?

Thanks for your insight!

Colder denser air doesn't mean it's taking up less space, air will take up the same space regardless.

The additional power you'd gain in timing from running cooler IAT's is marginal compared to power loss from the 1-3 psi of boost you'd lose.

As mentioned, meth/water/alc would be a better option to lower IAT's and add a little more octane. Even better, upgrade to stage 2 and add meth :thumbsup:

[Kanaljen]

Well, denser air will take up less space but I see your point; you will fill the cylinders with the same volumen regardless. But of course, the same volume air will require more fuel since it contains more O2 thus produce more power.. thinking out loud...

But as you said, it is a balance between pressure loss and gain from more O2+fuel for each stroke. A highly efiicient intercooler setup (high temp with minimal pressure drop) could produce more gain than the loss from the reduction in boost/pressure...

But, to maybe no surprise, you need to tune the setup to take advantage of the cooler/denser air. For example, smaller pulley to produce the same boost after the cooled air as you had without the intercooler and thus take advantage of more aggressive timing with reduced risk for detonation. Also, the engine will be less sensitive to bad fuel and heatsoak..

Maybe I should form all of this as a question... I'm no expert so correct anything I didn't get right...
Cheers,

Colder denser air doesn't mean it's taking up less space, air will take up the same space regardless.

The additional power you'd gain in timing from running cooler IAT's is marginal compared to power loss from the 1-3 psi of boost you'd lose.

As mentioned, meth/water/alc would be a better option to lower IAT's and add a little more octane. Even better, upgrade to stage 2 and add meth :thumbsup:

[Active Autowerke II]

Good points have been made. Our kits are designed with power in mind. By simply adding a an intercooler our testing has shown cars to lose power. Therefore a more complete kit was designed.