Intercooler without turbo?

26 Oct.,2023

 

Turbos pressurize the air. Pressurizing air causes it to heat up. An intercooler helps to cool it back down to normal outside temperature so the engine doesn't ping. If you don't have a turbo, there is nothing to be gained here. In fact, the intercooler will only be a huge restriction on your intake.

When people speak of "cold air" intakes, they often don't realize that "cold" actually means outside ambient temperature. If you have a CAI, and it's 80 degrees outside, the most you can hope for is 80 degree intake air temperature.

Now try to recall if you've ever noticed an increase in horsepower from a cold day to a hot one. Not likely. "Cold air" is blown WAY out of proportion. The reason a CAI makes more power ISN'T BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR. It's because the length and diameter has been tuned properly. A short ram shifts the power band up beyond your rev limiter. The longer the pipe, the more usable the power becomes. The same is true of your exhaust pipe, but that's another topic.

Cold air intakes should be called "long intakes". Don't concern yourself so much with the temperature of your intake air.

 

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