What would you do? (with this Intercooler option)

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I am trying to better understand when to make an additional add of an Intercooler if you practically get it for “free”. I have a higher class car sitting at 2777 lbs and I can add the STREET Intercooler to get an additional +13 HP and +10 kb-ft of increased torque. The already maxed-out PI stays the same (i.e. “free”), with added weight of 44 lbs (going to 2821).

So, what would you do? Do you have a good ratio in mind of HP or Torque versus weight that would tip your thinking one way (or the other)?

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That’s to much weight for me personally… I like my cars on a diet. I will check them out and if I can get 1 hp for 2 pounds I will do it. So that’s like 3 hp for 6 pounds and so on. So if u can put it on and then take weight back out enough then I would think about it but I usually don’t except for Le mans style builds

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Thanks Johnson. Yeah, this is more like 1 HP for ~3lbs (little bit more, 3.38). Can not reduce add’l weight via rims/driveshaft, and, want build to stay “as-is”.

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I never found the intercooler to be useful.

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I have been having the same dilemma. 2nd inter cooler option onwards only barely seems worth it

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Dp

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Yeah…only the STREET option makes you think about it. My top end does get a little bit better and the 0-60/0-100 are slightly better as well. When you compare the 60-100, then, they are only within 0.018sec apart (edge to Intercooler). So, basically the same! Unless there is any add’l benefit of the Intercooler!

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100lbs= 10hp -15hp. depending on who you ask. Doing the math 13 - 44/10= a gain of 8.6 hp. based on 100lbs = 10 hp.

That would make a difference in D class, maybe C. Don’t know how much affect it would have above those classes. In SUV’s, and really heavy cars, probably won’t have any real affect. To save an impending argument. It will also very on the cars power to weight ratio. The 100lbs=10hp is a general rule of thumb.

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Thanks for the insight Loco! So, if I look at the Power-to-Weight ratio, then the NO Intercooler option will come slightly ahead. HP/W = 0.3129 (w/o Inter), and, 0.3127 (with Inter). BTW, this is for S-class. What is weird is that the 0-60 and 0-100, plus top end (of course) come slightly above. Gains 2-3mph at Mulsanne. The delta for for Accel is very minor, as posted above.

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Depends on the track …if your gettin extra bhp for free use it.

It will pull better at topend aswell…but if you want pure accell…leave it out.

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I agree it depends on track if you need another 1mph or so for top end or possibly better acell .

At nur for instance I always pack a few more Bhp in if I can with inter cooler as it gives you a bit more pull and top end but for a all handling track then you might not .

It would also depend on the car and where the weight is and distributed too

So many variables to consider really and then if your still unsure the lap times never lie try both and see which is faster :slight_smile:

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Thanks Nasty! hmmm…good point for the Ring! One of my biggest issues is my driving ability, so, I am so inconsistent that I would not be able to tell. Yet, can get a better driver and that could make a difference (one way or the other).

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Good point Emmo! That’s why I do get a couple extra mph at Mulsanne, yet, the benchmark accel it’s pretty much even (mini edge to Inter by 0.018).

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Usually only use it if I’m purposely trying to lower the PI by a point or two to keep it in a class, which is sometimes does because of the added weight.

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Thanks Delta! Yeah, I have used it in several builds in the manner that you describe which is sweat to get under the magic number for the class. This one is a slightly tougher answer.

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If the car isn’t showing any over-steer characteristics to begin with, and the intercooler improves my 0 to 60 times and 0 to 100 times I tend to get it, but it usually doesn’t. That’s for front engine cars obviously. Sometimes I’ll get the intercooler for mid-rear engine just to get more weight over the rear wheels.

I also noticed the intercooler seems to give less torque per HP (which is strange because it doesn’t increase the RPM) than the other parts, so technically it should be more PI efficient.

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Thanks for the insights! Yeah, this is for a mid-engine and times are improved slightly, and to your point, the intercooler only provided +10 kb-ft versus +13 HP. Not sure why game does so.

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if you look on 0 - 60 mph/ 0 - 100 mph, you should focus your eye on 0 - 100 mph, 0 - 60 isn’t necessary in my opinion.

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Good point SCH1WO…most of the time your racing above 60 (even many tight turns). I had seen on a post by Worm indicating to look at the difference between the 0-60 and the 0-100, basically 60-100 accel. This intercooler option does give you a slight advantage on all 3 counts. Yet, right now I am leaning to not use it until I get a good driver (any volunteers?) to test it for me. Thanks!