Landracing Forum

Tech Information => EFI Questions => Topic started by: n49racer on April 05, 2018, 09:25:39 PM

Title: Water to air intercooler line size
Post by: n49racer on April 05, 2018, 09:25:39 PM

Hi all
Did a search and came with nothin so here's the question. I'm helping on a Stude putting in a water to air intercooler. The tank is mounted in the trunk. There are 2 steel tubes running the length of the car that are vacant but a -8 hose just fits in them. I'm not sure if that will be enough flow. . I might be able to run the water in the tubes themselves but they are steel so all the problems with that. It's a small-ish i/c 4.5 x 11 x 4.5 on the air side. Waddaya think?

Ted

Title: Re: Water to air intercooler line size
Post by: Dynoroom on April 06, 2018, 10:45:43 AM

My VERY Non-scientific method (which has worked well on many Bonneville cars I've been involved with) the system needs to flow at least 5 gallons per minute. hook up your system and see if you can fill a 5 gallon jug in a minute. I use -10 lines or larger myself. 

Title: Re: Water to air intercooler line size
Post by: SPARKY on April 06, 2018, 11:08:56 AM

on my radiator in a box ---very similar systems-- # 12 pressure side # 16 on the return   Our run is about 12' of line and we are pumping through a box not a core under pressure with a pump that is rated no head 55 gpm delivers not quite 9 through all of this "restriction"

Title: Re: Water to air intercooler line size
Post by: Eddieschopshop on April 06, 2018, 11:13:25 AM

Depends on the hp.  A number 8 is going to be too small for nearly all applications.  Of course I tend to go big.  but my air temps are 55 deg under full boost
I usually try to run at least 1" hose. Think about the size of your ice water tank.  If it can't flow that during the run then the tank is unnecessarily big or your not moving enough water.

Title: Re: Water to air intercooler line size
Post by: Eddieschopshop on April 06, 2018, 11:17:09 AM

Also,  which pump your using makes a big difference.  Most standard intercooler type pumps do not like any head pressure.  A lot of guys like me use bilge pumps which also do not like head pressure.  Any restriction and the flow goes down drastically. 

Title: Re: Water to air intercooler line size
Post by: Rex Schimmer on April 06, 2018, 01:54:34 PM

I would highly recommend the Davis-Craig water pump for this application, they give the water flow vs. pressure drop curves so you can actually design a working system. Remember the faster the water flows through the intercooler the better it works.

Rex

Title: Re: Water to air intercooler line size
Post by: n49racer on April 06, 2018, 04:25:42 PM

Thanks Guys
I was thinking -10 lines with a Mazier 35 gpm pump. The pump is designed for 20 psi. I'll know when I hook it up to see what restriction the core has. The engine should be around 550 hp.

ted

Title: Re: Water to air intercooler line size
Post by: n49racer on April 06, 2018, 06:16:12 PM

Thanks Guys for your responses. It sure is nice to have a place to go to ask questions and get knowledgeable answers. I think I'll try to sneak in 2 -12 hoses to be safe.

ted

Title: Re: Water to air intercooler line size
Post by: SPARKY on April 07, 2018, 12:31:57 AM

The return will enjoy a larger size if it has to run very far

Title: Re: Water to air intercooler line size
Post by: NathanStewart on April 25, 2018, 11:00:08 AM

I agree with Ed.  At least 1". 

Title: Re: Water to air intercooler line size
Post by: jimmy six on April 25, 2018, 11:14:17 AM

Not that it matters but my Meizere pump will empty my 9 gallon water tank in 12 seconds with a 1" feed to it and a -12 line out of it. My restrictions are on the return side..

Title: Re: Water to air intercooler line size
Post by: n49racer on April 25, 2018, 09:50:44 PM

Thanks for the input. We will be running -12 lines.

 :cheers:
Ted