Thread: are full sized intercoolers worth while

I have always been curious about vehicle manufacturers putting passenger comfort before vehicle efficiency and performance in the positioning of the intercooler and the airconditioning condenser.

I know of someone in the UK who does North Africa tag-a-longs and the first mod he makes to his Defender is to swap the position of the intercooler and the condenser, and he recons the effort is worthwhile.

Erich

Have you any indication as to how much is involved in making this modification?
Hugh

Well this is all very intresting but i realy wanted to find out if any one had done this at all. Idid talk to are intercoolers and they stated it will make your radiator 5 to 7 degrees hotter, but i am going to install some bonnet vents that i bought a while ago so perhaps it will make up for it? There is a mob in qld that are selling hydrogen systems for cars and stating that they save between 10% and 30% there number is 07 49530040 sorry i dont think they work well on chipped cars or efi's with computers but they have nice modules any way. Eeeeerrrrrgggghhhhh more research i doubt ill have room for both.

Well just had some of my questions answered for my L322 TD6. Have had an email from Jeremy Fearm in England who had a intercooler & chip kit selling for GBP1750 fitted. Check out his website. [ 250 H.P. & ~570 Nm] He is no longer doing them as the produce to much power for the Gearbox to handle.
Bugger would have been a weapon.

Gary

Originally Posted by 33chinacars

Well just had some of my questions answered for my L322 TD6. Have had an email from Jeremy Fearm in England who had a intercooler & chip kit selling for GBP1750 fitted. Check out his website. [ 250 H.P. & ~570 Nm] He is no longer doing them as the produce to much power for the Gearbox to handle.
Bugger would have been a weapon.

Gary

Thats why I didn't do mine,nice power but at the cost of reliability. Pat

Originally Posted by Pedro

I was wondering if any one has installed a full sized intercooler like allard or allisport which with tuning increases power by 35 % compared to 20 %(with tuning) for the direct replacement. I have heard lots of opinions but not from people who have that have done it.

I was fortunate to buy my '96 130 from another member on here who had just fitted the full Alisport setup including full size intercooler, full size aluminium radiator, silicone hose kit, exhaust manifold and, best of all, Garrett GT2556v variable geometry turbo. The fuel is tweaked and an EGT gauge fitted (vital for these type of mods)

Originally Posted by Camper

Have you any indication as to how much is involved in making this modification?
Hugh

As far as I can see, it's all pretty much bolt on stuff with no mods, well certainly nothing major.

The result, well for a little 2.5 litre diesel it goes very well, easily out performing the Td5 Xtreme I had (not chipped)
The radiator and intercooler are very efficient units. The water temp is very stable and changes very little wether it be 0*c or 45*c.
EGT's max out in the 500's and that's with the fuel turned up a lot and 18psi boost.

I haven't had it on a dyno, but I did do some acceleration runs one day, just for interest.
I should point out, these times were done on a local road which starts off flat for a couple of hundred meters then goes up hill.

Td5 (Not chipped)

0-60 10.7
0-80 16.7
0-100 22.9
80-100 16.3 (uphill)
80-110 N/A Just couldn't pull that extra few K's

300Tdi VNT Alisport

0-60 6.9
0-80 10.0
0-100 16.9
80-100 8.84 (up hill)
80-110 15.9 (up hill)
80-120 25.9 (up hill) It just wants to keep going.

I must also point out, the 130 is my daily driver and I enjoy driving it, but I would not trust a small capacity turbo diesel with this much performance as my touring vehicle, reliability speaking. Yes it could be 'tuned down' a little, but where's the fun in that
My choice of vehicle for touring is my County 4Bd1turbo.

Cheers, Murray

I have messed with my D2.It has a strong ECU upgrade,ASE intercooler and centre muffler removed.It is a beast,has HEAPS of power and fuel economy is much better as long as you dont abuse the power.I need an EGT gauge to make sure all is OK when pushing it.
YES the bigger intercooler works well along with the other mods.
Andrew

Well thanks every one I am still thinking about it all a full intercooler but this now snake juice is getting a lot of my attention the hydrogen system by that mob in qld as it seems to have the same benefits if i can get it fitted and working well. As the bloke mentioned I might have to get it mounted behind my grill I might not have room for both.but the bonnet vents are going in either way. Im trying to get more information off them before i decide of course.