Apikol intercooler install question

[kevin]

A few of you have installed these on your car. I'm in the process but was wondering how many of you installed the duct work BEHIND the intercooler? I did a search and found nothing pertaining to this issue. I'm sure it can be done but it looks like some trimming of the plastic will be in order.

Thanks!

[toddc]

I couldn't determine a good way to retain it and have a solid mounting, so I left them out...plus I removed the auxiliary radiators at the same time.

-Todd

[kday]

What is different about the Apikols? Are they thicker?

FWIW I removed the aux rads but retained the ducts.

Here is a pic of the stock IC w/ shroud if it's useful (I patched up the holes from the hoses):

http://blog.ultrameta.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/DSCF0020-1024x679.jpg

[toddc]

Yeah, the Apikols are the same thickness as the stock end tanks, which they reuse. So, about an inch thicker than the stock core, IIRC.

-Todd

[kevin]

Decided to retire the post intercooler plastic!

[4everRS]

Decided to retire the post intercooler plastic!

What is it intended for? Protecting what?

[kevin]

looks like it was intended to direct the air passing through the ic's to dump into the front wheelhouse.

[hahnmgh63]

Yea, front ducting has a decent function, actually pretty important. Rear ducting not so, especially if you've removed the Aux radiators which are the bigger heat source.

[kday]

I think it's hard to say for sure without actually measuring the relative air pressures in the intercooler path while under way. My assumption (and the reason I patched up the holes in the ducts when I removed the aux rads) is that the ambient pressure in the engine bay is higher than in the wheel well and especially under the belly pan. If that's true, then removing the ducts will reduce the amount of air moving through the ICs, which is determined by the pressure differential across them. The lower the pressure on the exit side the better.

[Brav]

I will say, that in general, the air flow behind the source is fairly important. Just like a diffuser is to a car. If airflow is not smooth coming out, it can create a higher pressure zone and reduce flow through the ICs. In racing, air extraction is equally if not more important than air inlet, for all types of cooling. Thats why they put the gurney-flap (just like sportec mod for Radiator) just behind the ICs. you will achieve a sucking/extraction from behind the IC as well as forced air from the front. Who knows how much of a high pressure zone there really is behind the IC.

I would say in general its better to try to keep them.. how significant? who knows, maybe not much. If I get annoyed with trimming and fitting, personally, I will just leave them out. Of course I am leaving the AUX radiators out as well..

[kevin]

I did manage to get the driver's side post IC shrouding in after work today. Actually turned out pretty good. One down, one to go! Later this week...

[kday]

I think that was a good call... somebody designed those ducts for a reason. (Hopefully it wasn't the same guy who designed the N80 valve.)

Interesting observation about the "Gurney flap", Brav. I noticed those but didn't twig to their purpose.

Someone with enough curiosity and time on their hands could answer all sorts of questions on this subject with a differential manometer and some tubing.

[Kgnast]

Anyone know the part number(s) of these ducts for passenger and driver side?

[na1mt]

If you have to buy new ones I would just leave them out. The front air ducts were around $250 each.

[Kgnast]

If you have to buy new ones I would just leave them out. The front air ducts were around $250 each.

It's not for me, Im trying to help out a fellow member. If they're $250 dealer list, I can prob get em around $180-$200 a piece.