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Intercooler = higher or lower water temp?

Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:12 pm
by patrolla
with the related intercooler topic going around recently, i am thinking about adding an intercooler but have been told two completely different stories about whether it will increase or decrease water temperature.

one theory is that with cooler air, combustion process will be more efficient = more power = higher temps.

the other theory is that the temperature increase through power gains will be outweighed by the cooler air going through the system meaning lower water temps.

not looking at increasing fuel or boost much if at all. any thoughts?

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:17 pm
by Skegbudley
Adding a intercooler will make things run cooler.
Adding more fuel will make things run hotter.
Adding more boost will make things run cooler.
You just have to find the right balance for you.

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 8:18 pm
by tweak'e
it will run cooler as you are not putting any more fuel in.
with a IC your putting more air into the motor at a lower temp. that should remove more heat from the motor and exit it out the exhaust.

only problem with intercoolers is if it competes with the radiator for air. ie blocking air flow with a front mount or reducing flow through it due to top mount.

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 11:31 am
by PGS 4WD
I've pyroed probably hundreds of diesels, I am yet to see an instance of where adding an intercooler without the addition of fuel dosen't result in lower EGT's, Lower the intake air temp by 100 degreees and you basically see a similar drop in EGT's. Additionaly you can break the heat soak cycle that occurs in non-intercooled vehicles. A well intercooled vehicle can sit on our dyno for an intefinate amount of time at full load without the EGT's creeping up whereas without a decent cooler the EGT's will creep continuously upwards as heat soak occurs.

Joel