Author Topic: Water to air intercooler line size  (Read 8382 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline n49racer

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 154
  • Faster Faster
Water to air intercooler line size
« 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
B/STR  209.97 best
B/RMR  248.45 Record Holder 2012
B/FRMR  248.85 Record Holder 2012
2 club member 2012

Offline Dynoroom

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 2192
Re: Water to air intercooler line size
« Reply #1 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. 
Michael LeFevers
Kugel and LeFevers Pontiac Firebird

Without Data You're Just Another Guy With An Opinion!

Racing is just a series of "Problem Solving" events that allow you to spend money & make noise...

Offline SPARKY

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 6908
Re: Water to air intercooler line size
« Reply #2 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"
Miss LIBERTY,  changing T.K.I.  to noise, dust, rust, BLUE HATS & hopefully not scrap!!

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."   Helen Keller

We are going to explore the racing N words NITROUS & NITRO!

Offline Eddieschopshop

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 248
Re: Water to air intercooler line size
« Reply #3 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.

Offline Eddieschopshop

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 248
Re: Water to air intercooler line size
« Reply #4 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. 

Offline Rex Schimmer

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2625
  • Only time and money prevent completion!
Re: Water to air intercooler line size
« Reply #5 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
Rex

Not much matters and the rest doesn't matter at all.

Offline n49racer

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 154
  • Faster Faster
Re: Water to air intercooler line size
« Reply #6 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
B/STR  209.97 best
B/RMR  248.45 Record Holder 2012
B/FRMR  248.85 Record Holder 2012
2 club member 2012

Offline n49racer

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 154
  • Faster Faster
Re: Water to air intercooler line size
« Reply #7 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
B/STR  209.97 best
B/RMR  248.45 Record Holder 2012
B/FRMR  248.85 Record Holder 2012
2 club member 2012

Offline SPARKY

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 6908
Re: Water to air intercooler line size
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2018, 12:31:57 AM »
The return will enjoy a larger size if it has to run very far
Miss LIBERTY,  changing T.K.I.  to noise, dust, rust, BLUE HATS & hopefully not scrap!!

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."   Helen Keller

We are going to explore the racing N words NITROUS & NITRO!

Offline NathanStewart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1241
Re: Water to air intercooler line size
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2018, 11:00:08 AM »
I agree with Ed.  At least 1". 
El Mirage 200 MPH Club Member

Offline jimmy six

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2785
Re: Water to air intercooler line size
« Reply #10 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..
First GMC 6 powered Fuel roadster over 200, with 2 red hats. Pit crew for Patrick Tone's Super Stock #49 Camaro

Offline n49racer

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 154
  • Faster Faster
Re: Water to air intercooler line size
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2018, 09:50:44 PM »
Thanks for the input. We will be running -12 lines.

 :cheers:
Ted
B/STR  209.97 best
B/RMR  248.45 Record Holder 2012
B/FRMR  248.85 Record Holder 2012
2 club member 2012