Intercooler Q?... What is a 3 row or 4 row FMIC?

[Eikon]

I've been searching all over the place and I can't figure this out.

Can you smart folks lend me a clue?

You can get a nice large size intercooler for $300 plus or minus... If you go brand name you spend a little more...

But, what is the deal with these Greddy 3 row and 4 row intercoolers? They are well over $1200.

What does 3 row mean? Do they have 3 or 4 seperate chambers within the core? What makes them different than the $200 Megan IC that I have in my garage?

thanks

[Bluefire]

3 row 4 row is exactly what you think it would mean. Think of a thin single row radiator. now stack them behind each other and combine it into a single unit. That is how you get a multiple row radiator or intercooler. As for differences between manufacturers there are many. Tubing proportion and size, fin count and design, endtank design, assemby process and quality, material quality, etc.... If you had the specs to each different design you can calculate the exact build you would need for your application but there is also a lot of math and physics involved in choosing the right core design and endtanks.

Either way the simple answer would be to go with a name brand manufacturer kit. Or call up a company like griffin or spearco and they can help you out if you want to go custom. And by the way a 4 row is only for high hp applications

-Bluefire

[Valley]

bluefire, i must slightly disagree with you. yes there is a lot of math and physics involved in making an intercooler but not in choosing one. i have found it is rather simple. look for the intercooler that will support your desired HP, has the outlets where you want them, and that has the least pressure drop. i know companies like spearco advertise these numbers, and you generally have to dig for others.

oh yeah ,eikon, a very good source of practical information is a book called "maximum boost" by corky bell.

[Eikon]

I have been meaning to pick up that max boost book... Thanks for reminding me.

So, follow up question.

If it has 3 or 4 rows... does the air seperate at the start of the tank and then rejoin at the end.

Or, does all the air go down the first row, turn a 180, go down the second row, and then turn a 180 and go down the third row? Does it travel like 6-8 feet?

I understand that you want the shortest amount of piping possible to keep high response and reduce lag... But you sacrifice that in trade for cooling the air to a FMIC... it's a good trade. But at what point does it no longer make a good trade... It seems like the cooling returns would be diminished from the second or third turn and just make for more lag???

Obviously, I am incorrect, or people wouldn't spend 1K on them... I clearly has been proven to be effective... But doesn't it seem a little counter-intuitive???

Thanks

[OKRB20DET]

the more cores, the more places air can go and be cooled

it all goes the same way like a radiator..does your radiator go, water..180 turn, water..180 turn? NO

[Bluefire]

bluefire, i must slightly disagree with you. yes there is a lot of math and physics involved in making an intercooler but not in choosing one. i have found it is rather simple. look for the intercooler that will support your desired HP, has the outlets where you want them, and that has the least pressure drop. i know companies like spearco advertise these numbers, and you generally have to dig for others.

oh yeah ,eikon, a very good source of practical information is a book called "maximum boost" by corky bell.

Yes I agree with you, I just wanted to get the information out that picking an intercooler or radiator is not always cut and dry. And that it can be very confusing if looking for the best setup. But like I said just going with a name brand core will be fine.

As for your other question eikon, air flows in one side, disperses through all the tubing and comes out the other side. The only time there are 180 turns is in a double pass or triple pass radiator.

-Bluefire