If the car engine is equipped with a turbocharger, an intercooler must be installed in the system. This is a compulsory device in an engine with a turbocharger.
What is the intercooler for
In such engines, the air is absorbed very quickly and the air density increases and increases. On average, the temperature increase reaches 200 ° C. Also, rapid heating is facilitated by the work of the turbine itself, which to heat up with exhaust gases from the exhaust system. Moreover, in gasoline engines, hot air increases detonation, which affects the reliability of your unit.
To cool this air, use intercooler. He can cool the air to a temperature of 50 – 60 degrees Celsius. Due to this, the power increases, since in the cylinders the filling is better.
You just think by lowering the temperature by only 10 degrees, you can increase the power by 3%. But this is a net capacity profit. Using the intercooler, the air pressure is reduced, as this device prevents its rapid passage. So to speak, this device takes part of the power to add its effect of power adding. Full increase in power from the use of the intercooler – 20%.
Types of interculers
There are two types of intercouler – air and water cooling. The easiest is an air cooling intercooler, they are the most popular among motorists. It is installed between the intake manifold and the turbine compressor.
Air type
It is an aluminum heat exchanger in which the pipes system and special plates between them are located.
On the bends of these tubes, air is inhibitory, which reduces its pressure, and as a result, an increase in engine power. Plates are used to increase the area of heat transfer.
Installation of air type intercooler:
Above the engine under the hood (for this, a special form air intake is made);
Behind the front bumper in the central part (if the bumper design does not allow you to install the intercooler, then the cutout is made to install it);
In the side wings of the car (before that, special air intakes are made).
To install the intercooler on the car, you should calculate many structural and technical parameters. Under each engine its own parameters of the intercooler.
Liquid type
This type of intercooler has many positive aspects, which are not in the previous type. The first is the compactness of the intercooler, it can be installed, practically, anywhere. The second is water, it cools the air much more efficiently, but if it is heated, it takes a great time to cool.
Despite the compactness of the design, it is quite complicated. This type of intercooler has a heat exchanger, a water pump, an air radiator, an electronic control unit and a pipes system. Total in the car forms a double -circuit cooling system.
Still, this system is rarely used on cars, only in those points when the installation of an air type intercooler is impossible. Air water cooler is used on some cars with TSI engine.
The essence of the work of the intercooler we examined. We are waiting for comments and your views on the choice of the type of intercooler.