Thread: Intercooler upgrade only - worth it?

Has anyone tried one of PWR's "hotdog" air to water intercoolers?. They are supposed to be the ducks guts cause you can mount them much closer to the inlet manifold.

Originally posted by abaddonxi+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(abaddonxi)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Originally posted by Pedro_The_Swift@
<!--QuoteBegin-abaddonxi

I had an idea that a forward facing snorkel might also make an impact.


Cheers
Simon

world rally cars dont have them out front to save them from damage :wink:

I meant a Safari style snorkel with a forward facing intake to create a bit of an air ram, instead of a snorkel with a rearward facing or round intake.

Simon[/b][/quote]

yea, Simon. I had this conversation with your mate Zook, who "convinced" me that no matter how fast you go, the engine will use whatever air is forced/sucked down the snorkle,, :?

Biggest problem I found with the scoop forward is that my filter element, (the old round one on my 3.9), got soaked in a heavy storm by the look of it when I checked later. It was all uneven.

This apparently doesn't hurt them a lot as in Seth Efrica they wash paper filters in the mining industry but I guess you could get to a point where it was blocked by water in continuous heavy rain.
So I turned my scoop around to face backwards. I think the position near the windscreen would be high pressure anyway, but I haven't checked with a pressure gauge.
Seems to make no difference on a petrol but may be different on a diesel. You still get nice cool air.

Regards Philip A

Any paper element can be cleaned/washed,
its a financial decision based on replacement cost.

Originally posted by cookiesa
I have been told there is a Melbourne company who do this and you can expect around 20% increase for around $800-$1000

Who is it?

Originally posted by Pedro_The_Swift+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pedro_The_Swift)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Originally posted by abaddonxi+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(abaddonxi)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Pedro_The_Swift@
<!--QuoteBegin-abaddonxi

I had an idea that a forward facing snorkel might also make an impact.
Cheers
Simon

world rally cars dont have them out front to save them from damage :wink:

I meant a Safari style snorkel with a forward facing intake to create a bit of an air ram, instead of a snorkel with a rearward facing or round intake.
Simon[/b][/quote]
yea, Simon. I had this conversation with your mate Zook, who "convinced" me that no matter how fast you go, the engine will use whatever air is forced/sucked down the snorkle,, :?[/b][/quote]

The turbo will ram more air into the engine than any snorkle. You need to increase the air density to gain more power, hence an effective intercooler is required. Whether it be larger, water sprayed, or whatever, cooling the air is paramount. The snorkle may give slightly cooler air? or cleaner air on a dusty track, but I don't think it will do anything else. There may be a slight advantage on non turbo engines.

Trev.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Has anyone tried one of PWR's "hotdog" air to water intercoolers?. They are supposed to be the ducks guts cause you can mount them much closer to the inlet manifold.[/b][/quote]

Bush65 over on Outerlimits has an ARE water/air intercooler for his 300 Tdi Rangie. The big advantage of a water/air intercooler is that you get maximum cooling at low speeds, right where a 4wd needs it offroad. There is some interreesting reading re intercoolers in general on ARE's website. http://www.are.com.au/index.htm

Originally posted by disconut+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(disconut)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Originally posted by Pedro_The_Swift+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pedro_The_Swift)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Originally posted by abaddonxi
<!--QuoteBegin-Pedro_The_Swift

@
<!--QuoteBegin-abaddonxi

I had an idea that a forward facing snorkel might also make an impact.
Cheers
Simon

world rally cars dont have them out front to save them from damage :wink:

I meant a Safari style snorkel with a forward facing intake to create a bit of an air ram, instead of a snorkel with a rearward facing or round intake.
Simon

yea, Simon. I had this conversation with your mate Zook, who "convinced" me that no matter how fast you go, the engine will use whatever air is forced/sucked down the snorkle,, :?[/b][/quote]

The turbo will ram more air into the engine than any snorkle. You need to increase the air density to gain more power, hence an effective intercooler is required. Whether it be larger, water sprayed, or whatever, cooling the air is paramount. The snorkle may give slightly cooler air? or cleaner air on a dusty track, but I don't think it will do anything else. There may be a slight advantage on non turbo engines.

Trev.[/b][/quote]


Now, I know stick about stick when it comes to this stuff, so feel free to tell me how wrong I am.

I'd have to imagine that if you move the air intake from the wing - where the best air flow advantage you're going to get is neutral - to any place in which the intake is facing forward, you are going to get more air entering your system. It wouldn't be anything in comparison to what the turbo spools up, but it has to be better than the system on Defenders as standard.

And it'll cost so much less than any other change to the turbo system that it is probably worth a go just on the off chance. Plus, who doesn't want another good excuse to buy a snorkel.

I'm a cheaparse and can't actually justify the snorkel, but for almost nothing I picked up a right side wing top vent thingy, same as they sell as a heater intake scoop. The wing top vent sits there doing nothing and 3" placcy fittings, a jigsaw and a bit of 3mm plywood or plastic should sort it all out.

Of course I haven't got to it yet, and if any of you already has, tell me if I shouldn't bother, but I thought it was a bloody good idea.



cheers
Simon