New intercooler alternatives..

[Thomasio]

Originally Posted by trompazo

Whats the width and length of this new intercooler?

With the Shocos side scoop setup, the box would require any intercooler to be the same, although it could be thicker.

The RLS Intercooler is both thicker (parallel to the ambient air flow) and taller (perpendicular to the ambient air flow). It is also different internal construction.

[trompazo]

Do you know how much taller exactly?

[Thomasio]

Originally Posted by trompazo

Do you know how much taller exactly?

Yes, it's in one of my other posts... off the top of my head the stock intercooler is 7" and the RRS is 8", so roughly 1" taller. (It may be a little more than that... you can PM me this evening and I can measure it for you.

[Thomasio]

Fun with data... this isn't anything but playing with logging parameters. "Nothing to see here... move along... move along..."

[Mag]

I think this product offering sounds like a good idea so far, and that I am considering the system... I'm just an enthusiast and have no proper training in the field so pardon the enquirey if it sounds naive.

The RLS intercooler changes the IAT location so that the ECU receives the "coolest" possible readings which occur after the heat exchange core. That makes sense. I've never seen IAT's placed on hot side of IC, let alone on an IC itself, usually it's right infront of the throttle body, but my experience is limited to honda's and nissans only. However ... I would have thought Lotus had factored this detail into the design, unlike mass market cars where sensors and such details are determined based on parts costs, automated manufacturing, etc... in mind.

Thus can't think of a reason why they did it the way they did unless it was on purpose. Only reason I can think of is that this is some sort of "buffer" and the retarding from ECU was desinged in to prolong engine life (until atleast the warrantee is up). After all for better or worse, lotus is more commercial now than before. Just my laymans guess...

It would be interesting to understand where they put the IAT's in race version cars, such as gt3, or even the limited production 240R, or cup cars (still new to lotus, not sure which cup cars are SC).

Likewise, where is the IAT location for the air to water systems?

[Thomasio]

Lotus did correctly place the IAT sensor... at least for a non water/methanol injected engine. The stock IAT is located on the output-side end-tank of the intercooler.

Since the ideal place for the water/methanol injection nozzle is after the intercooler core, RLS places the WI nozzle at that spot and moves the IAT sensor downstream which is after the WI has cooled the compressed air.

Proper location of the WI nozzle and proper location of the IAT sensor makes a big difference.

[Mag]

ah... i see. thanks. look forward to your findings

[Mag]

Originally Posted by Doghouse

Just looked at the web site and I guess the price of the part is 71,400 Yen which equals about $700 USD.

Of course there is the issue of ordering, shipping, etc....

It also would require a body modification....but would keep the stock intercooler.

Maybe.....

cheaper alternative, and brings scoop to front side, not sure how effective it is, looks like a S roof mod.
http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h60141429
http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w20594763

[shay2nak]

Thomasio,

So there are 2 different configurations of the same IC...one with a mount for meth/water injection and one without, correct?

And I have to send back one of the pipes back to you because it doesn't have the mount for the sensor that is on the stock IC currently, correct? Which pipe do I have to send back? The larger one I'm guessing.

Thanks!

[Thomasio]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

Thomasio,

So there are 2 different configurations of the same IC...one with a mount for meth/water injection and one without, correct?

And I have to send back one of the pipes back to you because it doesn't have the mount for the sensor that is on the stock IC currently, correct? Which pipe do I have to send back? The larger one I'm guessing.

Thanks!

There are four ways to get the RLS Intercooler: 1) non-anodized, OEM (P)IAT bung, 2) anodized, OEM (P)IAT bung, 3) non-anodized, Aquamist nozzle bung, 4) anodized, Aquamist nozzle bung.

When you are ready, I can send you out the replacement RLS Tube w/ (P)IAT sensor bung. Actually, it is the short tube. I think that the "upgrade" price is your tube + $65, but need to check my notes to confirm.

[Pestodude]

Originally Posted by Mag

cheaper alternative, and brings scoop to front side, not sure how effective it is, looks like a S roof mod.
http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h60141429
http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w20594763

I like that scoop. Any idea how I can buy it from the US? (I can't read Japanese). What's the name of the company? Maybe I can Google it.

[Thomasio]

Originally Posted by Pestodude

I like that scoop. Any idea how I can buy it from the US? (I can't read Japanese). What's the name of the company? Maybe I can Google it.

There is another option... right here in the U.S.

But it is much prettier than that... You guys keep forcing me to introduce stuff before I'm ready!!

Here is the scoop: (no pun intended)

Similar to what you see in the photos (above), but it is a full-length "cap" that runs from the windshield all the way back to the rear hatch. It is a three-piece installation: the first piece is the functional duct, looks a wee bit like the Cup roof. The second piece is merely an aesthetic "skin" that fills in the area between the roof and the rear hatch. The third piece is also a "skin" that blends into the rear hatch. It looks mighty nice. Improves airflow (but not as well as a roof replacement.) It is a nice option.

Price will be announced within 2 weeks, but expect it to be well under $1k. Made in the USA.

[Mag]

Originally Posted by Pestodude

I like that scoop. Any idea how I can buy it from the US? (I can't read Japanese). What's the name of the company? Maybe I can Google it.

It's hard to buy from japan yahoo unless you know either someone in japan or an agent...

the hood mod in the pics were found off auction link of OUTER PLUS, but i thnk they are a distributor as well as sell orig. parts check this site, lots of candy http://www.outerplus.com/

but not sure how functional one of these things really can be... as thomasio mentions. for performance, full roof replacement is better imo.

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by Thomasio

There are four ways to get the RLS Intercooler: 1) non-anodized, OEM (P)AIT bung, 2) anodized, OEM (P)AIT bung, 3) non-anodized, Aquamist nozzle bung, 4) anodized, Aquamist nozzle bung.

When you are ready, I can send you out the replacement RLS Tube w/ (P)AIT sensor bung. Actually, it is the short tube. I think that the "upgrade" price is your tube + $65, but need to check my notes to confirm.

you have a picture of the IC with and w/o the bung? Also howcome the sensor position was moved from the edge of the IC onto the shorter IC pipe?

[Thomasio]

Yes have pictures scattered in different threads and I'll be taking more in the coming days.

The Bosch sensor was removed from the intercooler to make room for the water/methanol injection nozzle... and the Bosch IAT was moved as far downstream as possible to allow the water/methanol to do its magic before the IAT sensor takes the reading.

[25psi_Elise_Killer]

I was at a car show at Mitsubishi USA headquarters over the weekend and they had this Starion Rally car from the 1980's on display from their corporate museum. It uses an intercooler as a spoiler... First time i ever saw a setup like this:

[lwein]

Little known sports car--Porsche--has done this for years on the turbo's

[apk919]

Originally Posted by lwein

Little known sports car--Porsche--has done this for years on the turbo's

Yep... and you'll notice there's a lot more cross-sectional area in the airflow than the Exige...

[shay2nak]

I love the starion!

[Pestodude]

Maybe I missed it but is there any comparison of stock after intercooler charge temps VS temps from the charge coming from the RLS intercooler with similar ambient temps? After all, that's the whole point, isn't it. I ask this, not because I don't believe that the RLS unit is a better unit than stock, but because I believe that the real issue is that not enough air is allowed through the clam to effectively cool ANY air to air intercooler.

See this thread:

2007 Exige S Intercooler Air Flow Study