Thread: Inter cooler size

The only thing an intercooler does is cool the air from the turbo before it goes into the motor. A larger intercooler can help by lowering exhaust gas temperatures. Cooler air will also have an increased density. For you to see an increase in power though, you will need to up the fuel to make use of it. However, a bigger core will increase the time it takes for the air to travel through it - an increase in lag can result.

Originally Posted by laney

Hi all a question about inter cooler size my d2 is preupdate if I fit a larger inter cooler from say allie sport will this make any difference to the way the car goes or is there more to it. I have a 3 inch exhaust system will fitting a larger intercooler make the car run lean do I need to increase boost thanks.

Should make a difference , but so would fitting an update intercooler from a d2a (13 mm wider than yours) for a lot less money
Performance chip would make bigger difference
Yep , you will have to increase the boost
Cheers

I'm pretty sure years ago Graeme fitted a larger intercooler only and had performance gains.

On a TD5 a more efficient IC will also initially alter boost until you adjust the wastegate...

The flow is far more efficient even though it is cooling better and several have reported Overboost scenarios once upgraded.

You will find No "lag" increase in a TD5 with an aftermarket intercooler...

When I upgraded from the "D2a" IC to the largest Alisport IC for Euro spec manual vehicles (requires the g/box oil cooler to be relocated on AUS spec manuals), I noticed a vast improvement in low and mid range response and performance without any remap or extra fuelling.

I can idle around in 4th gear from as low as 1000rpm and can even pull away from stationary in 2nd without having to slip the clutch. In heavy city traffic, being able to hold gears over a broad speed range makes for relaxed driving when in heavy city traffic.

Originally Posted by DiscoDB

When I upgraded from the "D2a" IC to the largest Alisport IC for Euro spec manual vehicles (requires the g/box oil cooler to be relocated on AUS spec manuals)

Where do you move the oil cooler to?

Originally Posted by twr7cx

Where do you move the oil cooler to?

I bought an after market 16 row oil cooler and placed in down low behind the air in take in the bumper. Easy to mount and just had to extend the hoses. There are two rubber sealing flaps on either side of the radiator/IC that you run the hoses through. Could have also mounted next to the air con fan if I wanted it a bit higher up.

The oil cooler was narrower, but taller and deeper so at least the equivalent if not a bit larger than the standard oil cooler.

Before I bought the oil cooler and fittings, I made up a mock up with cardboard in layers to the same overall dimensions and then with the front grill removed, found different positions it could be mounted. Then measured up and ordered the parts I needed.

The extra effort was worth being able to fit a much larger IC in.