Airflow through intercooler/radiator question.

750hp · #1 (**permalink**) 11-20-2001, 06:34 AM

I sat my new 24"x12"x4.5" intercooler in place today and nearly had a heart attack! It looks big on the bench, but positively massive when crammed into the front of the Cobra.

My concern regards the flow of air through this intercooler into the radiator. They will both mount onto an alloy sheet, but the i/cooler sits in front, and vertical. The radiator is slanted so the top angles back at about a 35-40 degree angle. The base of the rad. nearly butts up against the base of the cooler.

Is there a problem with any low pressure areas on the radiator as a result of having the intercooler so close to the base of the radiator?

Here's a tiny basic little side-on drawing of what I'm trying to explain. Imagine the air in various shades of blue flowing from left to right, through the intercooler, then radiator. Are the pink swirly lines in between the two going to represent a low pressure area that won't flow any air, therefore making this cooling arrangement ineffective?

Thanks very much,
Craig

MRITTER · #2 (**permalink**) 11-20-2001, 07:47 AM

Craig,

I have the intercooler for my twin-turbo FFR 302 mounted exactly as you have it pictured, pushing 10-12 lbs of boost and have not had any problems yet. I am using a 3 flue HD Mustang radiator. My intercooler core is about the same size, but when you add the end tanks it makes it fill the hole even more.

I haven't run it in the summer months yet, but I do not think it will be a problem.

I did go ahead and add the Mocal oil cooler though, just to be safe.

I will let you know if any problems arise.

Mike

750hp · #3 (**permalink**) 11-20-2001, 09:55 PM

Mike, thanks for the reply! I'll be interested to hear how you get on with your turbo car in summer. I'll hopefully have mine finished by then also. I'm still not sure it's the absolute best way to mount the intercooler, but it has to be a reasonable starting point. I might steal DV's idea with the NACA duct on the nose cone for some more fresh air to the radiator.

Thanks,
Craig

MRITTER · #4 (**permalink**) 11-21-2001, 07:09 AM

Craig,

Here in the fall, the daytime temps are in the 70s usually and my Cobra temp runs around 170-180. After installing the HD radiator but before the turbos it wouldn't heat up at all - 140-160 even though I am running a 180 thermostat.

If I get on it for a while and run it hard the temp might see 190, but the electric puller fan comes on at 175, so it rarely gets above 190. Maybe if I was running on a road course for an extended period of time it would get warmer but I think I will be ok in the summer.

Hard to run that thing too hard on the street as it just goes too darn much. I try to save it for the drag strip, but ...well, you know.

Later,

Mike