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What configuration is better (performance-wise, not looks):

Top-to-Bottome IC

-OR-

Side-to-Side IC

?

--J.

 
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side to side looks better LOL j\k [IMG]i/expressions/beer_yum.gif[/IMG]

 
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whichever leaves less bends in your particular setup is the best for you....less bends = less restrictive turns for the air flow...thus freer(faster) air flow for more air into the cylinder, etc, etc...

mine is a saab 900 side to side intercooler (it's small but effective as it's nice and thick also and thus maintains it's surface area for air cooling) and the way I designed my pipes my most radical angle is 60 degrees....

-stackz

 
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super crude physics-style drawing of turbulence created by different angles in a given pipe with air flowing from left to right...I didn't even try to draw the 120 angle pipe due to ungodly turbulence going on it it...the arrows should be enough to show the basic flow forces against the air as it hits that bend...only from three angles of reflection...

I always try to keep as straight as possible or have an exhaust shop bend my pipes so they have minimal sharp bends in them for my tubing (though some preformed pipes are as good as you can get in a pinch heh)....

but anyway, hopefully my pathetic drawing helps you out some man. you can use either style of intercooler you want to but just make sure that take into effect the internal baffling (tubing) of the intercooler along with all your other pipe bends as that will have an effect (small) but still an effect...

air flow at the middle of a given tube will be greater than at the outer diameter of that tube so you want to minimize resistance at the outer edges of the tubes to equalize flow characteristics and prevent backpressure which slows flow....

-stackz

 
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ok the picture is at the bottom of my post...how do you attach pictures so they show up in the posting??

hehe

-stackz

 
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Side-to-Side

 
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for performance on our cars the top to bottom would be more beneficial since our cars cant handle the pressure that the side to side can hold.

 
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why not fabricate it so that it mounts up on top like a WRX?
Modify your hood.
That would deefinately be an eye catcher

 
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Yeah, it all depends on where you're going to mount it and what position your turbo will be in. (where will the outlet be facing?) Check that spot out and see where you're going to have to run your charge pipes. That'll help you decide.
Oh, and Stackz....to post a picture just use the insert image button when you're posting. You put the URL to the image in there and it'll show the picture in your post. Here's your picture...

 
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Yes, it would be an eye catcher but it is horrible for performance.