924Board.org

[ideola]

First a quick update: the motor is all the way out and pretty much disassembled...just waiting to line up some funds for the head work and balancing of the bottom end. Also, the AIR ultra wide rear quarters are at the terminal and should be delivered to my house on Friday

Now for the topic at hand: I am really debating about where to locate the intercooler. As I see it I have two realistic options:
1. reinstall the IC that came with the car in the standard Holbert location
2. go with a 944 front mount IC

So, now for the pros and cons:
Holbert location, arguments for:
- cheap (already have it)
- shorter and easier plumbing runs
- keeps the Holbert heritage
- will be more unique
Holbert location, arguments against:
- don't know if the IC is airtight (how can I test it????)
- don't have any performance specs on the IC (again, how to test????)
- end tanks and bracketry are crude, redoing would be costly
- will it get enough airflow in that location????

Front mount location, arguments for:
- know what to expect in terms of efficiency
- better airflow
- bling factor (will be visible through the front valance )
- easier to add water sprayers for add'l cooling
Front mount location, arguments against:
- have to procure one (presumably from Zuffen)
- longer and more difficult plumbing
- requires surgery to the front of the car
- sort of ho-hum...it's been done many times before

I plan to rebuild the wastegate with a 1.2 bar spring (along with boost controller, of course), so maximum cooling will be important. I also plan to install a methanol injection kit to assist with cooling the charge and octane boost.

As a reminder, I'm including some pix of the car before we tore it apart. The first photo has a superimposed image depicting the approximate size and orientation of the intercooler, and it also shows where airflow is baffled and directed at the IC. The IC itself is roughly 8" square on top, about 15" high, and weighs about 15 lbs. There are end tanks welded on opposite sides; one of the subsequent photos provides a view of the cheesy plumbing installed by the PO (which WILL be replaced with proper plumbing) to give you an idea of where it was originally routed. Finally, I've included a rendering of the car with the Lindsey Racing Stage V Header (i.e. nose panel) that I am planning to install. If the IC ends up in the Holbert location, the oversized oil cooler will go up there.









Oh yeah, and no comments please about needing new wheels and better fatter tires. I KNOW THAT ALREADY!!!! But those will be the last few details I worry about. Also, I've settled on a color scheme, but it's so cool, we're gonna keep it under wraps until the car is painted.

Final note: while I won't say money is no object, if I need to spend more to do the right thing, that's OK. However, I have ruled out all other options (like GT top mount location), and really want to settle on one of these two approaches. So, where should I put that intercooler????
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[My924gtc]

As per our many discussions I say go front mount (not necessarily 951) and change the intake path to better suit the plumbing needs. I agree about the ho-hum aspect but in the end it is all about efficiency, and there are things about the intake changes that will keep your install from having that BTDT look

If you were to go with the original location I would highly recommend having an all aluminum custom IC made up to fit precisely where you want it and funnel as much flow to that area as possible. Maybe even installing a low-pro fan to push/or pull air through it. At a minimum have a mister installed.

But you know my take, let's here from others.
_________________
MJ
'81 924 2.0L T
'82 924 2.3L SC/EFI <---online fall '06

Sponsor of the 944 Cup and Super Cup
Sponsor of the "2006 Battle in the Badlands"

[Khal]

[leadfoot]

Like this one
http://www.924.org/projects/projectFrank.htm

or modify your manifold plenum by cutting it off and using a 3" pipe with a 951 throttlebody fronting it. This will make your piping shorter and with less bends. The 951 intercooler are very efficient and you could also help reduce under bonnet temps by reducing the height of your firewall battery trays and if you are so inclind put some louvers at the back of the hood too.
This will free up the location for the oil cooler and the airflow path to the radiator will also be fairly open. It will also make the outlet tube not come anywhere near the turbo heat.
If you want to keep the holbert intercooler it may become quite a good air/water cooler with some modifications. At least get rid of that bellow tubing as if nothing else it's ugly...IMHO
BTW I really like the colour in the pics you did....
Leadfoot
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1981 ROW 924 Turbo -
carbon fiber GT mish mash
LS1 conversion in progress...

[Miker]

i say go for the 944 turbo location, better flow and bling bling!!
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1980 924 Turbo (in pieces right now, but getting there) almost there
1987 911 Carrera 3.2
2000 Getta VR6