Here are some pics of the Alta oversized intercooler installed. Seems to run alot colder than the factory intercooler. Still have to do some testing to see the gains.
Please do me a favor, if you dont like intercooler keep comments to yourself. I had enough of the people on the last thread i started.

 

Any idea about how much cooler?.How much$ What do you think of the difference.

 

i bought it used for $ 650.00. i spoke to alta and they didnt have any #s yet

 

1st, very nice. I saw one of these when I was over at Randy's and the pictures don't do it justice. It's a thing of beauty.

2nd, I'll keep an eye on this thread for you.

Dave :smile:

 

Where is the Tv Screen? :smile:

Looks great and I should have gotten off the couch to go see it tonight at Bald Hill.

 

i saw this on the alta website last week and was intrigued. i'll be getting a MCS later in oct and i'm thinking about things i may be interested in getting. i've also seen randybmc came out with, what looks like, a more elaborate intercooler system. can somebody explain the differences to me? besides price. also, i assume the main advantage of a better intercooler would be more power for a more extended period of time, like say in auto-x. how about for plain old daily driving?

 

That is the dogs bollocks. Holy cow does that thing rule!!!!!! I want one.

 

SWEEETT just a couple of questions

1:How was the install?
2:How much of the surface area actually comes in contact with the air entering through the scoop?

 

Ah, that is the question (#2)... Why be bigger than it needs to be. I would think though that if the air is diverted properly, it will be helpful. But the bottom line must be bang for the buck...

 

Look really nice and looks very big...takes up most of engine bay...must work well!...may be just what I need to beat the Texas heat!

 

>>Where is the Tv Screen? :smile:
>>
>>Looks great and I should have gotten off the couch to go see it tonight at Bald Hill.
>>
>>


ROFL....now that was ...funny :smile:

Great stuff Suprchrdgmini....looks sweet!!!!!!
good luck

Peace,
D

 

Good golly, that's holy!

Beauty, SUPRCHRGDMINI! Beauty...

Interested to know more too when you get the chance.

-s.b.

 

It's a bit tough to tell from the pics but in the front drivers-side corner there looks to be an air gap--where the air diverter flares out. Is that right (asked with a non-critical, simply curious tone)?

e

 

Well, it looks nice, but you'll be losing pressure due to it's large size. Sure, the air charge may be cooler, but you'll be losing boost. Don't believe me? Then call up PWR and ask them, they made it.

The stock intercooler is really quite good and efficient actually. Moving to a larger size creates boost loss, that's why the water-to-air is looking like the best option for consistant intercooler temps.

Oh, and be careful of the cross "brace" as I've seen it break from very, very minor pressure on it (ala leaning on it).

R

 

the rubber seal going around the intercooler seals to the top of the hood, so all the air coming in the bonnet scoop goes thru the intercooler. none of the intercooler is wasted with this design.

vdub

there is a screen coming, i am installing a microscopic camera in the block so people can watch the pistons go up and down.

i am also hiring a nanny for my daughter so she doesnt have to watch tvon her own in the back seat as doug has asked me to do.

itsthedirtybird,
the install was kind of a pita, the rubber boots dont have much room to fit in since the intercooler is wider. but i managed to doit, took about 1 hour.

 

When are you going back to E-town?

 

from Davbret: "Well, it looks nice, but you'll be losing pressure due to it's large size."

not necessarily true. A larger cross section would give less pressure drop, all other things being equal. A longer flow path, however, would drop pressure, all other things equal.

the Alta looks to be larger cross section and about the same path length

 

So does it give big gains even though the cold air source (hood scoop) is the same size? Couldnt you now see even larger gains by somehow going with a larger scoop (this might not be worth the trouble, not sure).

Also, although some would protest its looks (I would not, I would say, holy *** that thing must be fast), wouldnt it be better to spend the upgrade money on a front mounted IC, or do you feel this will give similar hp/$ gain ratio?

Sorry if my questions are annoying, btw, I think the new IC looks great....

 

The biggest cause of pressure drop isnt as much from the size of the intercooler as it is because the bigger IC drops incoming air temps more. Cooler air is denser air. Denser air takes up less volume. Less volume with the same input means less pressure, meaning less PSI.

You wont see a power drop though because the amount of oxygen goin in the cylinders is the same.

Bigger intercoolers do benifit from higher boost levels though. You can cram more air in and not generate as much heat, protecting from detonation.

 

the little mcs for a little beating today to see how it feels. seems to be very nice, the boost guage shows just under 15lbs which it used to when it was this hot.so i guess i didnt loose any boost if so maybe a 1/4 lb or so. the temp of the intercooler is far lower than the stock one. after a 30 minute ride and the car still running you can put your hand onthe cooler and leave it there no problem.

emobob,
from what ive been told that is if you go with the front mountyou lose to much boost with the piping unless you go with something like nuzzo did but i dont want that.

andy i am not sure yet, i want to go soon. maybe i will see if jeff wants to go wednesday night.

 

SUPRCHRGDMINI - I like the addition about keeping bad comments to yourself...LOL

It looks like a fairly good install. I think it looks slighty out of place though. Do you have a picture from far away? Does everything fit ok?

Looks good!

 

i will have pics later on today. everything fits fine under there with it installed. I figured i would just let them know i dont want bad comments.

 

Then call up PWR and ask them, they made it.

I could be way off base here but it doesnt look like the PWR pictures that I've seen. also I think I remember Randy saying that the Alta intercooler and the PWR were two completely different animals.

Super,
It would really be great to see some numbers on this thing but thus far it looks like you got a great deal at 650. kudos!

Chuck

 

yes, i dont think i would have paid over $1000.0 for it. But it seems to feel bette on the hot days we have had. but time will tell when i go to th track again. maybe wednesday night./