Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #3262
From: Russell Duffy <13brv3@bellsouth.net>
Subject: today's turbo musings
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2003 21:08:21 -0500
To: Flyrotary List <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Message
Howdy all,
 
Well, I took a couple intercoolers to the hanger, and tried them on for size.  The FC model would probably go in the right cheek, without too much effort, though I'm worried that I'll pressurize the back of my radiator and oil cooler if I let too much air flow through it.  What to do, what to do...
 
I also did some more research on charge temps, and intercooler effectiveness.  It seems that 70F is about the best temp drop that you can hope for with a good intercooler, at high boost.  Unfortunately, size counts, and neither the FC nor FD intercooler is what would be considered "good".   Adequate might even be a stretch, especially for the FD model.  In the scheme of things, <=70F really isn't a deal breaker, and I'm starting to believe it falls in the category of refinement, more than necessity, when talking about 10 psi or less of boost, particularly when the higher boost is only used at frigid altitudes.  Turbo Tom considers it a necessity, but I have to wonder what his criteria is.  If I had a car, and were limited to X psi of boost, I would consider intercooling necessary to make the most power possible.  Since I should easily have more power than I could ever need, I don't see the intercooler being quite as essential.  
 
What does this all mean.  Well, I'm going to fly it like it is, and use up to 5 psi for takeoff.  At altitude, I'll go for the gusto, but will try to limit myself to 50" MAP, or 12 psi of boost over ambient, whichever comes first.  This should make a world of difference, and I can move on to something else.  
 
Cheers,
Rusty 
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