Water to air intercoolers has been gaining popularity in recent years as an alternative to a traditional air to air intercoolers. A water to air intercooler works on the same principles as an air to air intercooler but uses coolant instead of compressed air in order to cool down the intake charge of the engine. The purpose of the intercooler is to reduce the temperature of the intake charge before it enters the cylinders, allowing more power to be generated and also reducing knocking within the engine as lower fuel octane can be used due to this cooling effect. Read on to know more about these intercoolers.
What is an intercooler?
An intercooler is a device used to cool air that has been compressed by a turbocharger or a supercharger. By cooling the air, the intercooler increases the density of the air, which allows more oxygen to enter the engine. This in turn increases the power of the engine. There are two types of intercoolers: water to air intercooler and air to water intercooler. A hydraulic oil cooler and air to water intercooler kit work similarly. Both of these devices help keep the temperature down on your car’s motor oil so it doesn’t break down as quickly when put under pressure from high-powered cars. The air to water intercooler kit looks like a regular radiator but with one important difference: it includes an air intake pipe rather than a radiator’s outtake pipe.
The purpose of this setup is to remove heat from the coolant fluid, thereby lowering its temperature before returning it back into the system. Air will pass through this radiator coil just like an air conditioner does but with some added heat absorption properties for increased performance.
A hydraulic oil cooler typically only operates during vehicle operation and not at idle like air to water intercooler kit does; however, it can offer better thermal protection because of higher capacity due to design restrictions on air flow rates
How does it work?
A water to air intercooler uses hydraulic oil to cool air before it enters the engine. The intercooler is mounted in front of the radiator and has a fan that pulls air through it. The hydraulic oil cooler is connected to the engine and uses engine coolant to keep the oil cool. The intercooler has a finned aluminum core that helps dissipate heat. The cooler the air, the denser it is, and the more power your engine will make. With water to air cooling, you have a smaller surface area for your hot fluid to travel over than with an air-to-air design. That means less pressure drop across the cooler and a denser, more powerful charge into the engine. As a result, water to air coolers can offer better cooling performance at high RPMs as well as greater durability since there are fewer moving parts involved.
Who should use them?
Anyone who wants to maximize power or run his car hard on the track or drag strip. If you don’t want to worry about keeping the system full of coolant or running low on hydraulic oil, then you may want to consider an air-to-air system instead. An alternative to either type of system is a hybrid setup where the compressor uses both air and water. In that case, you’ll be able to get some additional cooling from your radiator without sacrificing too much horsepower or efficiency. These types of systems are usually pricier but worth considering if you plan on doing a lot of intense driving. Hybrid setups are also great for street drivers looking to improve the longevity of their engines.
Does it help you save time and money?
A water to air intercooler is a device that helps improve the efficiency of your car’s engine. It does this by cooling the air that goes into the engine, which makes the combustion process more efficient. As a result, your car will use less fuel and produce fewer emissions. In addition, you may see an increase in horsepower when you have a water to air intercooler installed.
Main photo: Tim Mossholder/unsplash.com
