What is our intercooler drop pressure?

[askoncemore]

Has anyone tested the pressure drop between the inlet and outlet of the SHO/ Flex stock intercooler?

I am sure it gets worse as modifications are made and boost is increased by tunes etc. 

 

[ajpturbo]

I dont know...but why do u ask?

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

I'm curious too because anyway we can lessen that, the more efficient our tiny turbos are.

It would also be nice to know the starting point in case anyone decides to build us a FMIC so we have a starting reference point.

 

[askoncemore]

I am asking because stock equipment is usually at its limit at stock boost levels.

I am seeing 16-18 psi after tune and mods... the weak link is probably the stock CAC at this point.

Looking into fitting a water to air intercooler in place of the air to air stock unit.

 

[SHOdded]

I suppose you could fit an extra MAP sensor in before the IC, and measure voltages off of that to see how the PCM would see it?  The data might not be the most accurate, but would provide a valid comparison, I would think.

 

[askoncemore]

Measured the pressure drop across my intercooler to be 3-4 psi.
I am running 18psi boost.

The stock intercooler is being replaced soon with a water to air intercooler.

This should free up some horsepower with the stock turbos.

 

[SHOdded]

Subscribed.

 

[8nutz8]

Measured the pressure drop across my intercooler to be 3-4 psi.
I am running 18psi boost.

The stock intercooler is being replaced soon with a water to air intercooler.

This should free up some horsepower with the stock turbos.

nice! would it be beneficial at all to run a water to air intercooler in series with the stock IC providing the water setup had little to no pressure drop? i've been looking at this kit
http://www.frozenboost.com/liquid-air-intercooler/water-to-air-intercooler-p-1034.html

 

[SHOdded]

Wouldn't want the cooling to get TOO efficient, so the system has to have checks and balances.  Please, no F150 history repeat here LOL.

And the problem with an additional IC is lack of space in the SHO layout.  Flex/XSport, more feasible.

 

[8nutz8]

Wouldn't want the cooling to get TOO efficient, so the system has to have checks and balances.  Please, no F150 history repeat here LOL.

And the problem with an additional IC is lack of space in the SHO layout.  Flex/XSport, more feasible.

i know space is the major factor. but please elaborate on cooling being too efficient . . not too sure what you mean by that

 

[SHOdded]

Check the F150 TSBs.  Ford actually had to put in a fix to reduce intercooler efficiency as it was creating too much precipitate from the air passing through the intercooler and causing all kinds of herky jerky effects within the engine as a result of that precipitate getting sucked into the engine.  I don't know if, with the fix in place, the F150 still needs it's intercooler drilled to let precipitate exit the IC, which started as an interim fix while the TSB was in development.

 

[askoncemore]

I will be bypassing the stock CAC and using a large water to air.  In time it will be replaced by a large heat exchanger.

I am not concerned with being too efficient.  The oil\crud will not have a chance to accumulate with my setup.

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

How were you able to measure it?

 

[8nutz8]

Check the F150 TSBs.  Ford actually had to put in a fix to reduce intercooler efficiency as it was creating too much precipitate from the air passing through the intercooler and causing all kinds of herky jerky effects within the engine as a result of that precipitate getting sucked into the engine.  I don't know if, with the fix in place, the F150 still needs it's intercooler drilled to let precipitate exit the IC, which started as an interim fix while the TSB was in development.

that makes sense.didn't know about that TSB thanks for the heads up

 

[askoncemore]

Connected hose prior and after intercooler and connected it to a differential pressure gauge.