StepOnIt

What's the purpose of a intercooler? Well I know that the name contains "cooler" so it tells me that it most probably cools parts of the engine. My questions:
- how does it work?
- purpose
- what's the benefit of an aftermarket one?
- general installation info (replace with radiator or put it in front of it?)
- i know GReedy makes intercooler systems for preludes and WRX, any company make custom ones with special fit in 'tegs?

Thanks

zAd -

it cools the compressed air that comes out of the turbo then it goes in the engine. basically u gotta have turbo to have an intercooler. it looks cool and it goes infront of the radiator.

StepOnIt

is the air to the radiator reduced by having the intercooler in front? I immagine that the intercooler will pose a resistence to the radiator air flow! Does it harm the car in any way?

qtiger

Works almost exactly like your radiator, but cools down air coming out of a turbocharger. Yes it increases the heat of the air reaching the radiator, which does adversely affect cooling. Usually not too much.

90'RS

My question is this....The intercooler is going to cool the air only as much as the air outside right? Well then what is the difference from a intercooler and a cold air intake?
Can anyone help with this

b18cya

the laws of thermodynamics say that when air is compressed, it will heat up. so the compressed air heats up, & the intercooler cools the air down

yianni64

Cold air intake and intercooler and different things. CAI is for any car, N/A or FI, while intercooler is for turbo/supercharged cars.

CAI cost about $150
Intercooler cost about $1000