I did some testing tonight comparing the effectiveness of the stock intercooler diverter assembly versus ALTA's Air Diverter product.

I used my Palm with Auterra's OBDII based datalogging, and drove a predetermined course with controlled speed vs. gear vs. throttle angle. While I didn't record any of my datalogging, what I did was use my fabulous photographic memory to determine the delta between ambient and IAT and ECT between the two assemblies. What did I find?

*The peak IAT's were essentially identical. This sounds appropriate because the intercooler is the same, lol.
*A noticable difference was the slope in which the ALTA diverter "recovered" from the WOT heat-soaking was much quicker. The ALTA diverter pulled the IAT back near steady state quicker than the stock setup. The stock setup seemed to have a more linear cooling, whereas the ALTA had a sharper initial drop.
*The lowest ambient to IAT delta was 3F cooler with the ALTA. The stock diverter had a slight advantage even as I tested it later in the night and the ambient was 1F cooler, however that 3F advantage accounts for that.
*Overall weight? I'm not sure. The ALTA is a heavy steel piece, but the stock diverter assembly is a cumbersome two-piece monstrosity that very well might weight about the same.
*Verdict: Would I pay $180 for 3F peak lower IAT? Hmmm, tough call really. I was actually surprized I could see any difference with my datalogger "gauges", so I guess if you're trying to squeeze the last bit of effectiveness out of your stock IC, this is a good buy.

Bottom line? The ALTA diverter is staying on my car until there is a reasonably priced A/A IC out there
Motor-On!
Ryan

 

Ryan: Don't understand what you mean about the "stock diverter assembly is a cumbersome two-piece monstrosity that very well weigh the same."

My diverter is one-piece plastic covering the IC and, is not at all heavy. With the Alta Diverter do you have to remove a portion under the bonnet? I knew you had to do that if your using the Alta IC but, wasn't aware you had to do that if your just using the Alta Air Dirveter.

 

Yes, with the ALTA diverter you also have you remove the big piece under the bonnet, as the diverter "scoop" is way taller than stock.

 

Woohoo! Good data!

I'm fairly surprised that it works as well as it does, since all of the air coming in the hood scoop should end up going through the intercooler with both the stock and alta diverters. Looks like the alta does a better job of distributing it.

 

Forgive the brain fart, but for us non-techies, what is IAT?

*edit - BAH! nevermind, i remembered..... intake air temp....*

 

I thought it was inlet air temp

Ryephile, were you using the sprayer or just testing the diverter? I would be interested in results while using the sprayer as well.

 

whoops... looks like my brain has after-farts!

thanks for the correction!

-ABT-

 

Interesting, I always wondered about this product and it's actual performance effect. It seemed snake-oilish, but add a little data, compared to stock and we know what it does do.

The NUMBERS should be selling performance products, not marketing mumbo-jumbo.

 

Well, the numbers arent sOO impressive but it is a cool little gadget to have under your hood. The sprayer is a nifty little thing and the diverter is also a good piece of eye candy under the hood.

 

ryephile thats my Air Diverter!!!!!

 

brandon what are you doing buying an air diverter instea
d of springs!!!

 

yeah springs first! then a pulley, add in some sway bars action, then you can redirect the air if you need too..

 

c'mon guys, it was a good deal so i took advantage of it... actually, ryan did...

 

NO exuses!!!!!! and where where you tuesday!!

see ya soon

 

Thanks for the numbers Ryan-- appreciate it.