Has anyone done an intercooler change? What improvement in performance is expected with this mod? Is this improvement only in hot weather.
As they say 'air in, air out' or in this case 'cool air in' is the key so I would imagine that there would be an improvement but I am not sure how substantial it will be.

 

While my car was being tuned at GIAC, I was told about 20+ times :-) by Garrett (the G of GIAC) that intercooler is among the most important mods to do once you tune the ECU. The benefits are there even weather is not hot.

How beneficial? GIAC stage 2 cars (ECU tune and exhaust) could use stock clutch usually, but GIAC stage 3 cars (ECU, exhaust, intercooler) invariably need upgraded clutch as well, implying torque of at least 550 lbf*ft / 750 N*m (limit of stock clutch).

 

I just had larger inter-coolers installed last week and then took it to Sebring this weekend to try it out. I didn't feel like it spooled quite as quickly and that I lost some low end grunt. I will probably put it back on the dyno to see if it was my imagination or it's real.

When it was installed my tech did mention that the hoses was 'puffing up' a bit so I may wait until the new silicon hoses are installed before taking it to the dyno.

It did add some more wonderful noises though.

 

there are benefits if you have ecu and can utilize the IC's by getting an upgraded flash to utilize the lower IAT. GIAC's IC file allows you to run more advance timing giving you race gas power while on pump gas.

 

And it may be that I need to do a reflash rather than depending on the ECU to adapt. It may not be able to adapt enough.

 

Your ecu will only adapt so much. I only felt minimal gains after I had mine installed. The real difference only came with the reflash.

 

Isn't it true that if your intercooler cores are too big the car will suffer a pressure drop which will increase lag and reduce low down response?

I thought it was a bad idea to go for these huge cores as there is more metal to soak heat and more of an area to fill up with boost and I also thought it was more important to concentrate on the actual fin design rather than increasing the capacity too much and choice of materials used to increase the thermal dynamic efficiency.

 

I have the GIAC software installed. Is there additional programming needed if I put an intercooler on or is the standard GIAC good enough?

 

When we install our intercoolers on an already flashed car, it immediately picks up significant torque throughout the range... Here is a recent thread I did on a 996TT...

Keep in mind all ICs are not created equally.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...oler-dyno.html

 

What is the IAT?

 

Intake Air Temperature

 

Yes, you are correct. Bigger is not always better in this case. This is why I have the AWE IC's.

GIAC has a separate intercooler file you can get. The upgrade will allow you to take full advantage of the lower IAT. The file was based off AWE's IC's but I'm sure it will work for which ever ones you get. You can contact your local GIAC dealer and they should be able to do the reflash.

 

Intercoolers are definitely worth it. If you're already flashed, you'll notice significant gains from upgrading intercoolers, as many have said.

Check out the vid from Louis @ Champion in this thread. Some really impressive data, not only about their intercoolers, but it should give you a good idea of just how important they can be to your car's performance.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...1-997-2-a.html

 

Any reason you didn't also go with the AWE exhaust?
Sorry for the OT post, I won't hijack the thread!

 

Ask yourself, why does a turbocharged car need an intercooler?

An intercooler is heat exchange device used on forced induction engines to improve their efficiency by increasing intake air charge density through isobaric cooling. A decrease in IATs provides intake air that is significantly more dense and allows more air and fuel to be combusted per engine cycle. Intercoolers increase efficiency by reducing induction air heat created by the turbocharger.

Why does your turbocharged car need an aftermarket intercooler?

There are two variables that you need to evaluate. Thermal efficiency (how well does the IC lower air temperatures across the gradient) and flow efficiency (how well does the air move across the IC.)

A dyno (as Casey has provided) provides evidence of improved flow.

High speed runs with heat soak and IAT measurements provide evidence of intercooler efficiency.

A lot of data is needed to compare intercoolers...it is a conversation of great interest and controversy among enthusiasts. In my view, dyno data is helpful in assessing power produced, especially demonstrating restrictions in stock OEM systems in comparison to aftermarket ICs. However, the benefits of aftermarket IC can not be shown by dyno alone, as it requires heat soak to assess thermal efficiency.