bent intercooler fins

[MilwaukeeGSX]

Well I have an intercooler and some of the fins are pretty smashed. So my question is just how many/how bent do they have to be to feel a performence loss? What performence loss do i even expect to see? Would I even have a performance loss?

 

[reeper]

if it is a small section i highly doubt you would see much loss if any.

if you ever get a chance to look at your radiator you will see the fins on it are bent some.

you will be fine

 

[GSntncT]

It shouldn't be that bad if the fins are bent. Barely noticable I'd say....the most important of course, is that there are no cracks in the I/C.

If the fins bother you that bad, try this:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137641

It may be a bit tedious, but drive it as soon as you are done. See if you feel anything different. Hope this helps.

 

[Seano04]

GSntncT- Thanks for that link, I'll be doing it in a few weeks...

 

[MilwaukeeGSX]

now when i run a boost leak test, will any holes in my IC be heard with a simple boost leak test? or do i have to take the IC off and pressure test it?

 

[ALLBoostAWD]

now when i run a boost leak test, will any holes in my IC be heard with a simple boost leak test? or do i have to take the IC off and pressure test it?

Take it off.
Maybe
You will be able to pin point the leak at the intercooler easier if you remove it. Bring it to a radiator shop and have it pressure tested and watch them do it. They will connect an air source on one side and insert a plug on the other. Then as they pressurize the intercooler they submerge it in a vat of water to check for leaks. If there are leaks bubbles will come from the leak, or leaks. This will also help you determine if the intercooler is reapirable or not by the severity of the leak. And if you dont see bubles and pressure is maintained in the intercooler for at least 5 min then start checking your rubber connectors for small gashes. Good luck, hope the IC is fine

 

[exiletalon]

you would be so suprised by what is wrong with SMIC, do what AllBoostAWD says, thats very good, Did this my self, in my bath tub, and SMIC was shot, put on a new one, and found so many other leaks it was crazy, I can almost garauntee you that if you couplers are over a year old, there all least be 1 leak, but if you SMIC is leaking, then you wont be able to tell. when your done, your boost will rise on its own, it will be more stable, your gas mileage will improve and your overall car will preform better, unless your leaks are very minor...

 

[kenamond]

Don't forget to clean your intercooler out while it's off.

 

[MrBoxx]

This is called a radiator comb. It may have other names. My uncle first told me of the existance of these when we were installing my 14b. We had the intercooler out anyway, and I was straightening the few bent fins with a very small probe. He mentioned a "radiator comb" that comes in different widths for different fin/radiator dimensions. If you have alot of bent fins, or want to go around fixing all your friends' bent intercooler fins, you may want to try to find one of these.

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I just remembered this esoteric bit of information just for the sake of this thread. Now that it's written down and other people have read it, I can feel comfortable forgetting it so I can use the space for other random bits of wisdom.

Off-topic edit: MilwuakeeGSX, I'll be moving to Milwaukee in May and am planning a little barbecue/get-together sometime this summer to get to know some local DSM'ers. Hope to see you sometime.