Intercooler air flow question

[obx tsi]

I am possibly going to redo my intercooler pipes and have been wondering if the air should flow up from the bottom or should it flow from the top to the bottom? I have the intercooler with the end tanks on top and bottom with the inlet and outlet on the passenger side.

 

[CanadianTSi]

Which ever way makes the the shortest/easiest piping will be best

 

[neoviper]

Which ever way makes the the shortest/easiest piping will be best

Agreed. less piping= less lag=distant objects in the rear-view mirror

 

[obx tsi]

Thanks for the response. Just did not know if it would flow easier one way or the other thus making one way better than the other.

 

[DSMunknown]

I wouldn't completely disagree with Tyler's statement, but I do hold some reservation. Even though we're talking about pressurized air moving at an accelerated rate, I remember the kinetic molecular theory, certain gas laws and convection. Even if it's fairly insignificant, I believe (specifically in regards to a top-to-bottom flowing FMIC) that the pressurized air should be entering from the top and exiting at the bottom. This puts more "work" on the heated air, forcing it down through the intercooler and cooling on its way down, instead of rising up through the intercooler. Just something to think about.

I highly doubt anyone would see a noticeable performance increase, though.

 

[neoviper]

I never thought of it that way. Definately something deep to think about. cool piece of info unknown.

 

[obx tsi]

Does anyone know someone with this style and know how they have it routed? Thanks for the replies.

 

[kenamond]

I wouldn't completely disagree with Tyler's statement, but I do hold some reservation. Even though we're talking about pressurized air moving at an excelerated rate, I remember the kinetic molecular theory, certain gas laws and convection. Even if it's fairly insignificant, I believe (specifically in regards to a top-to-bottom flowing FMIC) that the pressurized air should be entering from the top and exiting at the bottom. This puts more "work" on the heated air, forcing it down through the intercooler and cooling on its way down, instead of rising up through the intercooler. Just something to think about.

I highly doubt anyone would see a noticeable performance increase, though.

I think that it would be such a miniscule effect that it would be far outweighed by pipe length and straightness (fewer bends and less angle in the bends).

"Exceleration" is defined (by me) as the conversion of tabular data into a Microsoft™ Excel spreadsheet.

"Acceleration" on the other hand is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time.