General > Product Reviews
THS Intercooler for 2.0TFSI Cars
Teutonic_Tamer:
--- Quote from: Janner_Sy on July 05, 2009, 06:27:04 pm ---are there downsides to having such large capacity intercoolers, such as extra lag maybe.
its ok having really cool intake temperatures but if your spool up suffers with lag, it could make sense to stick to the S3 intercooler.
--- End quote ---
The crucial issue with intercoolers is their internal flow rates. A highly efficient i/c may actually see a drop in boost pressure, because it can deliver a higher 'CFM'. And there is now way an intercooler can affect turbo lag.
vRS Carl:
If you see a drop in boost pressure will this not create lag though as surely the lower pressure means it takes the turbo longer to spool up?
Or is that not how it works?
KRL:
^^^ Carl, I think what T_T means is that an intercooler with a very efficient flow rate will mean the turbo will not need to boost as much to meet the specified boost.
The measurement for boost with VCDS is taken post the intercooler. So for example if you are boosting at 20 PSI the turbo may actually be boosting at 25 PSI to make that 20 PSI post the intercooler. All the stuff between the turbo and intake manifold (intercooler, pipes, tb pipe) will cause a drop in boost pressure.
Therefore if you have an intercooler with a highly efficient flow rate it will mean the turbo is not having to work as hard to meet the specified boost. For example with an uprated intercooler it may now be boosting at 23 PSI to make that 20 PSI post the intercooler.
These figures are just exmaples so not accurate to any specific intercoolers.
KRL:
It is actually explained very nicely on THS's website!
Pressure drop
How does reducing pressure drop help?
On the 2.0TFSI engine the boost pressure is measured on the up-pipe after the intercooler. However the boost pressure here, or at the intake manifold will be less than that at the turbo outlet. This is because of the restriction of the intercooler and pipe work.
Example restrictive core
Intake manifold pressure: 25 psi
Restriction / Pressure drop: 6 psi
Turbo outlet the pressure: 31 psi
Reducing the pressure drop by means of a more efficient intercooler and pipe work requires the turbo to produce less boost pressure at its outlet whilst still maintaining the required boost pressure at the intake manifold.
Example free flow core
Intake manifold pressure: 25 psi
Restriction / Pressure drop: 3 psi
Turbo outlet the pressure: 28 psi
This has 2 distinct advantages:
Compressing air causes it to increase in temperature, the less it is compressed the colder it remains.
An intercooler which offers good cooling but with a high pressure drop due to restrictive core and excessive pipe work is less efficient than one with similar cooling but a less restriction.
The turbo is not working as hard to produce the same requested boost at the manifold. Prolonging the life of turbo.
stealthwolf:
Thanks - a much clearer post.
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