Intercooling Supercharged V8

[JustCallMeOrlando]

Hey all,

Just doing some pondering out loud. A future project of mine is likely to have a 1UZFE and hopefully of the supercharged variety. I was doing some digging around, if I'm going to do it, I'm definetly going to intercool it.

I was thinking along the lines of water/air intercooling, partially because it just seemed logical and "the done thing". Something like the Bullet Landcruiser supercharger kit (of course, not from Bullet ):

Air/air intercooling was sort of tossed to the side because of difficulties in doing it, and wanting the supercharger to remain in the valley, until I came across this:

It's actually for a V6 Commodore engine, but surely the design could be carried over to the 1UZ.

I was thinking for a street car, the air/air setup would probably be the way to go. Sure water can remove more heat, but you've got a limited quantity to do it in, and ultimately you're limited by the amount of heat that can be removed by the radiator for it. That in addition to less parts puts air/air a few points ahead in my book.

As an aside, the same place who has the above manifold was describing that to really be effective the water/air setup has to have a core around 3" thick which then poses issues with bonnet clearance. Of course, this could be marketese to get you to buy their product instead.

The other consideration I'm sure I'll have to work around is bonnet clearance.

What do people think, and how would they tackle the problem? Is there decent intercooler setups for the 1UZFE in a supercharged combo already? Anyone is welcome to contribute.

Cheers,
Nathan

[Bored?]

The main issue with that setup would be the very large volume of the induction path between the throttle body and the engine, assuming you retain the throttle before the super-charger.

[JustCallMeOrlando]

Yeah, that was also a consideration of mine, similar to those who put a front mount on a WRX. Lots of piping.

[Talasas]

My vote would be for the Water/Air setup. The limited water you are concerned about can be worked on by upping the water capacity of the system (use longer lines and fit a large or multiple coolers). I've got a few mini radiators at home and they are very effective designs which weigh next to nothing, you could fit two of them in your engine bay and not sacrifice hardly any space.

[JustCallMeOrlando]

The water/air approach is a lot more stealthy, the other question I keep coming back to is how thick the water/air core needs to be underneath the supercharger to be truly effective.

[Malicia]

What car will this be for?

I am currently getting all part required to run a setup like this:





The Supercharger shown is an Eaton M90, I will be running an Eaton Mp112.

With this setup the supercharger can be plumbed into the intercooler then back into the engine and all hidden under the bonnet.

Looks like this when done:






Here is what the manifold looks like:









The Manifold is a custom using a cut up stock intake and kept very low to ensure clearance. The M90 clears fine and I am told the Mp112 "should" just clear. If you want more info on this setup PM me and I'll pass on contacts.

[Joshstix]

The new Ford GT runs a water to air cooler setup the same design as the bullet one. They are rated at 550hp from the factory and there is at least one out there with a pair of GT35's running over 1000rwhp wit hthe stock intercooler setup.

[chris davey]

I don't have much to add other than if you are going to supercharge a v8 and not have it in the valley, surely you could cut the bonnet and have it poking out nicely. I thought that was the main attraction of the supercharger

That setup above looks pretty neat though. Very stealth if you want to keep it that way.

As was said, what car? What is the goals for this car? phat laps cruiser, daily, circuit, drag etc.?

I would think this would be a big contributing factor when making the decision on intercooling.

[JustCallMeOrlando]

I've seen that MWP. Looks good. It's amazing how so many people can come up with a similar concept. I like that one, because it's feasible that a mate of mine could knock it up. Car is a JZA80.

Hmm, interesting Josh. I wonder how thick the GT core is, I'd imagine they have probably more height room than I'd be working with, but definetly something to look at.

[JustCallMeOrlando]

It's going to be a daily driver that shouldn't fall apart on the circuit or fanging down a country road. Of course it will hit the drags, but that's not the priority.

Plan is to use a Whipple charger, I know they're more expensive, but the idea of a twin-screw appeals.

[Joshstix]

Look into the Mustang stuff in the states. They run a lot of water to air intercooled blown setup's, actually the Cobra comes with it from the factory I believe.

[oldcorollas]

here is a stock Saleen cooler... doesn't look real big..
i guess the thickness you use depends on the residence time...and how well you want it to work .. wider core or thicker core = more residence time


this looks a little nifty
http://www.allen-superchargers.com/mustangGT/99.html

this is also pretty....
http://www.saleen.com/supercharger.htm
uses space efficiently.. by putting the plenum above, and mounting the SC lower in the valley, you have have a thicker core, and longer runners....

[JustCallMeOrlando]

I like that last one, I wonder if there is enough room to do it with a 1UZ.

[JustCallMeOrlando]

Hmm, the starter motor could pose a problem, depending on the length of the charger.

[oldcorollas]

for the 2.3L opcon.. and inlet is at the back..
http://www.opcon.se/www/files/lysholm/pdf/dimensional drawings/2300AX.pdf

dimensions and charts here..
http://www.opcon.se/subStart.asp?ContentID=15&CatID=87