North American Turbocoupe Organization



Radiator as an intercooler?
GoodSamaritan Offline
Junior Member
#1
Could radiator be used as an intercooler?
as long as the boost was kept below 15lbs?

Any reason why it wouldnt be a good idea?
Bryan
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Red_LX Offline
Member
#2
I would say it wouldn't work because radiators probably wouldn't hold up to that much pressure, and I don't know if air would flow through them as well as water does.
Garrett Hunt
Moderator, 2.3L & Turbos Forum @ forums.stangnet.com
'87 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
Windage tray, crank scraper, P&P head, RR, ARP head studs, P&P intakes, 60mm TB, Accel AFPR, Bob's log, T3, big FMIC, blow-thru VAM, Forge BOV, 3" exhaust, UPR shifter, gauges, etc.
My Turbo Coupe
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SteveX82 Offline
Posting Freak
#3
Quote:Originally posted by Red_LX:
I would say it wouldn't work because radiators probably wouldn't hold up to that much pressure, and I don't know if air would flow through them as well as water does.

I'm sure the usual 1" inlet / outlet wouldn't be too great for flow, either. Besides, a decent intercooler can be had for $50 or less, thereby eliminating cost as an issue.
Estoril blue 1987 TC 5spd, 148k mi, a237, Bailey BOV, spec stg3 clutch, spearco FMIC, 50 trim t3/t4, 3" exhaust, Bamafuel, LM1, 55pph
Best 1/4 mile: 12.31 @ 110mph on 25psi
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natmac3 Offline
Administrator
#4
Sure it'll work.

You also might try using a radiator cap as a blow off valve, and an EGR as an external wastegate.

[Image: smile.gif] I'm just kidding, honestly, the physics/functions seem similar but it'd never work.
1987tc
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#5
Might work, but not very well. A typical IC is an air to air heat exchanger, and a radiator is a water to air heat exchanger. Water and air have WAY different thermodynamic properties, so a radiator is designed way different than a IC.

------------------
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 20 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 00 Windstar (wifes vehicle)
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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2ManyRecklesses Offline
Member
#6
.. i also don't think a radiator would flow the air NEARLY as well as an actual intercooler..
"It takes two to lie, Marge. One to lie, and one to listen" - Homer Simpson.. my hero
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