Intercooler options - Tuner-Junction

88 rex · #1 (**permalink**) November 4th, 2006, 04:06 PM

Are there any air to air intercoolers that fit the EF with very little cutting? I'd prefer to not cut up the bumper, but would remove some body material if needed. I basically want it to look as much stock as possibe. Also, what size would work efficiently with a set-up I would like to have (gt28rs in the 250-300 range).

How about air to liquid? Everything I have read said that is overkill, but if it is that good then how can it be overkill? How small of a unit would you need? How much water? John, do you use your windshield washer reservoir? I think that holds about a gallon. Would a gallon work for street and occasional track days? Air to liquid is more intriguing to me because then maybe John won't call me another turbo'd honda girl

and it can be out of sight except for the exchanger which isn't exactly eye catching. Also, what is a good exchanger?

jadkar · #2 (**permalink**) November 4th, 2006, 07:01 PM

I use my windshield washer bottle as my reservoir. Funny you mention the water to air option because I asked that the other day on Honda-Tech. I was wondering if someone fabbed a pipe/flange to mount to the LHT inter-cooler if it would be feasible to use it as a water to air inter-cooler for a turbo. I don't see why not, it does a hell of a job with the SC.

88 rex · #3 (**permalink**) November 4th, 2006, 08:33 PM

Searching through the archives on H-T I found some interesting set-ups. They all seem pretty effective and most use about a gallon reservoir with a total of about 1.5-2 gallons total between all the lines and exchanger. I'm thinking that a smaller intercooler where the intake filter is now (something the size of a vortech intercooler) would work. Just run the piping from the turbo straight to the intercooler, and then straight to the intake. Very little piping. Use the windshield reservoir as the reservoir and mount the exchanger in front of the radiator. Running water lines is simple and can be tucked away, as you already know. Most people don't even notice your superhcarger, let alone your intercooler and resevoir. Something I'm thinking about would obviously stand out once you pop the hood, but from the outside you would have no idea.

Do you have a link to the H-T thread where you posed the question?

I think air to liquid is the only clean way to go turbo in an EF without cutting.

triniskill · #4 (**permalink**) November 4th, 2006, 09:11 PM

yea..air to water will be the best way without cuttin

here check this site out..they have different sizes..soo you can chose which one..also they have turbos and parts you will need to make a kit

Phoenix Turbo 1-877-23-TURBO

88 rex · #5 (**permalink**) November 5th, 2006, 09:13 AM

eBay Motors: BRAND NEW! LIQUID INTERCOOLER ASSEMBLY - AIR / WATER (item 300043835149 end time Nov-06-06 11:00:01 PST)

Would something of this size be adequate?

street_accord94 · #6 (**permalink**) November 5th, 2006, 01:31 PM

that's an xs.power product(a horrible unit). I would make a move towards a pwr air to water with 2.25" inlet/outlet.

88 rex · #7 (**permalink**) November 5th, 2006, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by street_accord94

that's an xs.power product(a horrible unit). I would make a move towards a pwr air to water with 2.25" inlet/outlet.

Are you saying it's horrible because of the size or the brand? I want to know about the size not the brand.

I personally do not like the design of the PWR barrel intercoolers. A few H-T threads discussed it's inability be effective due to its straight through design. (Flows to fast to cool enough)

njn63 · #8 (**permalink**) November 5th, 2006, 08:46 PM

i think spearco makes a design like that. I can't remember for sure though.

88 rex · #9 (**permalink**) November 5th, 2006, 10:26 PM

Yea, spearco makes one with identical dimensions. I think it's in the $500 range for the identical one. On spearco's page it says it is capable of supporting a 4.2l boosted car, or something along those lines. I would honestly be tempted to go with the xs unit after finding the dimensionally identical unit on spearco's page. Building such a unit isn't exactly rocket science, especially when you've got a design to copy.

triniskill · #10 (**permalink**) November 5th, 2006, 10:29 PM

I have read something on soem subaru forums..that some guys say that there intercoolers are good..but idk..

Yes spearco does make a intercooler that shape...also you can have spearco make a custom intercooler for you to be shaped to fit right...

Also if you need a intercooler that is shaped to fit good..you can see if anyone has their water to air intercooler from either a civic or s2000 that are supercharged..like the vortech kits..its Just a suggestion.

street_accord94 · #11 (**permalink**) November 7th, 2006, 08:57 PM

XS power is ss autochrome...I wouldnt touch that stuff with a 30 foot pole, regardless of how mindless copying is. I'd be concerned with the quality and materials used more than the design of the SSAC unit...my turbo place charges almost 3 times as much to rebuild their turbos than they do the garretts they copied since the materials used are so poor.

As far as the design, the spearco single core provides less cooling than the barrel but the spearco double core will show even better cooling results. for low hp (sub 450whp) apps the pwr barrel will provide sufficient cooling without high pressure drop across the unit.