Intercoolers: internal fins or not? Which is better?

[tekdeus]

I saw this intercooler on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-Thick-Intercooler-Turbocharger-Mustang-Supra-Camaro_W0QQitemZ250045704651QQihZ015QQcategoryZ33742QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem and noticed that it had "internal fins" as you can see in the photos. Obviously this will cool better but be more restrictive. Is this better or not? They claim a 1 psi pressure drop at 1333 cfm.

 

[TobyCat]

most after market IC's I've seen had internal fins.

 

[starscream5000]

^Yep, there's not much difference between ebay intercooler cores and name brand ones. This is one thing you can get off ebay and the item be very close to the same craftsmanship and functionality of it's name brand counterpart . The main difference between ebay IC and others are the endtanks.

Search for a closeup pic of a spearco IC core, they're a lot alike.

BTW: You got lofty power goals with a big ass IC like that one don't you . If you don't plan on going over 500 HP I would think about getting a smaller IC...

 

[rakkasan]

^Yep, there's not much difference between ebay intercooler cores and name brand ones. This is one thing you can get off ebay and the item be very close to the same craftsmanship and functionality of it's name brand counterpart . The main difference between ebay IC and others are the endtanks.

Search for a closeup pic of a spearco IC core, they're a lot alike.

BTW: You got lofty power goals with a big ass IC like that one don't you . If you don't plan on going over 500 HP I would think about getting a smaller IC...

One difference that quality can make is how straight & true the fins are. If they aren't true, it'll create turbulance & reduce effiency.

About your comment about size, I choose on that one might consider too large for my application (24"x12"x4"). I'm willing to sacrific some spool in efforts to cool the chage as much as possible, I don't want any knocking/detonation. Using a larger IC means lower velocity through the IC & that will cool the charge more. My .02

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

One difference that quality can make is how straight & true the fins are. If they aren't true, it'll create turbulance & reduce effiency.

About your comment about size, I choose on that one might consider too large for my application (24"x12"x4"). I'm willing to sacrific some spool in efforts to cool the chage as much as possible, I don't want any knocking/detonation. Using a larger IC means lower velocity through the IC & that will cool the charge more. My .02

i agree with what rakassan is saying and ill add something as well. You have to choose which IC and piping you have according to your turbo size. Too small will not flow enough for it, and too large will actually create lag. If you are using a CT26 then usually these aren't problems but i wouldn't run anything larger then a 2.5 Inch piping to go with the little bugger.

 

[starscream5000]

One difference that quality can make is how straight & true the fins are. If they aren't true, it'll create turbulance & reduce effiency.

About your comment about size, I choose on that one might consider too large for my application (24"x12"x4"). I'm willing to sacrific some spool in efforts to cool the chage as much as possible, I don't want any knocking/detonation. Using a larger IC means lower velocity through the IC & that will cool the charge more. My .02

You've got a good point there. Anything you go with over the stock IC is going to be a better option anyways, so it's really a win/win situation in your case. Plus you'll have that large IC if you ever feel the need to make even more power .

 

[tekdeus]

I've got a spearco replica intercooler now with a 57 trim CT26, 550's, lex, 2.5" piping, etc. I'm putting on a bomex bumper that's got this huge open mouth on it and I thought I might upgrade my IC for both looks and performance. I'd probably keep the piping the same, just swap in a bigger IC. Is the big one above (32x12x4) going to cause too much lag? Will I notice a difference? Surely someone here is running one this size and can offer their feedback. Thanks

Also as a side note, how do you guys clean the bugs out of these things???

 

[TobyCat]

is your spearco replica and end to end IC, or is the in/out both on the same size like with the stockers? You might have to redo your IC piping...

Oh bugs. I've only dealt with trying to get them off of a radiator in the past. I dunno of any easy way except lots of spare time and being careful

 

[tekdeus]

I'd probably redo the IC pipes. My spearco replica has really strong fins that don't really bend. I wouldn't want to be cleaning bugs out of something that the fins are gonna get bent out of shape.

is your spearco replica and end to end IC, or is the in/out both on the same size like with the stockers? You might have to redo your IC piping...

Oh bugs. I've only dealt with trying to get them off of a radiator in the past. I dunno of any easy way except lots of spare time and being careful

 

[cjsupra90]

One difference that quality can make is how straight & true the fins are. If they aren't true, it'll create turbulance & reduce effiency.

Actually the fins are called turbulators and are to purposely create turbulance and there for raise effiency by slowing down the flow rate and increasing surface area.

 

[PimpiNJ253]

how would this one work for a 88 supra? (mine)

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/pts/232614937.html

 

[NashMan]

when i look though my core and cpmpare it to ebay there is big diff

i remmber when the frist batch of ic' off ebay they ahe liek no fin count at all

now aday there gettign more and more fins but still not as many as my graret core

 

[supra90turbo]

My PTE IC doesn't have internal fins a.k.a. turbulators (thank you for using proper terminology chris :drink1

I've been toying with the idea of picking up one of those ebay 4" thick ones as they all seem to be of excellent quality.
Ryan, let's not get into another big intercooler "discussion".

 

[NashMan]

dude what doy ou mena you pte aka percstion ic does not have fins that make's no sence pte/perstion is joind at the hip with grarret

hummmmmm?????

My PTE IC doesn't have internal fins a.k.a. turbulators (thank you for using proper terminology chris :drink1

I've been toying with the idea of picking up one of those ebay 4" thick ones as they all seem to be of excellent quality.
Ryan, let's not get into another big intercooler "discussion".