upgrading intercoolers

[mooshie]

If i start out just running a small second hand sidemount just to save a bit of money initially and then later decide to upgrade to either water 2 air or a large frontmount, would i need a new tune on the computer, or would it adjust ok? looking at running a autronic smc. just wondering, thanks.

[BLKCRX]

Most certainly, your would need a re tune, to adjust ( fine tune) for your new cooler.

Changing intercoolers changes the pressure of the whole system, changes air flow, air temperature, and efficiency, in fact im sure it changes other things 2.. but yeah 2 cut a long story short, when you install your new cooler run her up on the dyno again and make sure everything is perfect.
It doesn’t hurt to play it safe and triple check everything.

[ProECU]

hehe, mooshie's goin turbo.... how many is that now in adelaide, lol

[mooshie]

so waht about running the car on a 35 degree day if it was tuned on a 20 degree day? i mean obviously you wouldn't want to thrash it in those temperatures but why do i rarely hear of people having problems?

[BLKCRX]

most ECU should have air intake compensation, but when you start changing flow / direction / efficacy of the air you really need to check everything again on the dyno.

[pornstar]

mooshie, the autronic has compensation tables for that. The tuner will be able to tune for all conditions using those compensations

[mooshie]

hmm can yours do that too Evan? gotta get down to West's workshop and have a chat to him about ECU options :wink,wink: at this stage though i think the widespead use of the Autronic makes it my favourite, anyhow that is for another thread.

[ProECU]

yes, most ECU's can.

The honda ECU is more intricate than people realise...

Brett is a seasoned mechanic / tuner, he'll point you in the right direction.

If i can help you anyow, just holler...

[mooshie]

cheers

[LSD Motorsports]

so waht about running the car on a 35 degree day if it was tuned on a 20 degree day? i mean obviously you wouldn't want to thrash it in those temperatures but why do i rarely hear of people having problems?

As stated above, some factors would change, however they are extremely minor and can be ignored if all other parts in your kit remain the same. Many people as do we like to do things right. However, sometimes people like to overkill an issue when it is not really necessary. there is minimal pressure drop in any descent fmic. Temperature is not going to change by a huge amount and the cooler more condensed air will only bump you up a tad bit leaner. If you had a descent tune to begin with, Theres nothing to worry about from a simple intercooler swap.

[ProECU]

Tthe cooler more condensed air will only bump you up a tad bit leaner.

Yeah...
Define "tad bit" leaner.

I personally wouldnt risk it.
If you don't have the o2 monitoring tools to definately decide if you're "too" lean, then a quick run on a dyno will definately tell you.

Even a 1/2 a/f point is enough to cause damage on a boosted motor.

A 10% fuel increase is generally 1 a/f point from my experience, so even a 5% change in airflow or air density is going to present issues.

[Weq]

unless u have an agressive tune, i doubt u will need any retune. I went from no intercooler to cooler no worries. that was only 7psi though