Vortech w/ Single Intercooler
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,107
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
Re: Vortech w/ Single Intercooler (93Polo)
Well, I'm not sure I understand your question? You do realize that the Vortech centrifugal blower doesn't use the air-air intercoolers like the "stock" ATI kit, right?
ATI uses two small air-air intercoolers, mounted to the sides, that Andy replaces with one large central mounted intercooler. The Vortech kit, on the other hand, uses a single air-water intercooler (aftercooler in their parlance).
So I'm not sure what you're referring to unless you just meant replacing the stock vortech air-water unit with a large air-air unit. It could probably be done, but it'd be a plumbing nightmare. Everything would have to be re-engineered from the ground up.
The plumbing from Andy's single ATI kit couldn't be simply retrofitted because the Vortech blower unit is mounted on the opposite side of the engine than the ATI. The Vortech blower is on the driver's side while the ATI is on the passeger's side of the motor.
Hope that helps.
BadAttitude
ATI uses two small air-air intercoolers, mounted to the sides, that Andy replaces with one large central mounted intercooler. The Vortech kit, on the other hand, uses a single air-water intercooler (aftercooler in their parlance).
So I'm not sure what you're referring to unless you just meant replacing the stock vortech air-water unit with a large air-air unit. It could probably be done, but it'd be a plumbing nightmare. Everything would have to be re-engineered from the ground up.
The plumbing from Andy's single ATI kit couldn't be simply retrofitted because the Vortech blower unit is mounted on the opposite side of the engine than the ATI. The Vortech blower is on the driver's side while the ATI is on the passeger's side of the motor.
Hope that helps.
BadAttitude
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
Re: Vortech w/ Single Intercooler (BadAttitude)
Yes I understand the Vortech has an air to water. There has been much debate on the f-body boards about a single front mount air to air being more efficient and less weight.
The LT1 f-bodies have run the air to water for a few years now and some have switched to a front mount.
I just wanted to know if anyone has made the necessary ducting to run a front mount with a vortech. I'm not a big fan of pro chargers and like the mini cog on the Vortech.
Lamar
The LT1 f-bodies have run the air to water for a few years now and some have switched to a front mount.
I just wanted to know if anyone has made the necessary ducting to run a front mount with a vortech. I'm not a big fan of pro chargers and like the mini cog on the Vortech.
Lamar
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Re: Vortech w/ Single Intercooler (93Polo)
There has been much debate on the f-body boards about a single front mount air to air being more efficient and less weight.
The LT1 f-bodies have run the air to water for a few years now and some have switched to a front mount.
The LT1 f-bodies have run the air to water for a few years now and some have switched to a front mount.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,049
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From: kansas city MO
Re: Vortech w/ Single Intercooler (Frisco Kid)
[QUOTE]
Does this mean most agree air to air is more effective than air to water?
You mean air-air is more effective than air-water-air which is the vortech configuration. Water has a heat transfer coefficient of .8x (if I'm not mistaken) which means under ideal condition air-water-air setup is about eightysome % as effective as a direct air-air setup assuming only water is used. If the liquid used is a mixture of water & coolant then the efficacy will decrease further, only that percentage of the mixture which is water will exchange heat well.
Does this mean most agree air to air is more effective than air to water?
You mean air-air is more effective than air-water-air which is the vortech configuration. Water has a heat transfer coefficient of .8x (if I'm not mistaken) which means under ideal condition air-water-air setup is about eightysome % as effective as a direct air-air setup assuming only water is used. If the liquid used is a mixture of water & coolant then the efficacy will decrease further, only that percentage of the mixture which is water will exchange heat well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,248
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Re: Vortech w/ Single Intercooler (boblackhardtop)
I think the Air to Water is around 80% and the Air to Air is around 75%.
Air to Air has more nose clearance/space issues, can be heavier. Too much routed tubing for an air to air setup decreases airflow, increases IAT temps as the blower drives harder to produce the same boost thru more tubing and increases load in the engine.
Air to Water doesn't dissipate heat as well and may not hold up for sustained cooling, ie: road racing. Air to Water works very well for street and has a secondary air to air cooler to cool the water.
Air to Water is more complex to engineer.
I personally prefer air to water for the engine compartment, weight and radiator issues.
I don't plan to road race my supercharger, ie: 60min+ sustained hard laps at constant high rpm's.
Air to Air has more nose clearance/space issues, can be heavier. Too much routed tubing for an air to air setup decreases airflow, increases IAT temps as the blower drives harder to produce the same boost thru more tubing and increases load in the engine.
Air to Water doesn't dissipate heat as well and may not hold up for sustained cooling, ie: road racing. Air to Water works very well for street and has a secondary air to air cooler to cool the water.
Air to Water is more complex to engineer.
I personally prefer air to water for the engine compartment, weight and radiator issues.
I don't plan to road race my supercharger, ie: 60min+ sustained hard laps at constant high rpm's.
