Intercoolers...A question

[Michael Gough]

There are a LOT of intercoolers that are just like radiators. Very bad,
compared to what an intercooler *should* be. Good intercoolers have fins
inside the tubes to take the heat out of the air, being directly in the
compressed airstream they can take a lot of heat out. Radiators have no fins
inside the tubes, though many intercoolers don't either. Of the many
intercoolers I have kicking around here, the Ford Probe, and the Volvo both
have NO fins in the tubes, they are just like a radiator. By far the best I
have around here is from a Ford T-bird, it has incredibly dense fins inside,
and flows well too. Save your money and get a Spearco or similar.
On the topic of intercoolers.....Right now I'm working on a water-air setup
for drag racing my Quantum syncro, should be quite cost effective, and drop
the intake air temp well below ambient.
Mike

> [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
>        The question is basically where does intercooler construction diverge
> from the usual radiator? I have been looking for a larger intercooler and
> have noted more similarities than differences from a common radiator. My
> radiator shop can cobble up a radiator to fill all of the available space.
> Why not?
> Tom Faust