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I take it you are talking about a "front mount intercooler". Most supercharged cars are running an "aftercooler" that is an air/water affair with a small radiator for heat exchange. Some guys will get a larger radiator that simulates a front mount intercooler for bling. It's still just a radiator.
If you're talking about a real FMI, this would eliminate the radiator and the air/water aftercooler. In this case, no, there is no benefit except for looks. In fact, the added volume inside the plumbing of such a device will actually reduce the boost pressure of the system. You'd have to increase boost at the blower just to get the same boost back to the intake.
Here's a pic of the "fake" one:
Yes, but don't let the size of it fool you. It actually holds less coolant than the stock Vortech or Comptech rad.
really? i have the tech2 one. I compared the comptech and tech2 side by side, and i'd say the tech 2 will hold atleast 30% more liquid than the stock comptech unit (oounting % in terms of volume in the heat exchanger only, not piping, condenser, tubings).
really? i have the tech2 one. I compared the comptech and tech2 side by side, and i'd say the tech 2 will hold atleast 30% more liquid than the stock comptech unit (oounting % in terms of volume in the heat exchanger only, not piping, condenser, tubings).
Putting the two side by side isn't a good way to determine the coolant volume inside. I drained and collected the coolant when I pulled the hoses off the old stock rad. When I got the Tech 2 rad installed, I could not get all the coolant that I drained back in. The Tech 2 may have a bigger exterior dimension, but the coolant tubes through the fins and the spaces on the ends do not have nearly the volume of the little stock rad. I had about 1/2 to 3/4 of a pint left over.
I noted the intake air temp using my ECU display last summer with the stock rad. Next summer, I can compare those readings with the Tech 2 rad in place.