Intercooler Piping

[HKSgtst]

I want to buy an aftermarket intercooler. How much does the pipings cost and Where should I go to get it fixed ?

Thanx

[Guest RedLineGTR]

PM'd U

[HKSgtst]

Thanks. I got it.

[Mr Rb20]

I'm i nSydeny and interested in the same thing.

Anyone in Sydney recommened anyone and give me an approximate cost ??

[Sydneykid]

Hi Mr Rb20, we use Performance Metalcraft (Rydalmere), Micks Metalcraft (Villawood) and GCG (Condell Park). All have done good work for us.

[Guest RedLineGTR]

yep sounds like the best places in sydney..

[zforce]

just a quick question: what is the ideal pipe sizes for turbo to IC and ic to throttle body to flow no more then say 500hp for example (i.e. aftermarket turbo used). Also reasons for this setup.

[Mr Rb20]

Good question zforce, i'd be interested in that too.

Sydneykid, how much on average would it be to pipe the cooler seeing it is a custom intercooler and the intake and outtake are on different sides unlike the standard cooler which is on the same size ??

[king_kw13]

Redline can u PM me too

[zforce]

Well my theory is that the turbo to IC pipe should be bigger then IC to throttle for 1 reason:

1. Hot air takes up more space then cold air (i.e. is less dense, therfore requires a bigger space to flow the same volume of air)

There are more reasons (and theories) to why i think this setup is better, however that is the main reason.

I just can see how having a smaller pipe (say 2") from the turbo to IC and then a massive (say 3" pipe) from IC to throttle. Why would this setup be better if it is? Can anyone shed any light on this?

[MM2death]

Originally posted by zforce

Well my theory is that the turbo to IC pipe should be bigger then IC to throttle for 1 reason:

1. Hot air takes up more space then cold air (i.e. is less dense, therfore requires a bigger space to flow the same volume of air)

I thought it was the other way around

[Ronin 09]

zforce is right with hot air taking up more space than cold air - hot air particles are agitated and thus expand. However, i believe that the reason the piping from the cooler to the throttle is larger than piping from the turbo to the cooler is for a couple of reasons:

1. the smaller the diameter of the pipe after the turbo (within reason, that is, not to try and force it through a maccas straw), the higher the pressure and the faster the fluid velocity. Fast velocity = good for flow to the cooler. While it will be hotter than in a pipe of larger diameter (remember that as air cools it reduces in vol and as air is warmed it takes up more volume), the cooler is designed to shed this extra (if any) heat.

2. After the IC, if the cooler has done its job the air will be significantly cooler than before the cooler. This air hence takes up less volume, and is slower in velocity. However due to the vacuum effect of the intake when the throttle is open (ie. how a N/A car 'sucks' its intake air charge), this reduction in velocity is minimal.

3. Now for point 2 i've said that the air takes up less volume, and the less volume it takes up, the less pressure it is at. This may have a 'pulling' effect on air travelling through the intercooler - remember that air naturally moves from high pressure to low pressure - effectively helping flow of hot air through the cooler.

Hope that is clear... bye :wavey:

[rb20-calais]

doesnt make sense to me but sounded very good.

Evan

[zforce]

But having a small pipe from turbo to intake would restrict flow? Meaning that a 3" pipe might be an overkill...?

[JNR24]

Any places in vic that do good intercooler piping?

Also how much $ am i looking at?? (Say for mandrel aloy setup, keeping in mind that i have a GTR style intake setup)

Cheers Guys,

good thread!

[Ronin 09]

JNR24, i'm getting BMT to install my FMIC and pipe it when my intake manifold comes. I've PM'd you.

[JNR24]

Thanks Ronin 09,

Sorry to jump off topic,

I am running a "cut & shut" RB26/25 intake manifold, (il post some pics later)

would that type of setup cost more, than say the standard RB25 Intake setup? Or will they be about the same?

Also will the price inlcude silicon joiners & clamps?

[Ronin 09]

Unsure if that includes silicon joiners, but it is complete. I would guess that if you want silicon joiners it may cost a bit more (they're about 100 bucks each!).

I would again assume that your cut n shut should cost (marginally if any) less as the piping is shorter. Either way they'll have to hack a hole anyway.

[Sydneykid]

Hi Guys, I have a very good reason for gradually increasing the size of the intercooler pipework as the air moves from the turbo to the throttle body. Nissan do it, and they spent heaps on research.

Everybody explains airflow like it's in slow motion. At 4,000 rpm an RB25 at 1 bar will swallow all of the air in the inlet system in less than 1/20th of a second. At that velocity I don't believe 80 degree air (before I/C) is much different to 30 degree air (after I/C). Taking pressure reading proves this to be the case, there isn't any difference unless there is I/C restriction. If the hot air vs cold air made any noticeable difference in pressure, then you would be able to see it, and I never have. So in my opinion too small to worry about.

MrRB20, asked "how much on average would it be to pipe the cooler seeing it is a custom intercooler and the intake and outtake are on different sides unlike the standard cooler which is on the same size ??"

I do my own in aluminium (straight and donuts), silicone (hose) and stainless steel clamps, the materials usually ends up around $500 including about $80 for welding.

Hope that helps

[Mr Rb20]

Yep, that helps....thanks.

Wanna pipe up my cooler ??