SFR Intercooler and temps...
09-05-2009, 03:01 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
SFR Intercooler and temps...
Just thougt I'd share my SFR intercooler experience. After the initial "you gotta be kidding me"' reaction when I saw where it had to fit, the installation was not too bad -- although my dremel was on over-drive trimming the bumper support and a few other odds and ends.
I did not need to remove the bumper cover or a/c condenser to install it. I did trim a few tabs on the condensor for more room, but everything stayed in place for the intallation. I was also able to keep all the stock i/c mounting points, by trimming them, so that I can go back to the stock i/c if needed. I opted to use rivnuts in the cross member to more securely mount it, which I recommend.
The thing most noteworthy are the motor temps. The car had a long grueling day yesterday -- starting at 10am at the dyno making 500ft.lbs. and then driving the car almost 300 miles in some of the worst traffic the bay area's ever seen (Bay Bridge closed for repair). So I probably spent at least 3 or 4 hours in stop and go traffic in weather ranging from 65 to 90+ degrees.
I was stunned that the temp gauge stayed ON the first white hash mark almost the entire day -- even with the a/c on in hot stop and go traffic -- and it never got as much as a needle's width higher than the first hash. I actually checked the gauge I was so surprised.
So for the street anyway, I think it is safe to say this intercooler simply does not raise the temps.
I did not need to remove the bumper cover or a/c condenser to install it. I did trim a few tabs on the condensor for more room, but everything stayed in place for the intallation. I was also able to keep all the stock i/c mounting points, by trimming them, so that I can go back to the stock i/c if needed. I opted to use rivnuts in the cross member to more securely mount it, which I recommend.
The thing most noteworthy are the motor temps. The car had a long grueling day yesterday -- starting at 10am at the dyno making 500ft.lbs. and then driving the car almost 300 miles in some of the worst traffic the bay area's ever seen (Bay Bridge closed for repair). So I probably spent at least 3 or 4 hours in stop and go traffic in weather ranging from 65 to 90+ degrees.
I was stunned that the temp gauge stayed ON the first white hash mark almost the entire day -- even with the a/c on in hot stop and go traffic -- and it never got as much as a needle's width higher than the first hash. I actually checked the gauge I was so surprised.
So for the street anyway, I think it is safe to say this intercooler simply does not raise the temps.
09-05-2009, 04:27 PM
#7
Sorry but
Just thougt I'd share my SFR intercooler experience. After the initial "you gotta be kidding me"' reaction when I saw where it had to fit, the installation was not too bad -- although my dremel was on over-drive trimming the bumper support and a few other odds and ends.
I did not need to remove the bumper cover or a/c condenser to install it. I did trim a few tabs on the condensor for more room, but everything stayed in place for the intallation. I was also able to keep all the stock i/c mounting points, by trimming them, so that I can go back to the stock i/c if needed. I opted to use rivnuts in the cross member to more securely mount it, which I recommend.
The thing most noteworthy are the motor temps. The car had a long grueling day yesterday -- starting at 10am at the dyno making 500ft.lbs. and then driving the car almost 300 miles in some of the worst traffic the bay area's ever seen (Bay Bridge closed for repair). So I probably spent at least 3 or 4 hours in stop and go traffic in weather ranging from 65 to 90+ degrees.
I was stunned that the temp gauge stayed ON the first white hash mark almost the entire day -- even with the a/c on in hot stop and go traffic -- and it never got as much as a needle's width higher than the first hash. I actually checked the gauge I was so surprised.
So for the street anyway, I think it is safe to say this intercooler simply does not raise the temps.
I did not need to remove the bumper cover or a/c condenser to install it. I did trim a few tabs on the condensor for more room, but everything stayed in place for the intallation. I was also able to keep all the stock i/c mounting points, by trimming them, so that I can go back to the stock i/c if needed. I opted to use rivnuts in the cross member to more securely mount it, which I recommend.
The thing most noteworthy are the motor temps. The car had a long grueling day yesterday -- starting at 10am at the dyno making 500ft.lbs. and then driving the car almost 300 miles in some of the worst traffic the bay area's ever seen (Bay Bridge closed for repair). So I probably spent at least 3 or 4 hours in stop and go traffic in weather ranging from 65 to 90+ degrees.
I was stunned that the temp gauge stayed ON the first white hash mark almost the entire day -- even with the a/c on in hot stop and go traffic -- and it never got as much as a needle's width higher than the first hash. I actually checked the gauge I was so surprised.
So for the street anyway, I think it is safe to say this intercooler simply does not raise the temps.
Do you have an additional temp gauge to confirm readings?
This the first I have heard of an larger IC lowering or stabilizing engine temps. I was led to believe only an additional oil cooler could be that effective.
So take it you did not opt for SFR oil cooler?
and these results are just with the SFR IC?
Where in the Bay area do you live?
+1 for pictures..
-BB
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09-05-2009, 04:58 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Sorry but are you sure you car temp gauge is accurate?
Do you have an additional temp gauge to confirm readings?
This the first I have heard of an larger IC lowering or stabilizing engine temps. I was led to believe only an additional oil cooler could be that effective.
So take it you did not opt for SFR oil cooler?
and these results are just with the SFR IC?
Where in the Bay area do you live?
+1 for pictures..
-BB
Do you have an additional temp gauge to confirm readings?
This the first I have heard of an larger IC lowering or stabilizing engine temps. I was led to believe only an additional oil cooler could be that effective.
So take it you did not opt for SFR oil cooler?
and these results are just with the SFR IC?
Where in the Bay area do you live?
+1 for pictures..
-BB
Stock oil cooler, though I did clean it and seal up the ducting.
I'm in the south bay, you? Wonder if we've met? PM if you want to compare notes...
I'll snaps some picks this weekend.
09-05-2009, 06:09 PM
#10
Race Car
I think what he may be getting at is that it does not cause any extra heat due to the area in front of the radiator being used more.
If you are putting out hot air though through the turbo it will lower engine temps if it cools the air. When I had my blower car running around daily it would get hot if it ran long enough and that was solved once I installed an IC.
I'm curious Tom, what the HP gains were with the bigger IC and also how much timing you are using on the top end??
If you are putting out hot air though through the turbo it will lower engine temps if it cools the air. When I had my blower car running around daily it would get hot if it ran long enough and that was solved once I installed an IC.
I'm curious Tom, what the HP gains were with the bigger IC and also how much timing you are using on the top end??
09-05-2009, 06:12 PM
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The charge air temps will cause a rise in the engine temp which has a direct impact on the coolant systems thermal ability to dissipate heat. The intercoolers effect on engine temp can be drastic depending on what is happening with the charge air temps.For example a car that has 150F MATs can have a higher CLT then a car with 100F MAT.
09-05-2009, 06:18 PM
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I think what he may be getting at is that it does not cause any extra heat due to the area in front of the radiator being used more.
If you are putting out hot air though through the turbo it will lower engine temps if it cools the air. When I had my blower car running around daily it would get hot if it ran long enough and that was solved once I installed an IC.
I'm curious Tom, what the HP gains were with the bigger IC and also how much timing you are using on the top end??
If you are putting out hot air though through the turbo it will lower engine temps if it cools the air. When I had my blower car running around daily it would get hot if it ran long enough and that was solved once I installed an IC.
I'm curious Tom, what the HP gains were with the bigger IC and also how much timing you are using on the top end??
With some testing we did many years about we seen 15-20 WHP from the intercooler just by exchanging the stock unit. And this was on a 300WHP application. We have had customers report to us that they have seen a 50F decrease at the track compared to some other aftermanrket unis.That is pretty significant.
We have a 944T in here right now with 2.8L engine and all of our other goodies and he had cut his front bumper so we installed one of our intercoolers and just moved it up a bit to fill that whole area in with the intercooler.It looks good and will get massive airflow to it. I will take some pics when I get a chance.
I had cut my bumper in the same manner some time ago for the same purpose, but my project is one of those "someday" projects that has been on the back burner way too long.LOL
09-05-2009, 08:20 PM
#13
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I think what he may be getting at is that it does not cause any extra heat due to the area in front of the radiator being used more.
If you are putting out hot air though through the turbo it will lower engine temps if it cools the air. When I had my blower car running around daily it would get hot if it ran long enough and that was solved once I installed an IC.
I'm curious Tom, what the HP gains were with the bigger IC and also how much timing you are using on the top end??
If you are putting out hot air though through the turbo it will lower engine temps if it cools the air. When I had my blower car running around daily it would get hot if it ran long enough and that was solved once I installed an IC.
I'm curious Tom, what the HP gains were with the bigger IC and also how much timing you are using on the top end??
09-06-2009, 12:08 AM
#14
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Thread Starter
Right, the stock intercooler sits above the radiator (more or less). The SFR intercooler sits directly in front of the radiator, so there is a debate about whether it blocks the airflow and makes the motor run hotter. I actually assumed it would heat up the temp a little, but in fact I saw zero increase.
