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. |
|
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. |