Intercooler questions

[Boss 351]

Hi, I have a novi 1220 that currently only runs at 6psi. With the new engine coming in, I plan on upping to 10 or 12psi.

With that in mind, would an intercooler be beneficial? I was planning on doing that this winter. I'm new to boosted applications so I'm thinking the intercooler will cool the charge for sure but would that 12psi drop because of all the extra piping that's needed? Do you need to compensate with and intercooler?

Also would a water to air cooler be a smarter setup since you wouldn't need to run the charge thought miles of pipe? But the drawback (to me at least) is the need of extra crap under the hood plus another water pump, tank, etc... If the system fails, it can dump water into my intake...

Does the cooler air really make that much difference?

Thanks

 

[2000xp8]

I'm not totally sure about the mounting of your version of the paxton, but consider using the vortech aftercooler. I've seen it mounted to several different superchargers some of which were not vortechs.

 

[bentley429isBAC]

How much timing. You don't really need a intercooler at 12 psi anyways. A2w are great, when your making big power no need now. Esp with a paxton or vortech they run alot cooler then prochargers. If you run a intercooler though typically you will lose about 2 psi.

 

[FastDriver]

I believe in intercoolers. Yes you will lose a little boost - nothing that can't be made up for. Efficient ones advertise a loss of around .5 psi, but I'll defer to anyone that's actually tested the theory instead of speculating. Certainly, you will be safer running 12psi with and intercooler than 12psi without. Hot air hurt power and increases the chances of detonation.

 

[Boss 351]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll wait on the intercooler idea for a little bit.