Originally Posted by hatrickstu

Of course, but we aren't talking about some application where this guy is trying to get every last bit out of his setup in terms of efficiency. He has a turbo well below it's full capability and is limiting power intentionally by a significant amount due to the engine being used. We are talking about dropping compressor inlet temps 20-30* (shot in the dark there) to improve his compressor efficiency on a turbo he is hardly leaning on in order to maximize performance... in a car he is purposely limiting performance on. It's essentially a waste of time for this particular situation.

Originally Posted by Pinky

Yup.......but then again I don't know of many that take post compressor air temps and shove it directly into the intake. My plan being a SOS SC. So it's still going to go through the AFTERCOOLER and get temps taken down significantly.

So driving around getting everything(including the SC Coolant) up to a static operating temp and measuring the COLD air intake at the TB vs. the "HOT" air intake at the TB.

That is really the only thing I would be interested in and could care less about compressor efficiency, thermal dynamics, boost pressure(unless this changes with air intake temp) or what the temperature is at the filter..

Originally Posted by 05TurboS2k

Granted colder denser air allows you to not need as big of a compressor but that just means your turbo will spool harder (read faster). In aircraft as we go from 0 to 20k feet, my turbo in my plane gets closer to running out of volume, not pressure. It spools faster yes but the hp is exactly the same at every altitude. There's a little variance in some boosted cars on the dyno due to temp but that's more the case when they have ICs that aren't effective in size or efficiency etc.

The other thing that really matters is PRESSURE or a lack of rather, at the intake. Whatever tiny gains you're hoping to net with colder air are probably easily countered by a more restrictive intake which, means a smaller differential of pressure at the turbo...... exactly the opposite of what you want.

Finally.... that airbox is ugly and takes up vital space. Ditch it.

Originally Posted by spdracerut

Colder compressor intake air temp also improves spool-up and transient response. If you're of the mentality of not trying to improve or maximize every aspect of a build for get the best performance possible, then sure, suck in hotter air. That same person also wouldn't buy ball bearing turbos or bother with exhaust manifold/headers wrap or turbine housing blankets, etc. And there are those who are like that. Then there are others who look to eek out the best performance possible by paying attention to details.

Originally Posted by DavidNJ

I'd recommend thermal coatings on the exhaust manifold, turbine housing, and any down pipes/dump pipes and bag the wrap. I've never seen a wrap that isn't a PITA. Coatings work very well.

At 15psi boost, 30psia, the difference between 130F air and 160F air is about 5% in density.