Originally posted by DrFrankenbarge:
Water to air can be more efficient... but it eventually becomes limited by ambient temp just like an air to air... what do you think cools the water after it sucks all the heat from your compressed air... it's the ambient air.

Water/Air IC's are typically used in one-shot cars like drag cars so they can pack them with ice... or in the case of the contour, cars w/o a good spot/room to put an air/air.



Correct.

Even without ice the water to air is more beneficial in the short run with the car at low air speeds because the coolant can still absorb heat without airflow going through the radiator.
However, prolonged idling and stop and go traffic will kill the water to air setup when the watter gets too warm. So I don't know, I like the water to air in the long run despite any issues. In winter time it will actually warm the incoming air charge up a little bit as well.

Former owner of '99 CSVT - Silver #222/2760 356/334 wHP/TQ at 10psi on pump gas! See My Mods '05 Volvo S40 Turbo 5 AWD with 6spd, Passion Red '06 Mazda5 Touring, 5spd,MTX, Black