Ep 3. Tank Testing for Air-to-Water Intercoolers
- TVPG
- April 7, 2023
- 19 min
In the third episode of season 8 of Engine Masters, titled "Tank Testing for Air-to-Water Intercoolers," the team tackles the important topic of intercoolers and their impact on engine performance. Specifically, the episode delves into air-to-water intercoolers, which are often used in high-performance applications.
The episode kicks off with an overview of intercoolers and why they are important. Essentially, intercoolers are designed to cool the air that enters the engine, which can lead to more horsepower and better performance. The team explains that air-to-water intercoolers are a popular choice because they offer better heat transfer than air-to-air systems.
From there, the team begins testing different intercoolers using a custom-built testing rig. This rig allows them to simulate real-world conditions by subjecting the intercoolers to hot, pressurized air while measuring both the inlet and outlet temperatures.
Throughout the episode, the team tests a variety of intercoolers, including some high-end options from well-known manufacturers. They also test some more budget-friendly options to see how they stack up against the pricier models.
One interesting aspect of the episode is the team's focus on the importance of water flow. They explain that the water flow rate can have a big impact on intercooler performance, so they test each intercooler at different flow rates to see how they perform.
The team also dives into the topic of heat soak, which is when an intercooler can become saturated with heat and then struggle to cool the incoming air. To test for heat soak, the team subjects the intercoolers to a prolonged heat soak period and then measures how quickly they are able to cool the incoming air once the heat source is removed.
Overall, the episode is a deep dive into the world of intercoolers and their impact on engine performance. The team provides plenty of technical details and expert insights, making it a must-watch for anyone who is interested in getting the most out of their engine.
