The Two Type of Intercoolers1. Air-to-Air IntercoolerAn air-to-air intercooler is a device used to cool the air compressed by a turbocharger or supercharger. Intercoolers are a vital part of forced induction systems, as they help reduce the engine’s intake temperatures, which in turn helps to increase power and efficiency. There are two main types of air-to-air intercoolers: front mount and top mount. Front-mount intercoolers are usually more extensive and effective than top-mount intercoolers, but they can be more challenging to install. Top-mount intercoolers are easier to install, but they may not be as effective at cooling the air.
Air-to-air intercoolers work by passing the compressed air from the turbocharger or supercharger through a series of fins or coils. These fins or coils help dissipate the heat from the air, which helps to cool it down. The cooler air then flows into the engine, where it can help to increase power and efficiency. Intercoolers can be made from various materials, but aluminium is often used because it is lightweight and has good thermal conductivity.
If you want to add an air-to-air intercooler to your forced induction system, there are a few things to consider. First, you need to make sure that the intercooler will fit in the space that you have available. Second, you must decide whether you want a front-mount or top-mount intercooler. Finally, you need to choose a material that will be durable and effective at cooling the air.
Advantages:
· Simplicity
· Lower cost
· Less weight
This also makes it by far the most common form of intercooling.
Disadvantages:
· Longer intake length due to having to get the intercooler to the front of the car
· More variation in temperature than air to water.PlacementThe best placement for an air-to-air intercooler is at the front of the vehicle. The “front-mount” is considered to be the most effective placement.
When the engine layout or type of the vehicle do not permit the “front-mount” placement, the intercooler can be mounted on top of the engine or even on its side. These placements will often require additional air ducts or scoops to route the air directly into the intercooler. However, these are not considered practical. This is because the airflow is not as effective. Thus, the intercooler can suffer from heat soak from the engine when the external airflow drops.2. Air-to-Water IntercoolerAn air-to-water intercooler is a type of intercooler that uses water to cool the air charge coming from the turbocharger or supercharger.
The main advantage of an air-to-water intercooler over a traditional air-to-air intercooler is that it can provide a much denser charge of air to the engine. This results in more power being produced by the engine, as well as increased fuel efficiency.
There are several disadvantages to using an air-to-water intercooler, however. One is that they are generally more expensive than traditional air-to-air intercoolers. Another disadvantage is that they require a constant supply of water, which can be difficult to maintain in some climates. Finally, air-to-water intercoolers can be more difficult to install than traditional air-to-air intercoolers.
Advantages:
· This makes them well suited to complex installations where space, airflow and intake length are an issue. Water is more efficient at heat transfer than air. Thus, it has more stability to be able to handle a broader range of temps.
Disadvantages:
· However, this system requires the added complexity, weight and cost of a radiator, a pump, water, and transfer lines. Typical applications for these are industrial machinery, marine and custom installs that don’t allow the easy fitment of an air to air, such as a rear-engined
· vehicle.PlacementThe air to water can be mounted anywhere in the engine bay as long as the radiator is mounted in a position with good airflow or a Thermo fan attached to it.