An Intercooler reduces the in-take air temperature by as much as 70% which vastly improves not only power and torque, but reliability as well. |
Reducing the charge air temperature into the engine minimises the combustion temperatures allowing increased power and torque due to the cooler intake air. |
Typical charge air temperatures without an intercooler for the modern turbo charged vehicle will vary between 100 - 200 C. |
With a good intercooling system this will drop to between 40 - 60 C depending on the ambient air temperature. |
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| The Intercooler and Reliability |
In South Africa we have tough ambient temperature conditions putting extra strain onto turbo charged vehicles. |
The most common areas affected on turbo charged vehicles are turbos, cylinder heads and pistons. |
Many people believe that turbos fail because of lack of lubrication and bearing failures, which will result in damage to the turbo driveshaft. |
Although this can happen it is only responsible for the minority of turbo failures. |
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Average EGTs under full load should vary between 650°C - 800°C for modern turbo diesel vehicles and 700°C - 900°C for modern turbo petrol vehicles. |
Temperatures exceeding 900°C may cause turbo failure. |
Excessive EGTs will cause fatigue to the turbo material and will create heat cracks and eventually result in component failures. |
Intercooling will cool down the charge air and will result in cooler EGTs. |
In other words intercooling is one of the best ways to prevent turbo failures. |
A Intercooler will definitely help keep all engine components at a stable temperature. |
Cylinder head and piston failures will also be the result of excessive heat causing fatigue to these components. |
As for turbos, intercooling will result in lower operating temperatures for both cylinder heads and pistons. |