Air-Air vs Air-Water Intercooler

SleeperGT · 03-04-2004, 11:31 AM

Looking for a little guidance on my next upgrade. I currently have a Vortech SQ-Trim, non-intercoolerdrunning 12 pounds of boost (I know too much without an intercooler), which is why I'm looking to intercool it. Since this is my daily driver and I need the trunk space I don't want to go with the Vortech aftercooler kit as it required a battery re-lo to the the trunk. My speed shop is suggesting I go with a custom fabricated air-air intercooler. Idea sounds great to me, anybody have any experience with an air-air intercooler, pro's and cons of going with each setup. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Ackbar00 · 03-04-2004, 11:42 AM

Given a Vortech setup, a custom Air to Air sounds like it will cost more that the water to air. And I think the water to air is $1600. Something to keep in mind.

StangFlyer · 03-04-2004, 01:49 PM

For drag strip duty a water-to-air system is the better way to go, which you can pack full of ice too. However, for street duty an air-to-air system gives you the best cooling solution still in the long run in my opinion.

04S/CStallion · 03-07-2004, 02:47 AM

Air to Air is the only way to go in my opinion. ATI makes a 3 core for mustangs that run about $1100. There intercoolers are pretty consistant on keeping the intake air at about 20 degrees above ambient, on a hot summer humid day. Especially runnin 12 lbs i would definately recommend 3 core air-air, its the best for all around conditions, daily drivin or friday night racing.

jonnyk · 03-10-2004, 12:44 PM

Air-air's are nice for street use, but really require speed to be effective. Below 60 mph they really aren't good for anything.

Air-water has a higher efficiency and can't be beat...but as mentioned above are very costly.

If I was gonna bother, I would be doing an air-water myself.

PWR_RYD93 · 03-10-2004, 05:46 PM

Another viable option would be a nice water/alcohol injection kit. SMC makes a great kit.

BTW - 12 psi isn't that much

04S/CStallion · 03-11-2004, 10:05 PM

If you was to go with an air to air, and still wanna get good use out of the intercooler at lower speeds for times like strip use, a street race, or dyno tuning, you can put some nitrous jet behind the intercooler and shoot it when needed, or you can rig up a water mist system for it. But with the other guys yeah water to air is better for draggin it or dyno, but for everyday use I like the air to air cuz then the water cant get to 150 + degrees.

SleeperGT · 03-11-2004, 11:44 PM

After reading everyone's input, I think I still want to go with the air to air. My intake temperature at my last tune was over 200 degree's and it was a relatively cool day (70's). So if the air to air would keep me well below that, even spiking at 120 to 150 degrees that wouldn't be bad compared to what I'm at now. I found a kit from Paxton ($1350 delivered, couldn't find the ATI kit) which looks like a pretty easy bolt on and when I spoke to the folks at musclemotors.com they say they've had a number of these kits sold to Vortech owners. From a cost stand point that is quite a bit less than the air-water kit from Vortech (over $2000 delivered with battery relo kit), plus no install cost, as I'll do it, air to water is a bit much for me to install.

Keep the input coming. Thanks!

PWR_RYD93 · 03-12-2004, 09:14 AM

http://www.smcenterprises.com/

aortiz10 · 08-19-2008, 09:10 AM

the paxton air to air seems to lose alot more psi then expected 4psi lost vs .5 to 1 on the water to air.

03-04-2004, 11:31 AM	#1
SleeperGT Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Posts: 122	Air-Air vs Air-Water Intercooler Looking for a little guidance on my next upgrade. I currently have a Vortech SQ-Trim, non-intercoolerdrunning 12 pounds of boost (I know too much without an intercooler), which is why I'm looking to intercool it. Since this is my daily driver and I need the trunk space I don't want to go with the Vortech aftercooler kit as it required a battery re-lo to the the trunk. My speed shop is suggesting I go with a custom fabricated air-air intercooler. Idea sounds great to me, anybody have any experience with an air-air intercooler, pro's and cons of going with each setup. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks! __________________ '00 GT 5-spd Vortech S-Trim 3.1" Pulley Paxton Air-to-Air Aftercooler 90 mm MAS 42 lb injectors Cobra Fuel Pump 70 mm AccuFab Throttlebody C & L Intake Plenum 2 1/2" X-pipes Anderson PowerPipe MagnaFlow Mufflers Diablo Custom Chip 3.73's Steeda Lower Control Arms 358 rwhp (Mustang Dyno) New Track Times Coming Soon

03-04-2004, 11:42 AM	#2
Ackbar00 Rebel Fleet Commander Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Huber Heights, OH Posts: 1,003	Given a Vortech setup, a custom Air to Air sounds like it will cost more that the water to air. And I think the water to air is $1600. Something to keep in mind. __________________ 1993 Mustang GT, PTK w/ T-64 - My Cardomain Webpage 11.25@123.5 on only 8 psi. 10.84@121 on only 1 headgasket "The Truth is, Your the Weak, and I am the Tyranny of Evil Men!"

03-04-2004, 01:49 PM	#3
StangFlyer Founder Join Date: Jun 1995 Location: Michigan Posts: 19,326	For drag strip duty a water-to-air system is the better way to go, which you can pack full of ice too. However, for street duty an air-to-air system gives you the best cooling solution still in the long run in my opinion. __________________ StangFlyer 1991 Mustang GT - Supercharged 377 Stroker 2000 Ford Lightning - Project Lightning Hauler Media Center Gallery - View my member photos

03-10-2004, 12:44 PM	#5
jonnyk Being stroked is great Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 772	Air-air's are nice for street use, but really require speed to be effective. Below 60 mph they really aren't good for anything. Air-water has a higher efficiency and can't be beat...but as mentioned above are very costly. If I was gonna bother, I would be doing an air-water myself. __________________ Novi 2000 now spinning off the snout of the 331... Mods Pics

03-10-2004, 05:46 PM	#6
PWR_RYD93 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: IL Posts: 1,155	Another viable option would be a nice water/alcohol injection kit. SMC makes a great kit. BTW - 12 psi isn't that much __________________ Craig Supercharged 93 GT "I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol!" Then I went to the doctor.... whoa 312! Hello Lipitor

03-07-2004, 02:47 AM	#4
04S/CStallion Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Loveland,Colorado Posts: 44	Air to Air is the only way to go in my opinion. ATI makes a 3 core for mustangs that run about $1100. There intercoolers are pretty consistant on keeping the intake air at about 20 degrees above ambient, on a hot summer humid day. Especially runnin 12 lbs i would definately recommend 3 core air-air, its the best for all around conditions, daily drivin or friday night racing.

03-11-2004, 10:05 PM	#7
04S/CStallion Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Loveland,Colorado Posts: 44	If you was to go with an air to air, and still wanna get good use out of the intercooler at lower speeds for times like strip use, a street race, or dyno tuning, you can put some nitrous jet behind the intercooler and shoot it when needed, or you can rig up a water mist system for it. But with the other guys yeah water to air is better for draggin it or dyno, but for everyday use I like the air to air cuz then the water cant get to 150 + degrees.

03-11-2004, 11:44 PM	#8
SleeperGT Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Posts: 122	After reading everyone's input, I think I still want to go with the air to air. My intake temperature at my last tune was over 200 degree's and it was a relatively cool day (70's). So if the air to air would keep me well below that, even spiking at 120 to 150 degrees that wouldn't be bad compared to what I'm at now. I found a kit from Paxton ($1350 delivered, couldn't find the ATI kit) which looks like a pretty easy bolt on and when I spoke to the folks at musclemotors.com they say they've had a number of these kits sold to Vortech owners. From a cost stand point that is quite a bit less than the air-water kit from Vortech (over $2000 delivered with battery relo kit), plus no install cost, as I'll do it, air to water is a bit much for me to install. Keep the input coming. Thanks! __________________ '00 GT 5-spd Vortech S-Trim 3.1" Pulley Paxton Air-to-Air Aftercooler 90 mm MAS 42 lb injectors Cobra Fuel Pump 70 mm AccuFab Throttlebody C & L Intake Plenum 2 1/2" X-pipes Anderson PowerPipe MagnaFlow Mufflers Diablo Custom Chip 3.73's Steeda Lower Control Arms 358 rwhp (Mustang Dyno) New Track Times Coming Soon

03-12-2004, 09:14 AM	#9
PWR_RYD93 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: IL Posts: 1,155	http://www.smcenterprises.com/ __________________ Craig Supercharged 93 GT "I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol!" Then I went to the doctor.... whoa 312! Hello Lipitor

08-19-2008, 09:10 AM	#10
aortiz10 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1	Re: Air-Air vs Air-Water Intercooler the paxton air to air seems to lose alot more psi then expected 4psi lost vs .5 to 1 on the water to air.

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