Re: Intercooler / turbo / lag

[DeWitt Harrison <de@aztek-eng.com>]

On Sat, 22 Nov 1997 14:47:44 -0500, Bruce wrote:
>[ ... responding to QSHIPQ who said things like ... ]
>>> where do we give credence to the "Spearco" results. Or are we just
>>>to "assume" them valid?
>
>I think Spearco is accepted as knowing what they are doing in testing IC's,
>but, again, Spearco doesn't matter so far as my question is concerned.
>
>>>The posted results of those "Spearco" tests show that Audi came up
>>>with a VERY different number.
>
>Wasn't your buddy Jarrett running a Spearco?  I *think* Ned is [was].
>ANy question that Spearco makes a damned fine intercooler?  
>
>>>Given the conclusions that SoC HAD to draw with his "test" results,
>>>stage II mods should have blown up turbos before now.
>
>Too big a jump for me to make.  Is it not possible that the Spearco numbers
>show a real performance weakness in the Audi---at least when mods are
>concerned?  IF the numbers are correct, what % of the RS2 turbo potential
>are you actually seeing with the stock IC?

Life is so complicated and the truth is so hard to know.  It is far too
easy to put our own spin on the "facts" by selecting the underlying
assumptions or test methods and/or choosing whether to reveal those
assumptions or methods.  IF we are serious about finding and
_communicating_ the truth, the best we can do is to post our results
AND our methods, accurately. Unqualified statements of fact, no
matter how credible the source and even if not "spun," have only
limited value.

Case in point is Spearco's determination of stock IC efficiency per Eric.
Since this number can be _anything_ depending on the test conditions,
the number isn't useful, on it's own, without stated conditions. The
860103 paper does clearly state test conditions.  To be fair, OTOH,
it can be somewhat useful to say that when two ICs are tested under
the same conditions, one IC gives X efficiency and the other Y. Eric
may have been providing such an X/Y result comparison. However,
if the test method is also given, as is the accepted scientific standard,
then it is possible for the reader to extrapolate the results to his own
application. MUCH more useful. I have not dealt with Spearco yet
so I don't know how helpful they may or may not be.

Be all that as it may, nearly everybody who has become serious
about intercooling has come up with some sort of Spearco piece
on the front of their car. That would include Carl, Ned, Scotty
Davis, Eric and many others. Spearco must have at least 2 dozen
different proprietary (key word) 5kt/200/urq apps in their files.
Nobody denies it.  One question is how much can it buy you? 
Another is compared to what? And still another is what do you
need anyway? The answers are ... blowing in a wind   :-0  of
but-what-ifs, but-he-saids and unqualified facts. On the bright
side, eventually, the truth will out. Be patient. Stay tuned.

DeWitt Harrison    de@aztek-eng.com
Boulder, CO
88 5kcstq