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Ive been reading the turbo for noobs post, and i'm wondering whats the "optimal" size intercooler for our cars. Like whats the largest size (length/height) that will fit? I know the slanted end design is supposed to direct the air better. I know there is no optimal size, because it most likely depends on how much boost is entering the intercooler, but generally speaking what size is optimal? Im looking at a spearco intercooler (18x3x6), and was wondering if its an "optimal" size.

Also I already did a search, but didnt find much on intercooler efficiency.

Thanks

 
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what size is the sf intercooler? It looks fairly small

 
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There can be an entire book written on this subject alone. I/C efficiency should be 75% or more at 10mph if your looking @ a core graph. The reason why 10mph is used is because we never really know how much airflow is actually reaching through the I/C @ any given time. The proper sized I/C should take into account, but not be limited to: turbo size, displacement of motor, ambient temperature range during operation, boost running through, size of I/C, core efficiency, end tank design, location, type (air to air or air to water), space confinements in the vehicle, altitude of area operating, volumetric efficiency of the motor, average efficiency of the turbo in the operating range of RPMS.....Not a simple question.

 
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Also, bigger isn't always better. Just a less thought out poor design. Chances are a larger I/C has more drag than small ones.

 
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^^thats what i wanted to know. It will take more time for air to flow through if the intercooler is bigger, so thats why im asking. Like what sizes are generally used for our motors runnin around 6-7 lbs? Thanks for the help!

 
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like dezod said, the efficiency is calculated by how much heat is removed from teh charge air that is moving to the intercooler from the turbo,

as far as big, you actually want the biggest you can fit in the front of our cars, a smaller intercooler actually will have more pressure drop than a larger one b/c the larger volume of air being forced through the smaller core then the restriction is higher and the internal capacity of the intercooler is lower than a larger unit. But considering it is a civic and you wont be pushing huge 400+whp the typical sized intercooler (spearco, SF, etc.) work efficiently on our cars. also look into the end tank design, the smoother the shape of the tank and the least amount of bends the better the flow that helps in a lower pressure drop.

 
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^yah i figured the size is important, but since im planning on boosting small numbers that its not the biggest problem. When you say end tank do you mean the angles next to the inlet? Ive heard that they should be angled to allow for better air flow through the bars. Here is a picture of the one im planning on getting. http://members.rogers.com/humej/intercooler.html

 
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i got a 20x5x2.5, johnnyracecar.com...havent put it on yet. who else has this intercooler...anyone had it tested for flow and all that?

 
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oops, 30x5x2.5

 
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I have the ^" johnnyracecar intercooler and it works perfectly. The fins are clean, the design is flawless, the weldes are clean, and the flow is awesome. I have nothing bad to say about it....BigBaller as far as the endtanks, yes generally they should be angled, think of aerodynamics, if air is flowing straight then suddenly hits a wall its flow is destroyed and air pressure is lost in various directions. But if its going straight then goes up a ramp, the air continues to travel in the same general direction with the same velocity, the reason endtanks should be angled not square

 
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^^sweet thats what i figured. im just wondering if its better to have a longer intercooler with less rows, or a shorter intercooler with more rows? Maybe its already been ansered, or maybe there are benefits to both of them.