Is an intercooler worth the effort?

[Frenchy]

As others have mentioned, the advantage of an Intercooler on a Turbocharged Engine is the fact you can maintain max power for longer periods of time when needed. Is it worth it? Depends on the overall goals. If I still had my Ranger I would do it. My current vehicle is NA so no need to even look at it.

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[RangerPNW]

That looks really nice. I watched a video that showed you have to cut a lot of plastic out of the way on the truck to fit the larger intercooler. Did you have to do that? I haven't found a good video that shows a step by step to get this done. Probably because its such a pain. I'm surprised that Stage 3 hasn't made one.
I've already installed a new grille, so hopefully I want ruin it when I do this.

No cutting required

 

[Cowboyflyer]

It was worth it for me. My end goal is to do a tune, and I know that to get the most out of the tune I would need a few bolt on items. so, I started with the MBRB dual exhaust and then to the CVF down pipe.
From there I saved up and did the Mitsi airbox, pipes, intercooler and blow off valve all at once.
Last is the tune which came together great with all the accessories! So far, no regrets.
Want to start decorating next! (outside accessories!) Boss says no more for now!
I told her it was not my fault! It's the Ranger Forum!
Didn't help me any...

 

[IdahoRanger]

It was worth it for me. My end goal is to do a tune, and I know that to get the most out of the tune I would need a few bolt on items. so, I started with the MBRB dual exhaust and then to the CVF down pipe.
From there I saved up and did the Mitsi airbox, pipes, intercooler and blow off valve all at once.
Last is the tune which came together great with all the accessories! So far, no regrets.
Want to start decorating next! (outside accessories!) Boss says no more for now!
I told her it was not my fault! It's the Ranger Forum!
Didn't help me any...

LOL, blame it on the forum then ask for forgiveness later.

 

[Vr22s]

Funny thing with this thread, I just ordered a CVF and was looking...(and I said I was going to be nice to my wallet after my ARB bumper install)

I usually running in hot(90º+) high load environments. This last summer I was in Moab climbing up and down various rocky canyons it made me wonder if a intercooler would help with some of the complaining the truck seems to do when it is hot.
Guess we will find out.

 

[Frenchy]

Funny thing with this thread, I just ordered a CVF and was looking...(and I said I was going to be nice to my wallet after my ARB bumper install)

I usually running in hot(90º+) high load environments. This last summer I was in Moab climbing up and down various rocky canyons it made me wonder if a intercooler would help with some of the complaining the truck seems to do when it is hot.
Guess we will find out.

I'm sure it will be a bit happier with the improved Intercooler

 

[Cowboyflyer]

LOL, blame it on the forum then ask for forgiveness later.

Well I had to tell her something!
I think i needed a intercooler for her!
She was getting a little hot at me for butchering up a new truck! Lol

 

[JasonTremor]

Whipple had a nice one and last I checked they had them on clearance sale along with their Whipple tuner.

Not certain they are a forum sponsor, so I won't post the link. They have their charge cooler and tune for about half price currently while supplies last. Whipple is a Ford partner on the new supercharger kits for the 5.0 mustang and f150 platforms.

 

[yamahaSHO]

I did a Mountune intercooler about 2 years ago as I knew I would be towing in hot weather, since that's when racing season is. It helps in that the temps don't reach as high, however, the stock intercooler is pretty good. It's large and because it isn't an additional 20 lbs of metal, it will recover faster. One other benefit is that it came with pipes to replace the small diameter charge pipe coming off the turbo.

After installing, I updated the map for the additional intercooler volume and adjusted the fan to turn on earlier.

 

[jflogerzi]

honestly a waste of money. this is not a performance car, it's a freaking truck... the cooling on our trucks is already really efficient

 

[Frenchy]

honestly a waste of money. this is not a performance car, it's a freaking truck... the cooling on our trucks is already really efficient

You are not wrong about it being a truck and not a race vehicle. That said it doesn't mean it won't benefit from an upgraded Intercooler especially if putting the truck under heavy load constantly.

 

[Cowboyflyer]

I usually running in hot(90º+) high load environments. This last summer I was in Moab climbing up and down various rocky canyons it made me wonder if a intercooler would help with some of the complaining the truck seems to do when it is hot.
Guess we will find out.
[/QUOTE]

It for sure helped mine, we get into the upper 90's and 100's.
Also, real humid. Between the two, it's horsepower thief's.

 

[Cmar]

To answer your question directly. We are discussing replacing the Rangers Intercooler, or CAC, with one that is more efficient, larger capacity. In the automotive industry intercoolers are pretty much exclusively air to air. Kind of hard to carry a supply of chilled liquid with you.

One of the Chinese utes sold in Australia uses an air to liquid intercooler, with it's own separate electric water pump, and radiator, its a pretty highly strung 2.0 litre 4 cyl Bi Turbo diesel turning out 160 Kw ~215Hp so I guess they thought the extra intake cooling was necessary. You would have maybe seen one the company has a technical tie in with GM and the model I believe has also been sold in Mexico as a Chevvy truck.

 

[Dereku]

honestly a waste of money. this is not a performance car, it's a freaking truck... the cooling on our trucks is already really efficient

Yup because trucks never need upgrades to perform better. Came from the 1000ft lb or torque diesel world back when they came with 525 stock. Intercooler makes a ton a difference even stock. Depends on what you want honestly. If stock makes you happy stick with it. Personally I am addicted to efficiency, its a good addiction honestly. This creates more power without adding stress to the engine. It allows cooler denser air to make the power more efficient.

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