larger intercooler reservoir

[rojizostang]

So I've read several threads here regarding the theories of reducing ait's and the associated steps that guys have taken to accomplish this feat. What I haven't picked up on is whether or not a larger reservoir would be of any real benefit.

I've added a fan to the upper heat exchanger, and have the 2014 gt500 intercooler pump on the way. I'm considering a larger reservoir, but I haven't really found anyone claiming this is part of the equation to help reduce ait's...

BTW it's a 2013 f150 5.0l with the roush stage II blower kit

does anyone have any experience in this regard? I mean without adding ice to the container, lol.

 

[JeremyH]

It would add a thermal reservoir delaying the time it would take to change a set temperature delta, but no I don't see it making it run cooler in per say. On paper it would be a double edged sword due to the high specific heat of water. While the increased volume will delay heating up it will also take longer to give up the heat on the back end. No personally experience with it though. If we are talking adding a quart or two or even a gallon with a larger tank or reservoir I don't see it having that much an impact that would be measurable anyway.

 

[rojizostang]

that's kind of what I was thinking.

I'm still not 100% certain an upgraded pump will make much of a difference, but there was a tread here just a few days ago where a few guys (including engineers) really hashed it out. It seemed increased flow is of use, up to a point. In that respect I decided to upgrade from the standard bosch cobra style pump to the larger late model gt500 unit.

And the fan I added does indeed help the temps to stay down at idle, meaning simply that the system doesn't have as much of a lag time to cool down once the vehicle is moving.

Any way I've put off using a larger reservoir thinking it would only delay heat soak, however not particularly reducing ait's across the board and on a permanent basis so to speak. Really I was looking for someone to tell me I'm wrong, and a larger reservoir would indeed help ait's on average.

 

[Marble]

I put a larger tank in and use ice at the track.

I gained .4 and 4 mph.

I would like a bigger/faster moving pump but I haven't had the coin or time to do anything about it. And I'm not sure I really need it anyways.

 

[07 Boss]

that's kind of what I was thinking.

I'm still not 100% certain an upgraded pump will make much of a difference, but there was a tread here just a few days ago where a few guys (including engineers) really hashed it out. It seemed increased flow is of use, up to a point. In that respect I decided to upgrade from the standard bosch cobra style pump to the larger late model gt500 unit.

And the fan I added does indeed help the temps to stay down at idle, meaning simply that the system doesn't have as much of a lag time to cool down once the vehicle is moving.

Any way I've put off using a larger reservoir thinking it would only delay heat soak, however not particularly reducing ait's across the board and on a permanent basis so to speak. Really I was looking for someone to tell me I'm wrong, and a larger reservoir would indeed help ait's on average.

A larger capacity will keep it cooler. The more volume the more Calories or energy it takes to heat it up. So x amount of calories will raise the temp of a gallon of water a certain amount of degrees. The same amount of calories applied to 2 gallons of water will not raise it to the same temp as the one gallon.

 

[rojizostang]

A larger capacity will keep it cooler. The more volume the more Calories or energy it takes to heat it up. So x amount of calories will raise the temp of a gallon of water a certain amount of degrees. The same amount of calories applied to 2 gallons of water will not raise it to the same temp as the one gallon.

I can see it taking longer to heat up, but you're saying it will heat less, because there is a larger volume of water, right?

If that's true, like Jeremy said, won't it also take longer for it to cool off, since it's still a larger volume of water? It seems like you're saying that it will just take a little longer to become heat soaked, the same as JeremyH is saying. No?

If that's not the case, I would like to know if anyone else has the same experience, that the ait's will be cooler simply because of a larger reservoir.

 

[hamish]

^ Only for a short period of time.
How long will it take to circulate that gallon or 2 of water?

 

[eighty6gt]

I didn't put mine on as a thermal sink, IMO that is ridiculous. With the way the water circulated with the 2013 GT500 pump and knowing others had issues with foaming/overflow I figured a larger tank would help the fluid degas.

Probably just added ballast!

 

[drive_55_not]

I can see it taking longer to heat up, but you're saying it will heat less, because there is a larger volume of water, right?

If that's true, like Jeremy said, won't it also take longer for it to cool off, since it's still a larger volume of water? It seems like you're saying that it will just take a little longer to become heat soaked, the same as JeremyH is saying. No?

If that's not the case, I would like to know if anyone else has the same experience, that the ait's will be cooler simply because of a larger reservoir.

From personal experience, adding a larger reservoir wont lower your IAT's under normal driving if that's what your after.

A larger tank will help keep the IAT's down under heavy load like a drag strip pass. When I track my car with intercooler reservoir fluid [50/50 mix] cold, then moving to the staging lane, burn out, staging and making a pass the fluid will be warm to 140 degrees by the time I get back to my trailer.

My IAT's stay in the 120;s on a 1/4 pass.

The most important thing I've found in keeping the IAT's down is keeping the interccoler and LTR cooling fins clean. If you're routing the PVC back through the blower you'll really need to clean the oil out of the intercooler every few months.

.

 

[rojizostang]

I didn't put mine on as a thermal sink, IMO that is ridiculous. With the way the water circulated with the 2013 GT500 pump and knowing others had issues with foaming/overflow I figured a larger tank would help the fluid degas.

Probably just added ballast!

Oh well I'm glad I read this. I hadn't heard of foaming/overflow problems with the later GT500 pump. I haven't been spending as much time on the forums lately.

I may have a pump for sale soon.

 

[808muscle]

I have that pump and no foaming whatsoever. I also have a larger tank. It has helped keep the heat soak down at the track for sure.

 

[Department Of Boost]

A larger degas tank is only an improvement for as long as it takes to get the water up to the system temp. Which is about 30sec. So it's useless. If you can pack ice in it and you're only making a short run it will show an improvement.

Additionally if the tank is aluminum most of the time it will be ADDING heat to the water. The engine compartment is hotter than the water temp most of the time.

 

[rojizostang]

thanks for the information, to everyone.

I believe I will pass on the aluminum/larger reservoir.

On to installing the pump.

 

[eighty6gt]

Makes you wonder why Ford put the larger degas on the GT500. Man, those guys.. what a waste!

 

[Department Of Boost]

Makes you wonder why Ford put the larger degas on the GT500. Man, those guys.. what a waste!

Larger than what?

 

[eighty6gt]

08ish cars had a smaller can than the later units, IIRC. Then it looks like the 2013 cars went back, with that bypass for the pump feed line.

Mother of god I can't find an engine shot with the degas I have. What the heck did I buy???!

 

[Department Of Boost]

2013 GT500. Same degas tank as the 07'.

 

[eighty6gt]

Yeah I found that out - When I was sold/bought that large IC reservoir I was squinting at parts diagrams and thought that the large tank was at least sold on an OEM vehicle at some point - and was manufactured for a reason. I guess not.

I would have rather just installed a GT500 reservoir and saved the weight.

 

[Pentalab]

The plastic de-gas on the Roush 10-12 cars is at least double the size as what's on the 05-09 cars. I estimated the total coolant is aprx 2 gals. At 4.5 gpm, it takes 30 secs to circulate....once. For dd /hwy /street use, it's ample for my application. The only drawback to any aluminum tank is it will absorb heat..vs a plastic de-gas.

 

[rojizostang]

thanks for the information. i'm going to install the Piersburg cwa50 pump in the near future. temps average I suppose 120ish to 125ish in normal driving. I suppose that isn't too bad, but if I can get them down some, I would be pleased.

of course it hasn't been more than 90 degrees here yet