Honda and Acura Technical Forums

PURP · 11-04-2009, 09:27 AM

Anyone ever A/B test their turbo setup with/without an intercooler?

I am going to have to do ALOT of modifications to put in an intercooler when I add the turbo, so I'm just wondering if its worth the trouble.

Of course I know that its an improvement, but just how much of an improvement?

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azandford · 11-04-2009, 09:31 AM

The guy i bought my car from did dyno runs with and without and there was about a 20hp increase with the intercooler on. Intercooler = Longevity...some kits such as greddy do not come with one but imo its necessary

Archidictus · 11-04-2009, 09:39 AM

Pretty sure the piping and intercooler kits you can get now come pre-bent and made specifically so you don't have to do a lot of modifications to get them to fit right. At least the last ten or so I've done have been that way

grumblemarc · 11-04-2009, 09:59 AM

What kind of mods? That front bumper of that bodykit might be one of them.

j.packsb · 11-04-2009, 10:05 AM

wat kind of front end mods on a eg/ek wouldnt allow u to fit even a small fmic? u should be able to make it work unless u have a body kit. unless its a BYS front bumper then u deserve to be slow anyway..

grumblemarc · 11-04-2009, 10:05 AM

Get a sidemounted IC.

j.packsb · 11-04-2009, 10:17 AM

^^^ or this... if your going to go through the trouble of boosting, get an intercooler. no point in not getting one. itl take more boost to make the same poswer without one. be efficient and get one

azandford · 11-04-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumblemarc

Get a sidemounted IC.

^^^ x2 unless you got all kinds of stuff on the side 2

93egSLEEPER · 11-04-2009, 11:11 AM

lose the body kit and add an intercooler... or have less power. up to you

alphalanos · 11-04-2009, 11:13 AM

you should be able to fit a skinny intercooler. If not you just have to do whatever it takes to make it work. function>form. I wouldnt run any turbo setup without IC.

PURP · 11-04-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93egSLEEPER

lose the body kit and add an intercooler... or have less power. up to you

Hence the reason for my original question...

How MUCH power???

93egSLEEPER · 11-04-2009, 11:28 AM

ill bet its a good 20-30hp if its a decent setup

PURP · 11-05-2009, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93egSLEEPER

ill bet its a good 20-30hp if its a decent setup

OK, but what kind of percentage numbers are we talking?
Not to be a stickler, but 20-30 off of 200 (10-15%) is CONSIDERABLY more relevant than 20-30 off of 600. (3-5%)...

.mattyz_ · 11-05-2009, 07:12 AM

Just get an intercooler, and take off those stupid HIDs that you probably have in halogen housings without a retrofit, in addition to horn mounts - are you using Hella horns, or something?

PURP · 11-05-2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .mattyz_

Just get an intercooler, and take off those stupid HIDs that you probably have in halogen housings without a retrofit, in addition to horn mounts - are you using Hella horns, or something?

Actually, the HID's are in a proper TYC HID projector housing, and that has nothing to do with my question.... but please feel free to voice your presumptuous opinions on unrelated topics.

infinitypro12 · 11-05-2009, 07:47 AM

If you don't want to actually run better forced induction use an intercooler. The is a reason they are used and aren't just for show, cooler air means better results.

grumblemarc · 11-05-2009, 08:28 AM

With a little fab you could probably get something like this working. I don't know what your setup is so this may/may not be adequate. I wouldn't run with out one.

Unseen Racer · 11-05-2009, 10:36 AM

post in the correct forum.

this belongs in the F/I forum.

thread has been reported to Mods

Hill4589 · 11-05-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unseen Racer

post in the correct forum.

this belongs in the F/I forum.

thread has been reported to Mods

It's a hybrid thread so I don't see why you reported it..

Anyways just weigh your options, is that body kit worth keeping or would you like to make more hp but go back to oem?

j.packsb · 11-05-2009, 11:02 AM

who in the world would rather have a body kit and horns over an intercooler for their turbo??..

JHP · 11-05-2009, 11:44 AM

Its all going to depend on your set up. No one is going to know unless you dyno your car with the FMIC and dyno it without. I looked around a little bit and some volvos had optional intercoolers on their turbo cars. The difference between the ones with them and the ones without was about 15-20 horsepower. Hope that helps.

PURP · 11-05-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHP

Its all going to depend on your set up. No one is going to know unless you dyno your car with the FMIC and dyno it without. I looked around a little bit and some volvos had optional intercoolers on their turbo cars. The difference between the ones with them and the ones without was about 15-20 horsepower. Hope that helps.

Thanks. It would be even more helpful if you could tell me the actual HP's of the two... If you know what I mean... 200/220? or 140/160? or 930/950?etc...

SOHC_MShue · 11-05-2009, 02:27 PM

There are way too many variables to give you an answer. For small amount of boost you can get by with without an intercooler I wouldn't even bother wasting the money to boost the car.

Turbo-LS · 11-05-2009, 02:33 PM

Runnign a non-intercooled setup is ok for about 7 psi of boost on an average sized turbo. boost = hot compressed air. Hot air = useless in an engine. if you start cranking the boost up the intake temps will get very high and kill power and make the engine extremely prone to detonation aka kaboom grenade your block.

stop being retarded about your body kit and some rewiring and put a damn intercooler on the car or dont boost it its that simple

its either that or invest in an air to water intercooler setup

GT35R_EF · 11-05-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbo-LS

Runnign a non-intercooled setup is ok for about 7 psi of boost on an average sized turbo. boost = hot compressed air. Hot air = useless in an engine. if you start cranking the boost up the intake temps will get very high and kill power and make the engine extremely prone to detonation aka kaboom grenade your block.

stop being retarded about your body kit and some rewiring and put a damn intercooler on the car or dont boost it its that simple

its either that or invest in an air to water intercooler setup

^^THIS

You think you're getting the same answer on here for no reason??? LISTEN. No one here can tell the future, no one knows the % of power you will lose, it is strictly dependent to every setup. Let the body kit go, it's 2009. There is no "weighing" options, I'll do it all for you. The intercooler is going to benefit you far more than any body kit will. It really is that simple, I promise.

11-04-2009, 09:31 AM	#2
azandford Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 88	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... The guy i bought my car from did dyno runs with and without and there was about a 20hp increase with the intercooler on. Intercooler = Longevity...some kits such as greddy do not come with one but imo its necessary __________________ 98 Civic - 300hp Sleeper!

11-04-2009, 09:39 AM	#3
Archidictus Unceasing Measure 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 12,269	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... Pretty sure the piping and intercooler kits you can get now come pre-bent and made specifically so you don't have to do a lot of modifications to get them to fit right. At least the last ten or so I've done have been that way __________________ But now the summer's dreams are bent like grain against the scythe, and memories of blissful days, they fall like leaves.

11-04-2009, 09:59 AM	#4
grumblemarc Junior Member 1996 Honda Civic Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oak Ridge, TN, USA Posts: 318	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... What kind of mods? That front bumper of that bodykit might be one of them.

11-04-2009, 10:05 AM	#5
j.packsb Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 61	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... wat kind of front end mods on a eg/ek wouldnt allow u to fit even a small fmic? u should be able to make it work unless u have a body kit. unless its a BYS front bumper then u deserve to be slow anyway..

11-04-2009, 10:05 AM	#6
grumblemarc Junior Member 1996 Honda Civic Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oak Ridge, TN, USA Posts: 318	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... Get a sidemounted IC.

11-04-2009, 10:17 AM	#7
j.packsb Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 61	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... ^^^ or this... if your going to go through the trouble of boosting, get an intercooler. no point in not getting one. itl take more boost to make the same poswer without one. be efficient and get one

11-04-2009, 11:11 AM	#9
93egSLEEPER Member 1993 Honda Civic My Garage Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 2,913	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... lose the body kit and add an intercooler... or have less power. up to you __________________ Daily-97 suby wagon- AT, AC and AWD Project--93 EJ1- LSV-T 340whp/258tq & The Beast--1970 CHEVELLE "I have never met more haters til the day I bought my Honda"

11-04-2009, 11:13 AM	#10
alphalanos Member 1996 Honda Civic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: nigeria Posts: 1,209	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... you should be able to fit a skinny intercooler. If not you just have to do whatever it takes to make it work. function>form. I wouldnt run any turbo setup without IC. __________________ 96 EJ6 4 DR VSM - 150,000 miles 35mpg - Honda Genuine Parts

11-04-2009, 11:28 AM	#12
93egSLEEPER Member 1993 Honda Civic My Garage Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 2,913	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... ill bet its a good 20-30hp if its a decent setup __________________ Daily-97 suby wagon- AT, AC and AWD Project--93 EJ1- LSV-T 340whp/258tq & The Beast--1970 CHEVELLE "I have never met more haters til the day I bought my Honda"

11-05-2009, 07:12 AM	#14
.mattyz_ Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: uʍop ǝpısdn Posts: 749	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... Just get an intercooler, and take off those stupid HIDs that you probably have in halogen housings without a retrofit, in addition to horn mounts - are you using Hella horns, or something? __________________ WESTCOASTFLAVA WESTCOASTFLAVA WESTCOASTFLAVA

11-05-2009, 07:47 AM	#16
infinitypro12 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nuclear City Posts: 386	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... If you don't want to actually run better forced induction use an intercooler. The is a reason they are used and aren't just for show, cooler air means better results. __________________ It's a forum, don't get your panties in a bunch.

11-05-2009, 08:28 AM	#17
grumblemarc Junior Member 1996 Honda Civic Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oak Ridge, TN, USA Posts: 318	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... With a little fab you could probably get something like this working. I don't know what your setup is so this may/may not be adequate. I wouldn't run with out one.

11-05-2009, 11:02 AM	#20
j.packsb Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 61	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... who in the world would rather have a body kit and horns over an intercooler for their turbo??..

11-05-2009, 11:44 AM	#21
JHP Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gardena, Ca, Use Posts: 269	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... Its all going to depend on your set up. No one is going to know unless you dyno your car with the FMIC and dyno it without. I looked around a little bit and some volvos had optional intercoolers on their turbo cars. The difference between the ones with them and the ones without was about 15-20 horsepower. Hope that helps.

11-05-2009, 02:27 PM	#23
SOHC_MShue Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Richmond, Va, usa Posts: 11,365	Re: Intercooler vs. non-intercooler.... There are way too many variables to give you an answer. For small amount of boost you can get by with without an intercooler I wouldn't even bother wasting the money to boost the car. __________________ Neptune Dealer www.adrenalineautoworks.com

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