Intercooler Water Sprays

[God666]

Hi xrdreaming, just a question on the Hobbs switch. Does the switch have presets for 5, 6, 7 psi etc? or do you have to adjust a screw using trial and error until you think you have it set at about 5 psi?

Thanks.

[Lumpen]

Hi xrdreaming, just a question on the Hobbs switch.  Does the switch have presets for 5, 6, 7 psi etc?  or do you have to adjust a screw using trial and error until you think you have it set at about 5 psi?

Thanks.

Im pretty sure they are just set at XPsi...Ie:You can just just 5, 10 or whatever PSi you need/want!

Lumpy

[Power]

Running the stock intercooler as I do, it's the limiting factor in the Phase II mod and the only reason it can't be tuned to 300rwkw (well it can if you want to take huge risks).

So, I've been reading these types of threads for a while with great interest, as a temporary measure to keep IC temp down and not lose a few kw after a few back to back runs on the (private) road. I'm even considering it for the Phase III when I get to that even with that large APS intercooler.

It makes sense to me as a layman, but searching the net for info I found a few key points:

1) Boost is not the method people are using to initiate the spray, it's generally measurement of IC temp v ambient temp. More complex of course and some electronics required but I gather if you were handy with vero-board and some soldering you could DIY this as well.

2) Water spray is claimed to be effective only for racing, endurance, rally but not for drag racing. Not enough evaporation/time to get temp down apparently. Comments from guys doing significant tests such as "Under conditions where temps would normally take 2-3 minutes of steady driving to recover (w/o misters) I see recovery times of 30-45 seconds" make me wonder too as the drag is going to take a fraction of that time.

This article is probably the most relevant overall and gives reasoning for what works and won't, you can find many more if you look:

http://www.mrtrally.com.au/performance/tipintersprays.htm

It does seem to indicate iced water as a possible solution for drag racing so there you go.

3) Others are recommending 50/50 alcohol/water (to get the all important evaporation). Someone in this thread said 10% or something of metho, what do you think about the safety of 50%???

4) I would love to hear REAL LIFE drag racing results from someone like Geea who uses the water spray as to wether he truly feels it takes some tenths of his times - has it been tested?

Thanks!

[God666]

In one of the previous threads on IC sprays, I recommended using a mixture of metho (alcohol) and water to improve the evaporation rate. As for using up to 50%, not sure.

Easiest way to confirm this is to mix some metho up with water and stick a match to it to see whether it burns. You may need to vaporise it (ie put it in a spray bottle and spray a bit of burning paper) to see whether it aids combustion or works as a retardant. That test will answer the question of safety or whether you are encouring your T to turn into a mobile Flambe!

[rusht]

It does seem to indicate iced water as a possible solution for drag racing so there you go.

Slight off-topic but I have read of top mounted WRX intercoolers being loaded with ice for short term cooling.

[Swanga]

It does seem to indicate iced water as a possible solution for drag racing so there you go.

Slight off-topic but I have read of top mounted WRX intercoolers being loaded with ice for short term cooling.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Even better is that the STI comes standard with an intercooler spray

[turtle33]

search autospeed.com.au as they seemed have all angles covered and also sell the I/c spray kits

[veczar]

I have a T-Piece about 40cm from the motor on the washer bottle on an uphill incline, the one going striaght up goes back into the bottle lid. the ongoing left (horrizontal) goes to the IC (the ony from the bottom was from the bottle, where the water is pumped from)... cheap antisyphon! Works well. I dont have a presure switch because I didnt want to spend $70 and alos I dont use it much so a manual switch is good for me. Just flick it when I want some water

[ZAP]

Just remember to not use a IC spray at the track or they will kick you off for putting fluid on the track.