intercooler design

[VQdriver]

which is better, "tube and fin" or "bar and plate" design? would you choose between the blitz LM or greddy V and R types? i'm also considering a turbo upgrade in the future.

[theNUDdistBUDDhist]

sorry i dont know

[C-Kwik]

Depends. Bar and plate offers quite a flexible range of sizes since it can be cut easily. It also tends to be transfer more heat. But can also impede flow through the front of the core, and block air from reaching the radiator. Tube and Fin tend to have less of a pressure drop, and allows more air to get to the radiator. But it's heat exchange properties may be slightly less. It depends on a number of other factors, but this tends to be a general trait. I don't think any of the big names(Greddy, HKS, Blitz, etc) use bar and plate I/C's.

[SPIRO]

I don't know either. :chicken

[Nismo_Freak]

Blitz LM has the more efficient core... as tested in an Option mag on an S13.

[VQdriver]

Blitz LM has the more efficient core... as tested in an Option mag on an S13.

if that's the case about bar and plate versus tube and fin, then what is the absolute best fmic to use when combined with a T3/04 setup putting out over 400hp?

[theNUDdistBUDDhist]

what disign does the blitz lm use?

[d240t2]

It is even more complex than that...under short sprints (like what we normally do with turbo cars), the intercooler acts as a heat sink, only to be cooled off later. Under these circumstances, the heat exchange properties of the ambient side really aren't of much concern.

And efficiency isn't everything in intercooler design...the most efficient design would be one that was absolutely massive...because the bigger it is, the more it can cool. The more massive the intercooler, the greater the pressure drop (which means the turbo has to work harder, creating more backpressure in the exhaust and heating the compressed air more). The heat transfer properties of the ambient side are also of interest, as are the ambient airflow properties, so cool air can reach the radiator.

And tube and fin intercoolers can be cut down to smaller sizes as well as bar and plate ones (I have a cut down tube and fin core, Griffin core).

Dennis

[C-Kwik]

And even within a given core size or internal volume, depending on the arrangement of the end tanks and how many channels there are, it can affect how much of a pressure drop an intercooler has.

Like everything in a car, there are always compromises to be made. And even moreso in a street car.