Intercooler upgrade - MR2 Turbo
Discussion
Hi jap chatters, I'm new to this addictive forum and thought it was about time I joined in. 
I've got an MR2 Turbo Revision 3, which I've had for about 6 months. I've been tweaking it here and there and have decided that I want to replace the stock intercooler with a better aftermarket one.
My question is, with my current mods (3" exhaust, decat downpipe, manual boost controller set at 1 bar amongst other things) will fitting a more effective intercooler significantly reduce turbo lag? It's not that it's bad at the moment but it would be nice if I could shapen up the throttle response a bit more. I want to get as much torque at low revs as possible for everyday driving.
Anyone with an MR2 or similar done this and had good results?
I've got an MR2 Turbo Revision 3, which I've had for about 6 months. I've been tweaking it here and there and have decided that I want to replace the stock intercooler with a better aftermarket one.
My question is, with my current mods (3" exhaust, decat downpipe, manual boost controller set at 1 bar amongst other things) will fitting a more effective intercooler significantly reduce turbo lag? It's not that it's bad at the moment but it would be nice if I could shapen up the throttle response a bit more. I want to get as much torque at low revs as possible for everyday driving.
Anyone with an MR2 or similar done this and had good results?
not 100% sure with the mr2, but fitting a larger core usually increases lag due to the extra volume the air has to fill in the cooler, may not be noticable depdning on the size of it. however a more efficient cooler will increase torque low/mid range esp if the car has been sitting in traffic as the charge will be cooler into the engine than before. once moving though or on cold days theres probably not much difference unless the standard cooler is restrictive in its design.
you can make a big difference by taking off the cooler and washing it out with carb cleaner or petrol to get rid of any oil build up.
its worthwhile mod for modified cars as it give a bigger safety margin before det sets in.
you can make a big difference by taking off the cooler and washing it out with carb cleaner or petrol to get rid of any oil build up.
its worthwhile mod for modified cars as it give a bigger safety margin before det sets in.
Mr E said:
I always wanted the GT4 chargecooler upgrade when I had my tubby, but never got round to it.
Would that be a better option for you perhaps?
Where would you mount the additional rad?
AFAIK the other rad gets mounted at the front - possibly at the expense of the aircon rad, but Im not too sure tbh.
Laterally thinking though, surely if the CC sits on top of the block, surely the rad could be side mounted in the room left front the i/c removal?
I've thought about a GT4 charge cooler but they are tricky to fit and more expensive (I think). As for the rad, it would have to go at the front - I've heard that a Fiat Cinquiento rad is up to the job but is fiddly to fit.
The advantage of fitting an intercooler is that it is side-mounted and fits straight into the standard spot. Less work involved.
My aim is to have as little turbo lag as possible. Although, it has to be said, the MR2 isn't bad in this respect. Full boost comes on at around 3-3,500rpm with peak torque probably around 5,000rpm.
Apart from the obvious benefits of more power (mid-high revs) and more resistance to detonation, I always thought that fitting an intercooler in the same spot (without longer pipes) would mean more torque at low revs - the best of both worlds. As Hookster points out, it may actually increase lag, so I'm not so sure now.
The advantage of fitting an intercooler is that it is side-mounted and fits straight into the standard spot. Less work involved.
My aim is to have as little turbo lag as possible. Although, it has to be said, the MR2 isn't bad in this respect. Full boost comes on at around 3-3,500rpm with peak torque probably around 5,000rpm.
Apart from the obvious benefits of more power (mid-high revs) and more resistance to detonation, I always thought that fitting an intercooler in the same spot (without longer pipes) would mean more torque at low revs - the best of both worlds. As Hookster points out, it may actually increase lag, so I'm not so sure now.
From the owners club: The stock item isn't particularly wonderful, some people claim great things from the GReddy upgrade. Charge coolers are quite a neat solution but tricky to put on.
Andy: As I understand it the front-mounted rad with the charge cooler is for liquid coolant, the air-charge doesn't actually flow through it. From what I've seen the charge cooler would be the lowest lag solution as the air-flow is the most direct and involves the least direction changes.
That said I've never seen a cutaway so I might be totally wrong.
In your shoes I'd start with a GReddy and take Gazs' advice on the EBC.
Andy: As I understand it the front-mounted rad with the charge cooler is for liquid coolant, the air-charge doesn't actually flow through it. From what I've seen the charge cooler would be the lowest lag solution as the air-flow is the most direct and involves the least direction changes.
That said I've never seen a cutaway so I might be totally wrong.
In your shoes I'd start with a GReddy and take Gazs' advice on the EBC.
_Al_ said:
Andy: As I understand it the front-mounted rad with the charge cooler is for liquid coolant, the air-charge doesn't actually flow through it. From what I've seen the charge cooler would be the lowest lag solution as the air-flow is the most direct and involves the least direction changes.
My mistake. I thought he was on about an FMIC. Never connected it with any sort of charge cooler.
Has anyone thought about Water injection as a simple solution? Allows a nice tweak in boost too!
Andy Mac said:
Has anyone thought about Water injection as a simple solution? Allows a nice tweak in boost too!
Good thinking, it's really fairly easy(famous last words),light & cheap to setup too(kits start from sub £150 ,Aquamist are a top brand though more £££
.Not many componants to fit, & bar the pump & nozzles most parts used can be plastics,so fabbing & fitting presents less probs. Hey! & once you've got H2O Inj you're only a step away from running some form of methanol inj, Alky is good
Homemade H2O inj
I know of a Greddy spec Intercooler that can be had for around £400, which is cheaper than the Greddy. It's supplied by a guy called Chris, who's an MR2 owner club affiliate ( the trades under the name GTSChris). It's called the 'Berk' intercooler and is, according to tests, actually better than the Greddy. It comes with fan, shroud, all hard pipes and looks to be top quality, so I'm tempted.
On reflection, I think my original question about turbo lag wasn't quite accurate. I think the intercooler will not reduce lag as such, but rather have the 'effect' of reducing it, as torque is increased with the onset of colder denser air flowing into the engine. I'm hoping that with a side-mounted intercooler in the original spot, throttle response will be better (feel more 'on it'), more like a NA engine. Also, with the 3" decat downpipe and exhaust in place it should make for a more responsive car.
This is my first turbo car. I've had beemers in the past, so I'm still learning the ways of forced induction. I love it by the way, and tweaking the car to suit the way you want it to drive is half the fun.
Thanks for your replies.
On reflection, I think my original question about turbo lag wasn't quite accurate. I think the intercooler will not reduce lag as such, but rather have the 'effect' of reducing it, as torque is increased with the onset of colder denser air flowing into the engine. I'm hoping that with a side-mounted intercooler in the original spot, throttle response will be better (feel more 'on it'), more like a NA engine. Also, with the 3" decat downpipe and exhaust in place it should make for a more responsive car.
This is my first turbo car. I've had beemers in the past, so I'm still learning the ways of forced induction. I love it by the way, and tweaking the car to suit the way you want it to drive is half the fun.
Thanks for your replies.
I remember him from my MR2 days over on t'other forums! Website here for anyone lurking...
www.gtschris.com/store/comersus_index.asp
www.gtschris.com/store/comersus_index.asp
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff