ScienceofSpeed has begun manufacturing of an intercooler (aftercooler) for the NSX to be used in conjunction with ScienceofSpeed and Comptech (CT Engineering) supercharger systems.
The placement of an intercooler in the NSX with a positive displacement supercharger is very limiting due to packaging constraints. Currently available intercoolers use a fabricated bar and plate radiator core sandwiched between the supercharger and intake manifold. However, due to the small plenum size available above the core and uneven distribution of the discharge from the supercharger, these systems peak at 42% thermal efficiency in our testing.
ScienceofSpeed has developed an intercooler design based on the Laminova intercooler core. The Laminova intercooler core is a revolutionary design that consists of single piece extruded aluminum cores that offer much higher efficiency due to the larger surface area and unique flow around the cores.
http://www.opcon.se/index.asp?sPage=1&langID=2&cID=15
The Laminova cores are now used on various supercharged OEM vehicles such as the Corvette ZR1, Cobalt SS, and Cadillac STS-V.
Although significantly more expensive than welded cores, the Laminova intercooler design offers additional advantages other than efficiency. The one piece extruded cores are housed in a machined aluminum housing with machined aluminum end caps. This design eliminates welding requirements for a solid sealed assembly. The design also allows us to dip the intercooler assembly into the intake manifold to decrease blower height. The overall increase in height is only 1.3".
Using 90 F coolant, at 10,500 l/min of air flow (which is where our system produces the most torque) we expect a 133.3 F inlet temp reduction (65.9% thermal efficiency). At 16,800 l/min of air flow (which is at peak power) we expect a 107.6 F inlet temp reduction. Based on these performance estimates, this will translate to 13% increase at peak torque and 11% increase at peak power points. We expect to begin performance testing in 2-3 weeks with our prototype unit.
Much thanks to the engineers with Laminova and our machine shop for working with us on this project.
Cheers,
-- Chris
The placement of an intercooler in the NSX with a positive displacement supercharger is very limiting due to packaging constraints. Currently available intercoolers use a fabricated bar and plate radiator core sandwiched between the supercharger and intake manifold. However, due to the small plenum size available above the core and uneven distribution of the discharge from the supercharger, these systems peak at 42% thermal efficiency in our testing.
ScienceofSpeed has developed an intercooler design based on the Laminova intercooler core. The Laminova intercooler core is a revolutionary design that consists of single piece extruded aluminum cores that offer much higher efficiency due to the larger surface area and unique flow around the cores.
http://www.opcon.se/index.asp?sPage=1&langID=2&cID=15
The Laminova cores are now used on various supercharged OEM vehicles such as the Corvette ZR1, Cobalt SS, and Cadillac STS-V.
Although significantly more expensive than welded cores, the Laminova intercooler design offers additional advantages other than efficiency. The one piece extruded cores are housed in a machined aluminum housing with machined aluminum end caps. This design eliminates welding requirements for a solid sealed assembly. The design also allows us to dip the intercooler assembly into the intake manifold to decrease blower height. The overall increase in height is only 1.3".
Using 90 F coolant, at 10,500 l/min of air flow (which is where our system produces the most torque) we expect a 133.3 F inlet temp reduction (65.9% thermal efficiency). At 16,800 l/min of air flow (which is at peak power) we expect a 107.6 F inlet temp reduction. Based on these performance estimates, this will translate to 13% increase at peak torque and 11% increase at peak power points. We expect to begin performance testing in 2-3 weeks with our prototype unit.
Much thanks to the engineers with Laminova and our machine shop for working with us on this project.
Cheers,
-- Chris
