Confused About Intercoolers Vs. Radiators? We’ve Got You Covered
If you’re shopping for a new car or a car enthusiast, you’ve probably come across the terms “Intercooler” and “Radiator”. However, do you truly understand their functions and operations? Both are cooling devices, but they work in different ways and are used for different purposes. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between intercoolers and radiators, and how each one is used.
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What is an intercooler?
Simply put, an Intercooler is like an AC(Air Conditioner) for your car’s engine. Technically, it’s a device that cools the air that has been compressed by a turbocharger or supercharger. It consists of a heat exchanger that brings down the temperature of the air by transferring the heat from the air to the atmosphere through a coolant which is usually air, water or oil.
Intercoolers majorly come in 3 different types. They are:
Air-to-Air Intercooler — This type of intercooler is the most common and is found in many turbocharged and supercharged cars. They’re also often found on drag race cars because they have no restrictions on airflow like other systems do. Few notable cars that use air-to-air intercoolers include the Subaru WRX STI, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Ford Focus RS, and Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Air-to-Water Intercooler — This type of intercooler is typically found in high-performance cars and uses water to cool the compressed air. Cars like Audi S4, BMW M3, and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG employ this technology.
Water/Methanol Intercooler — This type of intercooler uses a mixture of water and methanol to cool the compressed air. It’s typically found in race cars and high-performance vehicles. Examples of cars that use water/methanol intercoolers include the Nissan GT-R and the Porsche 911 Turbo.
It’s important to note that each type has its own advantages and disadvantages and the type of intercooler that you choose will depend on how much power you want to get out of your engine.
And now, what is a radiator?
Just like how we feel the urge to sip on a cool drink on a hot day, your car’s engine too needs to stay cool when it’s working. And that’s where Radiator comes in. Technically, a Radiator is nothing but a heat exchanger used to transfer thermal energy from one medium to another for the purpose of cooling and heating. Not Just for Home Heating Anymore. It is often used to cool engine coolant, transmission fluid, and other fluids used in cars.
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Cool, but how do they work?
Ultimately, both intercoolers and radiators serve a single purpose — to cool the engine. designed to cool fluids that are essential for the smooth operation of your car. However, the way in which they work is very different.
The primary function of a radiator is to dissipate heat from a liquid that has already been heated. The cool liquid is filtered through the radiator core, where it passes through rows of flat metal tubes, fins and cooling fans. As the air moves past these areas, it is cooled and carries away the excess heat.
In contrast, an intercooler works by compressing air before it enters the engine. This is beneficial because compressed air is hotter, and therefore more oxygen-rich, than lower pressure air. During the compression process, extra heat is created. And it is then cooled by a heat exchanger — the Intercooler. This lowers the temperature of the air and maintains the oxygen level, allowing the engine to perform more efficiently.
Great, but what are the benefits of each?
When it comes to selecting a radiator or intercooler for your car, there are a variety of benefits you will get by choosing either one.
Benefits of Intercoolers:
- Increased engine performance
- Increased fuel efficiency
- Increased reliability
Benefits of Radiators:
- Reduced engine temperature
- Increased fuel efficiency
- Increased reliability
Which should you choose for your car?
Now that you understand the differences between radiators and intercoolers and the benefits of each, how do you know which one to choose for your car? Before you decide, ask yourself these 3 questions:
Do I want something low-maintenance and reliable, or something more high-performance?
Go for Radiators
Do I need something that can dissipate heat quickly or something that can optimize my engine’s oxygen content?
Well, choose Intercoolers
Will this be used for a regular vehicle or something high-performance?
Intercoolers work best for high-performance vehicles, while radiators are suitable for regular cars
Bottomline
Remember that intercoolers and radiators are two separate cooling systems that each offer their own benefits. Intercoolers are ideal for engines that need a quick boost of power and optimized oxygen content, while radiators are best for cars and machinery that require minimal maintenance and reliable cooling.
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