 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Intercoolers. Any difference between brands in reality? |
 
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| hank Member Since: 12 Sep 2016 Location: South Wales Posts: 2301   
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There is plenty of choice when it comes to intercooler upgrades and the price range is eyewatering
I've scoured the forum for opinion but understandably it's usually owners recommending the one they bought... Is there any real world difference between them or are they all much of a muchness? Is there any notable difference that makes any one better than another? I read in one thread that the Alive one is "massive", the BAS has undergone flow testing/deveopment etc. Any input appreciated in helping me make a decision! Britpart £325 Serck £375 Terrafrima Fast Road £440 Allard £465 Allisport £480 Terrafirma Off Road £510 BAS £540 Twisted £545 Chipteck £600 IRB £650 Bowler £1200 Entreq? > 110 XS Double Cab Last edited by hank on 12th Feb 2019 1:13pm. Edited 2 times in total |
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12th Feb 2019 12:33pm |
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| donmacn Member Since: 06 Nov 2017 Location: Nth Scotland Posts: 1845 
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Hi Hank,
Afraid I won't be able to help too much - I guess what would be ideal would be someone with comparative experience with more than one of these. I'm not that guy unfortunately. As you've said, most folk will just say "I got mine and it's been great/OK/not worth it/broke". I've got an Allard kit to fit - but I'm just accumulating shiny stuff to ease cash flow until the weather gets warmer, so it's not gone on yet. I can tell you it looks nice and professional - but that's as far as it goes I'm afraid. Probably like you, I looked first into the question of needed or not needed. I found a few threads which pointed to colder engine temps, and "increased fuel efficiency" - though on that last point I'm probably more in agreement with those that say "if you have the power you'll use it" - despite best intentions. In the end, I'd read various things about various brands, and just went for one that seemed a good fit for me. Donald 1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong (The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html ) 2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8 in the past.. RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi 1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box 1993 Discovery 300Tdi not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper... |
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12th Feb 2019 12:49pm |
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| Zed Member Since: 07 Oct 2017 Location: In the woods Posts: 3301  
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IRB use PWR intercoolers. They cost about £650
Bowler use a bespoke race/desert spec version from PWR which will set you back £1200. Actual benefits will depend on how you use your motor. Best to get in touch with all the various suppliers to find out which, if any, are best for you. |
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12th Feb 2019 12:57pm |
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| hank Member Since: 12 Sep 2016 Location: South Wales Posts: 2301
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Thanks for responses so far.
Greeni - I have BAS remap but this is what I'm wondering. Many people are reporting good performance on the standard intercooler, though some report failure of he standard intercooler. Zed - more eye watering than I first thought! > 110 XS Double Cab Last edited by hank on 12th Feb 2019 1:30pm. Edited 2 times in total |
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12th Feb 2019 1:11pm |
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| windy81 Member Since: 14 Mar 2018 Location: North Wales Posts: 311 
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When i bought my VGT Turbo they specify the guarantee is subject to having an uprated intercooler.
The IC reduces the thermal stress on the turbo i'd guess is what that means |
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12th Feb 2019 1:17pm |
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| tookaphotoof Member Since: 18 Mar 2013 Location: dordrecht Posts: 1279  
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Having the oem intercoolers and hoses split on both my Defenders, I’d say I disagree... i fitted a the intercooler and silicon hoses from BAS. Not saying I’ll never run into trouble again, but they give me a lot more confidence. That alone is worth some money for me. |
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12th Feb 2019 1:17pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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The intercooler is after the turbo and it's function is to loose some of the heat that turbocharging produces. That may reduce thermal stress on the engine but not on the turbo. Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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12th Feb 2019 1:29pm |
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| donmacn Member Since: 06 Nov 2017 Location: Nth Scotland Posts: 1845
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^^^^^^^
Wouldn't cooler intake air (from a larger intercooler) reduce overall combustion temps; so stress on the engine, and also lower temperature/cooler exhaust gasses entering the turbo? It seems 'logical' to me - but maybe not correct, or too marginal to make much difference? Donald 1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong (The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html ) 2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8 in the past.. RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi 1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box 1993 Discovery 300Tdi not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper... |
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12th Feb 2019 1:32pm |
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| Zed Member Since: 07 Oct 2017 Location: In the woods Posts: 3301
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Yep, a bonkers price tag but I guess if you are racing across the desert and need the best then deep pockets are essential.
This is definitely the case with most things on here. Also some of the 'performance ' companies talk a whole heap of twaddle which only muddies the waters further but few conversations will tell you a lot about both supplier their product. Especially if you ask for actual data. That and reading between the lines can save an awful lot of cash. As you have a BAS map Pete would be my first call. Even though he sells his own intercooler he is refreshingly honest about it's real world benefits. |
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12th Feb 2019 1:34pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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As I said, the intercooler is positioned after or downstream of the turbo, so it has no effect on the temperature of the air entering the turbo.
edit: sorry, I missed the words 'exhaust gasses' in that comment. What you say may well be true but is only incidental to the main purpose of the IC. Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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12th Feb 2019 1:36pm |
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| donmacn Member Since: 06 Nov 2017 Location: Nth Scotland Posts: 1845
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^^^ thanks Darren - yes, I understand that on the intake side, but on the 'drive' side, where the exhaust gasses are driving the turbo, would it make no difference there?
And if not, then why do BAS require/suggest a larger intercooler to go with their VNT? If everything else is 'downstream' of the turbo, then why would it impact on the turbo longevity? I could see it being a 'performance' argument: "I fitted one of your VNT Turbos and it made no difference, I want my money back" - sort of thing; but I'd have thought from the way it's worded that there was more to it than that? Edit - hadn't seen your edit! Donald 1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong (The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html ) 2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8 in the past.. RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi 1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box 1993 Discovery 300Tdi not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper... |
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12th Feb 2019 1:39pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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I think the recommendation for a larger IC to go with a VNT turbo is because the latter produces more heat, which must then be lost again to get the benefit from it. Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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12th Feb 2019 2:28pm |
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| windy81 Member Since: 14 Mar 2018 Location: North Wales Posts: 311
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https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/Blog/Intercooling/ |
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12th Feb 2019 2:45pm |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816  
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One of the big differences which differentiate various intercoolers quality is the type of welding. Suggest to take a look at the Alive Ultimate intercooler, essentially identical to the Entreq intercooler.
Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation. http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I https://vimeo.com/201482507 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw |
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12th Feb 2019 3:34pm |
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