Intercooler pipe sizing and spool/ turbo efficiency
#1
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Intercooler pipe sizing and spool/ turbo efficiency
I have been debating about my car lately. My SR20 turbo and FM hot side parts is a really reliable setup. I thought about going with a Godspeed 3076 turbo, and running low boost to set my power goal around 250whp, but I am thinking again. My Garrett SR20 has been the most reliable turbo I ever had on my car, and I am kind of attached to it. I have been driving my car for the past year on 7psi with my stock injectors, and I am happy about the way it feels. I dyno'd at 225whp/207wtq 3/26/11 on right around 12 psi (when I ran RX7 460's). The car felt really fast at the power level.
I really like this turbo, as it's cheap and reliable, but the only thing I can say I don't care for is the super fast spool.
My intercooler is a Flyin Miata intercooler, and it uses 2 1/2" couplings. I actually have 2 1/2" to 2" reducer couplings on it, because my old I/C setup used 2" piping. The current plumbing setup I have now is 1/2 assed and I want to redo it with 2 1/2". If I do, this will also increase the volume that the turbo has to flow the air through, so what will happen? I'm guessing that my turbo should spool later than it does? Would this change the efficiency level of my turbo? If so, how?
I really like this turbo, as it's cheap and reliable, but the only thing I can say I don't care for is the super fast spool.
My intercooler is a Flyin Miata intercooler, and it uses 2 1/2" couplings. I actually have 2 1/2" to 2" reducer couplings on it, because my old I/C setup used 2" piping. The current plumbing setup I have now is 1/2 assed and I want to redo it with 2 1/2". If I do, this will also increase the volume that the turbo has to flow the air through, so what will happen? I'm guessing that my turbo should spool later than it does? Would this change the efficiency level of my turbo? If so, how?
Last edited by thirdgen; 04-09-2012 at 11:14 AM.
#2
I'm curious as to the opinions on this, as well. My previous setup was 2" on the hot side charge piping, and 2.5" on the cold side up to the TB. New setup will be 2.5" throughout unless I have a compelling reason to re-create what I had last time.
Also, this answer may be difference once you're sliding up over the 250whp level into the 300's, as at that point you're pushing a ton ofweight volume through the IC tract anyway with a bigger turbo, and the increased volume is likely somewhat negligible.
However, I'm rusty on this type of stuff since I've been away from the game for so long.
Also, this answer may be difference once you're sliding up over the 250whp level into the 300's, as at that point you're pushing a ton of
However, I'm rusty on this type of stuff since I've been away from the game for so long.
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I also just gutted my (spare) upper plenum, I wonder what kind of effect that will have with a small turbo. I mean, sure I'm making more boost, but I'm also not moving as many CFM's. I'm thinking the gutted plenum won't be beneficial for my application, but the 2 1/2" plumbing will slow my spool a bit. I have no idea what will happen to the turbo's max boost level though.
#4
So let me get this straight: you want slow spool and low power? sounds like the worst combo ever lol.
going from 2" to 2.5" on such a low boost/small turbo setup will do very little change.
friend went from 2 or 2.25 to full 3" with a WAY larger ic and saw like 300rpm delay in spoolup if that.
going from 2" to 2.5" on such a low boost/small turbo setup will do very little change.
friend went from 2 or 2.25 to full 3" with a WAY larger ic and saw like 300rpm delay in spoolup if that.
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I want to run my 425cc injectors and run around 12 psi boost again, not 7. I also want to clean up my I/C/ plumbing and make it look not so rigged up. I just don't want to cause a negative effect in doing this and am curious if that's going to happen.
#10
I ran 2-1/2" piping right off the outlet of my old 2554. Spooled like a light switch.
Thirdgen, I'd go with a larger turbo at less boost. I've been having fun with the .86 2870 that replaced my 2554. It's getting replaced with a much larger turbo later this year, too.
Why not swap out what you have for a .86 2860/71 and see how you like it?
Thirdgen, I'd go with a larger turbo at less boost. I've been having fun with the .86 2870 that replaced my 2554. It's getting replaced with a much larger turbo later this year, too.
Why not swap out what you have for a .86 2860/71 and see how you like it?
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You people want SLOWER spool? I often wish I had a 2554 instead of my 2560 just for a few extra RPM of spool. I have heard those won't quite do 240whp, though, so I will stick with what I've got. Crazy fools.
#15
I saw the following info posted in a DSM forum. If it is correct then it looks like 2 inch is OK for most situations.
0.4 Mach is the point at which air becomes turbulent and losses in efficiency start to occur exponentially. The key is to stay under that speed. You want to use the smallest piping possible that still flows enough to meet your needs. Larger than necessary piping increases lag time with no measurable gain
The velocities are in miles per hour and mach, and the flow rates are in cfm. Measurements for the piping are in inches.
2" piping
1.57 x 2 = 3.14 sq in
300 cfm = 156 mph = 0.20 mach
400 cfm = 208 mph = 0.27 mach
500 cfm = 261 mph = 0.34 mach
585 cfm max = 304 mph = 0.40 mach........approx 390 bhp
2.25" piping
3.9740625 sq in = 1.98703125 x 2
300 cfm = 123 mph = 0.16 mach
400 cfm = 164 mph = 0.21 mach
500 cfm = 205 mph = 0.26 mach
600 cfm = 247 mph = 0.32 mach
700 cfm = 288 mph = 0.37 mach
740 cfm max = 304 mph = 0.40 mach........approx 493 bhp
2.5" piping
4.90625 sq in = 2.453125 x 2
300 cfm = 100 mph = 0.13 mach
400 cfm = 133 mph = 0.17 mach
500 cfm = 166 mph = 0.21 mach
600 cfm = 200 mph = 0.26 mach
700 cfm = 233 mph = 0.30 mach
800 cfm = 266 mph = 0.34 mach
900 cfm = 300 mph = 0.39 mach
913 cfm max = 304 mph = 0.40 mach........ approx 608 bhp
The velocities are in miles per hour and mach, and the flow rates are in cfm. Measurements for the piping are in inches.
2" piping
1.57 x 2 = 3.14 sq in
300 cfm = 156 mph = 0.20 mach
400 cfm = 208 mph = 0.27 mach
500 cfm = 261 mph = 0.34 mach
585 cfm max = 304 mph = 0.40 mach........approx 390 bhp
2.25" piping
3.9740625 sq in = 1.98703125 x 2
300 cfm = 123 mph = 0.16 mach
400 cfm = 164 mph = 0.21 mach
500 cfm = 205 mph = 0.26 mach
600 cfm = 247 mph = 0.32 mach
700 cfm = 288 mph = 0.37 mach
740 cfm max = 304 mph = 0.40 mach........approx 493 bhp
2.5" piping
4.90625 sq in = 2.453125 x 2
300 cfm = 100 mph = 0.13 mach
400 cfm = 133 mph = 0.17 mach
500 cfm = 166 mph = 0.21 mach
600 cfm = 200 mph = 0.26 mach
700 cfm = 233 mph = 0.30 mach
800 cfm = 266 mph = 0.34 mach
900 cfm = 300 mph = 0.39 mach
913 cfm max = 304 mph = 0.40 mach........ approx 608 bhp
#16
that's cool and all, but does it account for bends/transitions/beads/ports and other things not found in a straight and true pipe? I'm thinking no.
300bhp is something like 290-310whp or something like that? I bet 2" is definitely restrictive for those power levels, especially past 5k rpm. I'm open to being proven wrong though.
300bhp is something like 290-310whp or something like that? I bet 2" is definitely restrictive for those power levels, especially past 5k rpm. I'm open to being proven wrong though.
#18
I'm following that discussion as I've for a while wanted to redo the hot side on my MSM. That stock setup is far from optimal. But then again, it seems to flow well enough for right ~200whp. The cold side on the other hand seems pretty decent.
I'm thinking 2" should be just right for around 300hp and 500cfm @ 7000rms. My "long" term goal.
I'm thinking 2" should be just right for around 300hp and 500cfm @ 7000rms. My "long" term goal.