Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 06:17:30 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Kenneth barlow
Subject: Intercooler
Does anyone know about fitting an Intercooler to an Imp?
Is it possible, does it do much??
Kenneth
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 07:00:20 +0100 (WET DST)
From: "Gary Henderson"
Subject: Re: Intercooler
Hi Kenneth
Haven't played the game, but I do know from doing Thermodynamics papers 'way back what it does...
When you compress air, it gets hot, according to the universal gas equation pV=nRT. A super-charger (mechanically-driven or turbo) compresses the incoming air, which heats it, and in turn makes it less dense for a given boost pressure than it could be. If this temperature is still less than about 60-70 degC, then no intercooler is needed, because for good vapourization of fuel you need the inlet air this hot anyway. (I've just been busy proving this with my inlet-manifold heater.) For higher amounts of boost, the intercooler brings the air back to somewhere near system water temperature (they usually have like a heater-core). Cooler air also has lower viscosity (opposite effect to liquids!) so flow through the ports is better.
If you go to the nearest car-yard full of used Jap imports (hey, I just knew they would come in handy one day!) & look under the bonnet of a plain diesel ute say, then a turbo version and lastly a similar one with intercooling, you'll see an increasing level of dogsbreakfast pipes, ducts etc. to the point where the engine is almost no longer visible. That's the problem with intercooling - you have to provide for plumbing and handling of bulk air.
In the Imp case, being non-crossflow means a really simple & compact turbo installation can be made, but this advantage is lost when you have to divert out to the intercooler and back.
I'm sure that our UK friends will have some more hands-on comment in a few hours' time.
Cheers
GaryH
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 22:43:58 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Nickcleak@aol.com
Subject: Re: Intercooler
well what for ? cooling engine oil with the engine cooling liquid ? or maybe you have a turbo charger ..
Yes i have one fitted where the water radiator used to be ..it's two Ford Escort Turbo ones fitted together ...they are just so small as to be useless on their own ...
It's not really needed with turbo boost pressure below 5 psi .....
Nick ...