buying an Intercooler

[JET]

For the little bit of difference in cost, why not do it the right way and use SS? As far as weight, we are talking what, 2 lbs. difference for all of the IC pipes? Even if the intake temps are 1 degree cooler it would probably make a bigger difference than 2 lbs.

[95tsi]

I've had good luck with my Hahn front mount with my own custom piping. Good price and has worked well for my setup. I'm not going for super crazy horse power so I didn't feel like spending big dollar for an intercooler.

As far as piping, I had the Archer UICP and just tied into that. In my opinon, the speed of the air in the intercooler is moving so fast that the actual material used for the piping won't make a siqnificant difference. The piping I made, I simply had powdercoated black and put it in. Like I said, the cold side is a bit longer and utilizes the Archer UICP, however, it dosnt' run directly next to the engine(pro's and con's).

The choice is yours as to what you use. I'm guessing that unless someone specificlly says one company sucks horrificly, most places seem to make a descent setup. Just find somthing that works close to the budget you have.

[A//// Guy]

One thing that will probably really effect how hot the air is entering your intercooler is if the piping exits the turbo and goes right in front of the O2 housing/DP. If it does it will take the heat radiating of it and absorb it. My IC piping goes the other way, this setup might be longer but I think the temp differences would be pretty drastic compared to having a "short route" piping system that passes right next to the really hot exhaust. (Unless you insulate the piping in that location.

[Kracka]

In my opinon, the speed of the air in the intercooler is moving so fast that the actual material used for the piping won't make a siqnificant difference.

Cool, lets use concrete then....oh wait, it does make a difference. Cores are made from aluminum for a reason.

On another note, piping and intake manifolds should be made out of carbon fiber :)

[Super Bleeder!!]

you can get some bomb-diggity cool fibber intake mannis for honduhs, someday maybe our cars will be cool like them

[Kracka]

you can get some bomb-diggity cool fibber intake mannis for honduhs, someday maybe our cars will be cool like them

Yeah...and they actually work really well too.

[Goat Blower]

One thing I haven't seen as much on this subject is insualted IC pipes. I could see this helping a lot, but noone ever does it. Probably just because it looks kind of ghetto, but it definately would help.

Uhh, I did that three years ago, I didn't notice any real difference, but I wasn't exactly testing down to a 1 horsepower difference either. I plan on testing it again with my new setup this spring just for grins, I don't think it'll make any real difference except maybe off-idle.

[Raptor]

We can guess and speculate all day as to how effective this type of stuff is all day and it won't answer the question I have my beliefs on it, obviously others have different ideas as well. I will start testing this stuff in January so the answer isn't that far off. I will be able to check anyones setup on their car so the guys who want to try insulating wrap etc will also know how effective thier setup is, I will make sure I have a duplicatable course to test with so the results can be compared fairly as well. It is worth it to me to do this in the quest for more power so I want to get the most accurate testing procedure possible.

So just for the sake of discussion, what do you consider a worthwhile gain? 1 degree of difference? 5? What would it take for the guys who are serious about power on this board to justify the difference in cost/weight for SS over anything else? And why?

[95tsi]

Cool, lets use concrete then....oh wait, it does make a difference. Cores are made from aluminum for a reason.

On another note, piping and intake manifolds should be made out of carbon fiber :)


Obviously some materials work better in certain locations. I'm just trying to help out with the original question posted as to what to go with for an intercooler. I don't recall seeing in the original post as to find somting with carbon fiber piping or go with a light gauge steel. Me personally, I can't justify spending $500 more for a horespower gain of maybe 5-10. Sounds like the guy looking for the intercooler to use dosn't want to spend a fortune on his setup to run some descent numbers. If you plan on running your car into the 9's then by all means make your intercooler pipes with carbon fiber to match your bling bling manifold.

[SuperSleeper]

So just for the sake of discussion, what do you consider a worthwhile gain? 1 degree of difference? 5? What would it take for the guys who are serious about power on this board to justify the difference in cost/weight for SS over anything else? And why?

I would think it would need to be upwards of 3 degrees to make an impact, in performance or in information. But that is such an ambiguous figure... what does 3 degrees, or 5 degrees, or whatever it is, mean in the grand scheme of things? Ultimately the aspiration is more HP and quicker times... the only way to get the full satisfaction and understanding is to test it on the track.