Intercooler theories

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langley

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Location
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Posting purely out of interest and looking for any knowledge, not an argument.

Looking accross different posts and looking through various internet references got me wondering. The P38 diesel utilises a fairly sizeable single intercooler, from what i can see the L322 uses two? smallish intercoolers (working on the assumption that the L322 is a single turbo lump).

Can anyone tell me what the implications and variances in the differing systems would be? Obviously the choice i guess would come down to available packaging space under the bonnet. But, does using two intercoolers on a single turbo engine not cause alot of pressure drop throughout the system? Similarily does the packaging of the "big" single intercooler on the P38 not limit its potential due to it being crammed between the aircon condensor and the vehicles radiator?

Hopefully someone can give me a interesting view on this and yes i have too much time to think about crap....
 
wammers said:
Only if they are blocked up. A bigger intercooler does not give you more air it gives you cooler air.
Click to expand...

I understand that, but by cooling the air, is a pressure drop not caused? Hence, with the twin coolers on a later model, does a sequential drop not appear?

An, does the cooling potential of the P38 not suffer as the air to air coolling is inherently fed from the air escaping the aircon rad. Following this, is there not an effect on the radiator of the vehicle as it is fed "warmed" air from the intercooler??
 
It wouldn't cause a pressure drop...multiple intercoolers may cause the air to slow due to additional restrictions mind....

As Wammers says above, the larger surface area available for cooling will give a cooler charge air....
 
langley said:
I understand that, but by cooling the air, is a pressure drop not caused? Hence, with the twin coolers on a later model, does a sequential drop not appear?

An, does the cooling potential of the P38 not suffer as the air to air coolling is inherently fed from the air escaping the aircon rad. Following this, is there not an effect on the radiator of the vehicle as it is fed "warmed" air from the intercooler??
Click to expand...
The latent heat from additional radiators will hamper the cooling efficency of the Intercooler yes...but the delta temperature between the two still means there is a cooling effect...by this I mean, even though the intercooler is being warmed by the A/C condensor, the difference in the two temps is still enough to cool the charge air...

Similarly the Intercooler will hamper the cooling efficency of the engine rad, but the delta temp between the two is still enough to permit enough cooling to the engine.

Regards Pressure drop....from the combined gas laws by a bunch of brainiacs called Charles, Boyles and the french one Gay-Lussac, if you drop the temperature in a closed system the internal pressue will drop, but as this is a charged system, being fed pressure from the Turbo....with the drop in temp and the pressure remaining constant, but as the air contracts, this increases the availble volume for the Turbo pressure to fill...hence why a Turbo'ed engine can produce more power as there is more denser air within a given space due to the compression of the charge air and the subsequent volume increase....
 
Last edited:
langley said:
I understand that, but by cooling the air, is a pressure drop not caused? Hence, with the twin coolers on a later model, does a sequential drop not appear?

An, does the cooling potential of the P38 not suffer as the air to air coolling is inherently fed from the air escaping the aircon rad. Following this, is there not an effect on the radiator of the vehicle as it is fed "warmed" air from the intercooler??
Click to expand...
its a comprimise ,everything has an effect ,but it depends if effect is noticeable , you could fit a massive intercooler but lag would increase , you could fit more pipes in intercooler and so make it more effective but then resistance would increase ,lr has come up with a comprimise i wouldnt veer to far away
 
langley said:
I understand that, but by cooling the air, is a pressure drop not caused? Hence, with the twin coolers on a later model, does a sequential drop not appear?

An, does the cooling potential of the P38 not suffer as the air to air coolling is inherently fed from the air escaping the aircon rad. Following this, is there not an effect on the radiator of the vehicle as it is fed "warmed" air from the intercooler??
Click to expand...

No pressure drop because the turbo is constantly replacing it. And yes the rad cooling must suffer to some degree. But unless you can think of somewhere else to put them you're stuck with what you have.
 
jamesmartin said:
its a comprimise ,everything has an effect ,but it depends if effect is noticeable , you could fit a massive intercooler but lag would increase , you could fit more pipes in intercooler and so make it more effective but then resistance would increase ,lr has come up with a comprimise i wouldnt veer to far away
Click to expand...

not looking at changes just interested
 
Saint.V8 said:
The latent heat from additional radiators will hamper the cooling efficency of the Intercooler yes...but the delta temperature between the two still means there is a cooling effect...by this I mean, even though the intercooler is being warmed by the A/C condensor, the difference in the two temps is still enough to cool the charge air...

Similarly the Intercooler will hamper the cooling efficency of the engine rad, but the delta temp between the two is still enough to permit enough cooling to the engine.

Regards Pressure drop....from the combined gas laws by a bunch of brainiacs called Charles, Boyles and the french one Gay-Lussac, if you drop the temperature in a closed system the internal pressue will drop, but as this is a charged system, being fed pressure from the Turbo....with the drop in temp and the pressure remaining constant, but as the air contracts, this increases the availble volume for the Turbo pressure to fill...hence why a Turbo'ed engine can produce more power as there is more denser air within a given space due to the compression of the charge air and the subsequent volume increase....
Click to expand...

wammers said:
No pressure drop because the turbo is constantly replacing it. And yes the rad cooling must suffer to some degree. But unless you can think of somewhere else to put them you're stuck with what you have.
Click to expand...
Is what I saided....:p;):D
 
wammers said:
No pressure drop because the turbo is constantly replacing it. And yes the rad cooling must suffer to some degree. But unless you can think of somewhere else to put them you're stuck with what you have.
Click to expand...

HAving had to have a bit of work done to get my MOT i can think of somewhere to stick the radiator, not sure it will help the cooling though. Might make me feel better theough:D
 
If you move the fuel filter to the bulkhead, there is room for an intercooler laid flat, nice airscoop on the bonnet plus a fan and away you go. Lot of work, not a lot of benefit other than it would improve airflow to the RAD and so aid engine cooling.
 
Just need to find a subaru imprezza then, steal the bonnet and make it fit ala topgear....

Oooh, an one of them big zorsts as well.

Anyone know where i can get some 555 vinyls from...

COuld have a new conversion here, P38 imprezza....
 
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