Intercooler As Cai???
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 11
From: Denver Co
Vehicle: 1999 Hyundai Tiburon
Just kicking this around! Not sure if it is possible or would be worth the effort, BUT....
I am thinking about boosting my car in the not so close but not to far future (within the next two years) and was pondering the idea of getting an intercooler NOW and using it as my CAI. Seems to me that it would be more efficeint in getting colder air than just a simple CAI, but I am not sure if it would create negative pressure (since there is no turbo pushing air through it) resulting in lost performance. Also, more piping may yield more restriction. Damn, am I answering my own question???
Let me know what you think, this might be something us N/A guys could borrow from the boosted world! B)
I am thinking about boosting my car in the not so close but not to far future (within the next two years) and was pondering the idea of getting an intercooler NOW and using it as my CAI. Seems to me that it would be more efficeint in getting colder air than just a simple CAI, but I am not sure if it would create negative pressure (since there is no turbo pushing air through it) resulting in lost performance. Also, more piping may yield more restriction. Damn, am I answering my own question???
Let me know what you think, this might be something us N/A guys could borrow from the boosted world! B)
You answered your own questions mang smile.gif. The added pipe/bends would be restrictive and would not flow as well. The idea behind a good CAI is 1 cold air and 2 straightest pipes possible.
No, it won't work on a N/A car.
WIth a N/A car, you are sucking in outside air. You can't cool 75 degree air by running more 75 degree air over it. It will alwasy be....75 degrees.
Now, if you used a water/air intercooler, and used colder than ambient (in above example, 75 degrees) water, then yes, it would have an effect (not much, but an effect).
With a turbocharger or supercharger, you are compressing the air. Anytime you compress the air, you heat it. You use an intercooler to remove that heat.
WIth a N/A car, you are sucking in outside air. You can't cool 75 degree air by running more 75 degree air over it. It will alwasy be....75 degrees.
Now, if you used a water/air intercooler, and used colder than ambient (in above example, 75 degrees) water, then yes, it would have an effect (not much, but an effect).
With a turbocharger or supercharger, you are compressing the air. Anytime you compress the air, you heat it. You use an intercooler to remove that heat.
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,832
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From: Fort Erie, Ontario
Vehicle: 2004 Acura TL
Yup not only that but the air is moving a bit faster too.
Just get one of those ricey intakes that came out for the honda first. You guys know what ones I'm talking about. LOL
Just get one of those ricey intakes that came out for the honda first. You guys know what ones I'm talking about. LOL
i just wanted to bring this back from the dead real quick.
it would'nt hurt you if you did this, i did it for about 2 weeks on a 99 eclipse prior to adding the turbo kit. just make sure you pit a filter on the other side of the inner cooler so you dont suck up dust and dirt.
the thing about cooling 75 degree air with 75 degree air is a little wrong. when the car is moving and air is slicing through the fins of the inner cooler, it is actually cooler than 75 degrees so it would cool a little.
as for the gains, you would see a better gain than stock but not as good of a gain with a aem or injen cai.
if you are going turbo and already have the fmic and want to throw it on and use if as a cai, it wont hurt your car unless you drive through a mud puddle or heavy rain because the filter will be a lot lower than a regular cai
some people may pull the rice card and blah blah blah but hey, i am a ricer anyway.
it would'nt hurt you if you did this, i did it for about 2 weeks on a 99 eclipse prior to adding the turbo kit. just make sure you pit a filter on the other side of the inner cooler so you dont suck up dust and dirt.
the thing about cooling 75 degree air with 75 degree air is a little wrong. when the car is moving and air is slicing through the fins of the inner cooler, it is actually cooler than 75 degrees so it would cool a little.
as for the gains, you would see a better gain than stock but not as good of a gain with a aem or injen cai.
if you are going turbo and already have the fmic and want to throw it on and use if as a cai, it wont hurt your car unless you drive through a mud puddle or heavy rain because the filter will be a lot lower than a regular cai
some people may pull the rice card and blah blah blah but hey, i am a ricer anyway.
QUOTE (djalkyd @ Apr 30 2005, 08:22 PM)
the thing about cooling 75 degree air with 75 degree air is a little wrong. when the car is moving and air is slicing through the fins of the inner cooler, it is actually cooler than 75 degrees so it would cool a little.
Sorry, but that defies the laws of physics.


