Elevation considerations for intercoolers. Cooling capacity vs volume

srey · 01-10-2019, 02:27 PM

I've been thinking about this a bit, and was wondering what y'all think. I spend most of my time driving at around 5000' above sea level, and am looking to go FBO this winter while the car is just sitting in the garage waiting for Spring. Here are some random thoughts, followed by some questions. Feel free to correct anything I have wrong and then put in your $.02.

At higher elevations turbos have to work harder to meet boost targets due to lower AD
Harder working turbos generate more heat
Lower AD decreases the cooling system's efficiency
This means higher IAT, high WGDC, and the potential to not meet boost target
The more volume a turbo has to fill with boost the more lag it will have
The bigger the intercooler the better the cooling capacity (in general)

Is there a give/take in selected an intercooler in higher elevations? With stock turbos might it be prudent to go with a 5" stepped core versus a 7" core intercooler if you are driving exclusively at higher elevation?

My goal is to reduce IAT and spool time, which I hope to do with an intercooler, catless dp's, and possibly inlets if it will make a difference with stockers at a stage 2 tune Many people say inlets don't help stock turbos with OTS tunes. Mostly I just want to reduce the load placed on the turbos, so I don't see how it would hurt, unless the low AD makes the turbos work even harder with the larger diameter inlets (think drinking through a straw vs. drinking through a toilet paper tube).

I don't intend to run meth. I have access to both ethanol-free 91 oct and e85. I assume I already have DCI and a CP running stock diverter valves. I know the DCI introduces more heat pre-turbo, but also increases airflow over the stock air box. What I want from the car is a reliable DD that makes max power from FBO at 5000' reliably. Everything is updated and running perfectly ATM, including the fueling system, cooling system, and turbos.

This is where you correct me, point your finger and laugh, and generally hurl insults my way. Let 'er rip.

01-10-2019, 02:27 PM	#1
srey Lieutenant 224 Rep 418 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i 6mt Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Idaho iTrader: (0)	Elevation considerations for intercoolers. Cooling capacity vs volume I've been thinking about this a bit, and was wondering what y'all think. I spend most of my time driving at around 5000' above sea level, and am looking to go FBO this winter while the car is just sitting in the garage waiting for Spring. Here are some random thoughts, followed by some questions. Feel free to correct anything I have wrong and then put in your $.02. At higher elevations turbos have to work harder to meet boost targets due to lower AD Harder working turbos generate more heat Lower AD decreases the cooling system's efficiency This means higher IAT, high WGDC, and the potential to not meet boost target The more volume a turbo has to fill with boost the more lag it will have The bigger the intercooler the better the cooling capacity (in general) Is there a give/take in selected an intercooler in higher elevations? With stock turbos might it be prudent to go with a 5" stepped core versus a 7" core intercooler if you are driving exclusively at higher elevation? My goal is to reduce IAT and spool time, which I hope to do with an intercooler, catless dp's, and possibly inlets if it will make a difference with stockers at a stage 2 tune Many people say inlets don't help stock turbos with OTS tunes. Mostly I just want to reduce the load placed on the turbos, so I don't see how it would hurt, unless the low AD makes the turbos work even harder with the larger diameter inlets (think drinking through a straw vs. drinking through a toilet paper tube). I don't intend to run meth. I have access to both ethanol-free 91 oct and e85. I assume I already have DCI and a CP running stock diverter valves. I know the DCI introduces more heat pre-turbo, but also increases airflow over the stock air box. What I want from the car is a reliable DD that makes max power from FBO at 5000' reliably. Everything is updated and running perfectly ATM, including the fueling system, cooling system, and turbos. This is where you correct me, point your finger and laugh, and generally hurl insults my way. Let 'er rip.
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