Thread: Do you want to know how much your intercooler pump flows?
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Old Nov 21, 2012 | 02:59 PM
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waldig
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From: VA
Talking Do you want to know how much your intercooler pump flows?
In evaluating the potential benefits of my parallel water path intercooler versus the stock intercooler 3 pass design I became more aware of the IC pumps contribution. The original pump ( 10 series ) has been replaced by many for performance gains and to replace a failing pump. When the development of the Super cooler first started, I measured the factory set-up and saw only about 1.5 GPM thru the HE and IC.

With the 30 series pumps that number jumped near 3 GPM due to greater capacity and pressure. This is where most of us are at today, better than stock.

To test the IC's effect on water flow I took several videos of my car in the garage while changing the IC's configuration 1*. In a nut shell I checked my car with the stock IC, my 30 pump and supercooler to get a baseline water flow. That came in at about 2.7 GPM with a battery charger to keep the results consistant.

Next I tested the water flow with the IC removed to see the maximum water flow - possibe. I also tested my car with the parallel core IC I made to see how that altered the water flow.

Finally, I put everything back together and ran a 4th test to confirm my baseline readings - Repeatability of my setup. Hope you gain a better appreciation / take something away after seeing these videos.

Testing the far with the stock IC in place - baseline readings


Testing the car without the IC ( deleted ) to check max flow.


Testing the car with the parallel path IC core ( Frankencore )


Testing the car in the original configuration to confirm readings


What I have taken from this testing is that the 30 series pump is maxed out at about 3-4 GPM in a car setup depending on the IC flow path - parallel or 3 pass series water path. The parallel path can easily flow more water, and its the pump that has limited any flow improvements. More flow will scrub - turbulent flow - more heat from the IC. It appears that greater water flow has the potential to lower IAT and even out the spiking of out inlet air temps ( given that you are using a SEPARATED IC WATER CIRCUIT and that your car has a BIGGER THAN STOCK HE INSTALLED ).

To answer this question and see the potential benefits if they exist, I searched and found a bigger Johnson pump that is similar in design and rated lifespan to our 10 or 30 series pumps. Its called the 90 series and it IN THE MAIL at this time, so I can check its performance out. Also ebay has a greater flow meter, which is also on order and due for testing shortly.

The performance of the different pump capacities and pressures is shown in the following chart from Johnson Co. Iam thinking that modulating the voltage to the pump and thereby controlling its speed / pumping capacity; would be useful for normal and spirited driving situations.

Have a happy turkey day and be safe.

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...13535274575872


If you have not already seen the posts on the Technical & Modifications, there are more backup posts on this topic.




1* Baseline = 2.7 GPM - stock IC
Test #1 = 3.7 GPM - Parallel IC
Test #2 = 4.4 GPM - NO IC !
Test #3 = 2.7 GPM - stock IC to confirm setup
 
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