Those running front mount intercoolers!!! HELP!!!

[1991stang50]

Ok, so im talking with my tuner about a custom supercharger setup that will require the use of a front mount intercooler. I want to go as big as possible to support bigger numbers down the road. What WIDTH intercooler can we run on the s197's without cutting? I understand the mounting will require some fab work, but i am looking for a unit that will slide between the radiator and the bumper support AS IS. i have the height and length demensions already, but last time i had my front bumper off i forgot to measure the maximum width. Any thoughts, ideas, or personal experience?
Thanks everyone!!!!!
Kreston
[email protected]

 

[Hawgman]

Buy a Gords with a S197 mount kit and be done with it.

 

[1991stang50]

Buy a Gords with a S197 mount kit and be done with it.

not familiar with this...can i get some info/details?
thanks!!

 

[94tbird]

+1 on the gords unit

http://www.gordsfordperformance.com/

my intake temps were 118 after a 3rd pass on the dyno with no cooldown time

Nothing cools better IMO

 

[1991stang50]

im running a centri charger, didnt know you could use a heat exchanger on these....have i missed something?

 

[Freaknazty]

Billy ( 05stroker ) ran a 4" thick one before but he had to notch the backside of the bumper support , The one that came with my powerhouse kit was a good 2.5" thick if not more and fit like a champ

 

[1991stang50]

i think i can get a 3" thick to work....thanks everyone...

 

[05roush0090]

The paxton/vortech A/A intercooler is 3.5" thick (24x13x3.5)

 

[BlownSnake]

Ok, so im talking with my tuner about a custom supercharger setup that will require the use of a front mount intercooler. I want to go as big as possible to support bigger numbers down the road. What WIDTH intercooler can we run on the s197's without cutting? I understand the mounting will require some fab work, but i am looking for a unit that will slide between the radiator and the bumper support AS IS. i have the height and length demensions already, but last time i had my front bumper off i forgot to measure the maximum width. Any thoughts, ideas, or personal experience?
Thanks everyone!!!!!
Kreston
[email protected]

Ok, wht type of Centri SC are you planning on running? ProCharger, Paxton, Vortech, Rotex or what? Will the SC be self-contained or oil fead? What is your engine combo? What size injectors? One thing to remember, is that bigger is not always better when it comes it intercooler wether it is Air to Air or Air to Water. It comes down to effeciency and boost loss period.

+1 on the gords unit

http://www.gordsfordperformance.com/

my intake temps were 118 after a 3rd pass on the dyno with no cooldown time

Nothing cools better IMO

Trust me there are much better heat exchangers out there that by far out perform Gords, Afco, LFP, Steeda and etc.

im running a centri charger, didnt know you could use a heat exchanger on these....have i missed something?

It can be done, but it really depends on how much $$$ and the use of the car.

The paxton/vortech A/A intercooler is 3.5" thick (24x13x3.5)

Remember bigger isn't always better.

 

[s8v4o]

Remember bigger isn't always better.

Tell that to my wife. Seriously though, provided the IC is efficient other than MINOR "lag" what are the negative affects?

 

[TexasBlownV8]

I ran a 3" wide (and 30" wide x 12" tall), but there was room for 3.5". Moved the power steering coolant line out of the way as well to get a little more room.
IMO, an air/ari FMIC is FANTASTIC for keeping IATs down.

 

[Charlie Sheen]

...Trust me there are much better heat exchangers out there that by far out perform Gords, Afco, LFP, Steeda and etc...

And those "much better" ones would be from...?

 

[BlownSnake]

Tell that to my wife. Seriously though, provided the IC is efficient other than MINOR "lag" what are the negative affects?

LOL! Tell your wife it is not the size of the pen, it is how you sign your signature! The "negative effects" can be small but play a big role in efficiency and boost drop. "Lag" is pretty much non-existant these days unless the turbo or SC is poorly matched to the set up. The efficieny comes from the build of the intercooler and proper fin design. I have seen many different combo's from complete manufacture kits from ProCharger, Paxton, Hellion and Vortech, which perform great with good results. But with the tight rules of race classes and especially the Drag Radial classes with very limited parts, head and intake combo's and limits on the size of the Turbo and SC's we have had to go back to the drawing board and see where we could "improve" on what we currently have without breaking the rules. We looked at having the entire top end of the engine Extrude Honed but for the $$$$ we would see very minial gains for the $$$$ spent. So we the started looking at the route of the intake piping but due to the engine configurations with the intake and everything else under the hood it wasn't worth spending the extra $$$ on that either. So we then started looking at the size of the intercooler and the weight of it and go the idea to flow bench it. That is where we learned alot about intercoolers and there designs. We were running the ProCharger IC and running 23-25 lbs of boost measured at the IC inlet and the outlet boost only measured 19 lbs of boost, so this got me think that is the restriction. So we then started looking for IC manufactures and calling them and looking for data, many of the manufactures would not release their info which kinda pissed me off, but I can understand why they don't give any info about their products. So I then contated Spearco and talked to them and got the same thing, they wouldn't give me any info other than a price which was VERY expensive. So I kept on researching and ran across a turbo company in NC and gave them a call and man was I suprized about how knowledgable the guy was about his products and I deff like the fact that they are made in the USA and by Griffin and not to mention the very reasonable prices as well. To make a long story short I ended up buying one from them and their IC was the same size of the ProCharger IC and I then decided to flow bench it and I was blown away with the results. I was still seening 23-25 lbs of boost at the IC inlet and saw 23.5-24 lbs of boost at the outlet! The power gains resulted in 96 RWHP and 11-12 degrees cooler intake! I was more than happy with the results and not to mention that the new IC weighed 4 lbs less than the ProCharger IC. And they don't charge more for custom sizes either.

And those "much better" ones would be from...?

They are from http://www.velocityturbosystems.com/custom_mustang_performance_turbo_systems.html

I highly reccommed giving them a call. Hope this helps.

 

[s8v4o]

Don't forget the other end of the equation though, thermal dynamics. Pressure drop is one thing and how well it gets rid of the heat is another thing. Did you guys datalog inlet and outlet temps for both IC's? Where they tube fin or plate fin? "Generally speaking" while comparing intercoolers of the same design they will start to increase boost loss as they dissipate more heat, it's the nature of the beast. The key is to find a happy medium.

So remember that each lb of boost may net anywhere from 20-28 HP increase but for every 10 degrees you lower you intake temps you can increase power 1-1.5%. So if the end result is a wash per say, then I will choose the one that will yeild lower intake temps as it will reduce your detonation threshold.

 

[1991stang50]

this thread sure went crazy....i was kinda hoping for a simple answer and now im not even sure if my seat position is accurate....

 

[s8v4o]

this thread sure went crazy....i was kinda hoping for a simple answer and now im not even sure if my seat position is accurate....

First, how much boost are you planning on running? You only "need" an intercooler if you are running 7-8 or more psi. If you are below that don't waste your time or money.

If you are going to be running an intercooler fact of the matter is pretty much any IC for the S197 will probably do you fine. The only reason to get the largest IC possible for the S197 is if you are running REALLY high boost and or you have limitations/reestrictions due to certain classes. On that note don't overthink it and buy one that is cost affective for you as I'm sure you'll be happy with the results.

Hope that helps.

 

[1991stang50]

First, how much boost are you planning on running? You only "need" an intercooler if you are running 7-8 or more psi. If you are below that don't waste your time or money.

If you are going to be running an intercooler fact of the matter is pretty much any IC for the S197 will probably do you fine. The only reason to get the largest IC possible for the S197 is if you are running REALLY high boost and or you have limitations/reestrictions due to certain classes. On that note don't overthink it and buy one that is cost affective for you as I'm sure you'll be happy with the results.

Hope that helps.

thats kinda what i was really hoping to hear....thanks for the reply....