"Aftermarket Intercoolers improve forced induction operations. Reduce heat. Top gear power. Intercooled Chevrolet Corvettes"
APS Chevrolet Corvette Twin Intercoolers pictures - airpowersystems.com
The intercoolers we are thinking about in this article are the systems designed for the forced induction modern Corvette. The forced induction we are talking about here is accomplished through both turbochargers and superchargers which both operate on the same principles, have interchangeable parts and theories spread out between them. Most often the intercooler is referenced in its relationship to a turbo-charged application though.
APS Twin Corvette Intercoolers installed picture - airpowersystems.com
Basically intercoolers are heat exchange devices that cool the compressed (and heated) air before it enters the engine. They do this by radiating the heat away from the intake air through fins on the intercooler (like your radiator). Cooling the air reduces the density (like a hot air balloon shrinks as it cools) which basically means there is more oxygen and fuel in the mixture when it reaches the cylinders for combustion.
ZR1 LS9 Corvette factory installed intercooler pictures
The intercooled air entering the engine also lowers operating temperature and increases the life of nearly all parts. Air leaving the turbocharger is usually around 840 degrees Fahrenheit (or 450 degrees Celsius) and can go as high as 1200 deg. F. (or 650 deg. C.). Overheated and broken piston crowns and exhaust valves are usually the first to go on hot running forced induction motors.
APS Twin Intercooled Twin Turbo System for the Corvette Z06 photos - airpowersystems.com
A water injected mist sprayed on the intercooler surface or into the actual intake is another method to further cool the air, but, generally this method is for the track and will be covered in a later article.
Simple Air to Air Intercooler picture – commons
Air-to-Air Intercooler Fins close-up picture - commons
Most intercoolers are air-to-air heat exchange devices (like the old air cooled Porsche and VW engines), but there is also Air-to-liquid intercoolers (Charge-Air-Coolers) that flow liquid through the fins of the intercooler to draw heat away even faster. These units offer better throttle response because of the shortened intake air flow tracts. The problem is they add weight and complexity (fluid pumps, fittings, and plumbing). Ford often applies this technology and uses it today on the awesome Shelby GT500, and even more awesome than that "Shelby Super Snake".
Intercoolers are part of this GM Corvette Z06 LS7 system - airpowersystems.com
For the Twin Turbo Corvette applications APS engineering (Air Power Systems) makes some of the more trick and supreme intercooler systems. They have units to fit C5 and C6 Corvettes from 1998 to present, which include the Z06. It is understood there is a lot about APS systems in this article, but they are in to intercoolers in a big way, and it shows.
APS equipped C6 Corvette pictures - airpowersystems.com
ProCharger is another name you will come across when looking into intercoolers for the Corvette.
As far as many air-to-air intercoolers go, it is not that much of an issue for a performance aftermarket tuner to fabricate a unit "in house". This assures the unit will have the most custom fit for their particular application.
______ Video not working? Click page and Hit the F5 key to refresh _____
Chevy Corvette Twin Turbo C6 Z06 videos:
| |
APS Intercooled Twin Turbo Corvette C6 Z06 on Dyno video
[ref] wikipedia.org, airpowersystems.com
Visit the Corvette “American Metal Racing” modern muscle cars index for more information, images and videos.
| Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
...... Want to subscribe or just want to know more about how these articles are published? Here is the info on Feeds. Note: Many linked images or pictures are of high quality, and if your browser is not configured to resize they may be larger than the viewable area in your browser window.
This series is dedicated to the Chevrolet Corvette C5 C6 C7 enthusiast. We include news and details on the base Chevy Vettes, the Z06, and new ZR1 SuperCar model. The LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9, a racing engine, crate motor, or hot rod tuning subject is always game for discussion. Factory stock General Motors Corvettes, the engines and options, performance and horsepower specialty tuners, and aftermarket parts to make a modified Vette the fastest or quickest are what we are all about. The main years of interest are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and beyond for the GM future.
Read through the American Metal site archives for more high tech info on the exotic Corvette. The sites index will also display archive info on the coupe and convertible sport car Corvette. The cars design, concept, and high performance aspects are all explored. See the site wallpaper galleries for both the Camaro and Corvette via this free wallpapers link.
Also, please use any information with caution. These articles contain information from many sources, and it is impossible to verify the accuracy on each of these sources, so please do your own research before reacting to anything, and consult your local professional for guaranteed information.
Visit the Zorly Corvette American Metal Home Page, or view the entire index. Also see the Camaro American Metal site. Thanks for the interest!
Corvette "American Metal Racing" by Zorly aka Paul Malessa
Also visit the Modeling in Motion websites
Tampa Bay and Orlando areas, FL USA
