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  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

stock pulley + intercooler=loss of power

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stang01GT
  • Start date Start date Sep 2, 2007
S

Stang01GT

New Member
Apr 20, 2003
138
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0
New Jersey
Sep 2, 2007
#1
  • Sep 2, 2007
  • #1
i've noticed that almost everyone who installs an intercooler on there car they pulley down, some as small as 3.1 with the stock block. My questions is if you stick with the stock pulley and install and intercooler will you lose power or gain some power. I know you lose some boost with the intercooler but you can run more timing with the new tune and cooler.
 

BennyBlown2v

New Member
Dec 9, 2004
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Carmel, INdiana
Sep 2, 2007
#2
  • Sep 2, 2007
  • #2
It depends - if your intercooler setup is too inefficient then you'll have power loss, too much boost being lost vs the gains of being able to safely raise the timing (and colder intake charge in itself). I was running a 3.33" pulley non-intercooled, lost a couple PSI when I put the FMIC on...didn't lose any noticable ammount of power (my trap speeds at the track were the same as before), but I pulley'd down more to a 3.12" recently and it has the boost back and a bit more pep in its step also! (haven't been to the track with it yet, but my DR's are shot so track isn't gonna happen till next year anyway hah).
 
S

Stang01GT

New Member
Apr 20, 2003
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New Jersey
Sep 2, 2007
#3
  • Sep 2, 2007
  • #3
im confused on whats a safe pulley size to drop down to, im gonna be using a paxxton a/a blow thru and my tuner is fabbing up the piping with minimal bends and everything welded. The best i ran so far is a 12.4 at 114.41 so my car is making good power i just hate how the car feels when the iat temps go up and it pulls timing. I'd be happy making a bit more power nothing crazy, safety is the key so the most i'll drop down is a 3.4 or 3.48.
 
2

2002BLGT

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2003
2,945
4
59
Bedford VA
Sep 3, 2007
#4
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #4
Stang01GT said:
im confused on whats a safe pulley size to drop down to, im gonna be using a paxxton a/a blow thru and my tuner is fabbing up the piping with minimal bends and everything welded. The best i ran so far is a 12.4 at 114.41 so my car is making good power i just hate how the car feels when the iat temps go up and it pulls timing. I'd be happy making a bit more power nothing crazy, safety is the key so the most i'll drop down is a 3.4 or 3.48.
Click to expand...

go ahead and get a 3.3 pulley or even at 3.25 ...... 3.4 might not be enough to make up the difference ......
 

BennyBlown2v

New Member
Dec 9, 2004
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Carmel, INdiana
Sep 3, 2007
#5
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #5
2002BLGT said:
go ahead and get a 3.3 pulley or even at 3.25 ...... 3.4 might not be enough to make up the difference ......
Click to expand...

Agreed.
 

04YELLOWGT

Active Member
Jun 29, 2005
1,135
2
39
Indiana
Sep 3, 2007
#6
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #6
When I bought the Paxton A/A I went with a 3.25 and my boost level never changed. Also don't forget to pick up a new BPV, I bought the Vortech Mini Race
 

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
2,811
4
58
Four Oaks NC
Sep 3, 2007
#7
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #7
i lost 30 HP when i put my first IC on. i dropped from a 3.5 to a 3.4 and added a power pipe and still lost 2#.

my new one iis a better setup and i have a 3.25 pulley on it now. i'm currently making the same power i did before either IC. (375 hp)

at least the inlet twemps are down 100* from whatthey were
 

BennyBlown2v

New Member
Dec 9, 2004
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Carmel, INdiana
Sep 3, 2007
#8
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #8
SaleenGT2001 said:
i lost 30 HP when i put my first IC on. i dropped from a 3.5 to a 3.4 and added a power pipe and still lost 2#.

my new one iis a better setup and i have a 3.25 pulley on it now. i'm currently making the same power i did before either IC. (375 hp)

at least the inlet twemps are down 100* from whatthey were
Click to expand...

Dang, is that on a mustang dyno or something?? My car put down like 423 with just exhaust, intake, and vortech w/ 3.33" pulley
 

the98stang

Active Member
Aug 12, 2005
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47
Clovis, CA
Sep 3, 2007
#9
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #9
BennyBlown2v said:
but I pulley'd down more to a 3.12" recently and it has the boost back and a bit more pep in its step also!
Click to expand...

Same here. I see about 10 lbs at 5500 rpm. I'm sure I'll hit 12 if I goto 6000
 

BennyBlown2v

New Member
Dec 9, 2004
1,233
1
0
Carmel, INdiana
Sep 3, 2007
#10
  • Sep 3, 2007
  • #10
the98stang said:
Same here. I see about 10 lbs at 5500 rpm. I'm sure I'll hit 12 if I goto 6000
Click to expand...

You won't make 2psi in 500RPM, that sucker (blower) ain't that efficient
 

the98stang

Active Member
Aug 12, 2005
2,408
0
47
Clovis, CA
Sep 4, 2007
#11
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #11
BennyBlown2v said:
You won't make 2psi in 500RPM, that sucker (blower) ain't that efficient
Click to expand...

Heh, prolly won't gain 2lbs in 500, maybe 1500 rpm. my engine has seen 6500 before, but that wasn't my fault
 

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
2,811
4
58
Four Oaks NC
Sep 4, 2007
#12
  • Sep 4, 2007
  • #12
BennyBlown2v said:
Dang, is that on a mustang dyno or something?? My car put down like 423 with just exhaust, intake, and vortech w/ 3.33" pulley
Click to expand...

i wish!!

it was on a dynojet. my car has always put down really low numbers for the mods on it.
 
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