Thumb???
No thats just my middle finger, its a bit distorted from the editing.
This morning I posted some results but the post isn't here??
Oh well, here it is again with less description since I'm on my lunch hour.
Yesterday I measured intercooler temps morning and late afternoon, both times with the car at operating temp and the intercooler pump off long enough for the temperature to be stabilized. This is as effective as measuring before the cooler because the cooler is so close to the turbo and with the pump off there is no circulation so no cooling effect.
Results:
Morning, ambient ~68-70 F, car idling pump off, IAT = 91 F
Pump on, 30 seconds later the temp stabilized, IAT = 88 F
3 deg F temperature drop just from circulation.
Afternoon, ambient ~80-85 F, car idling pump off, IAT = 134 F
Pump on, 30 seconds later the temp stabilized, IAT = 129 F
5 deg F temperature drop from the circulation.
In Phoenix when we did the first dyno run (300HP) the ambient was ~88 (night time), there was a strong fan in front of the car blowing on the intercooler heat exchanger.
The car was not hot yet, but FWIW the IAT hit only 114 F.
Before the intercooler was on the car, 3rd gear pull on the freeway so it had plenty of fresh air coming in. Ambient was at least 85F; IAT read 169F right when I let off.
So with these preliminary tests it looks like the intecooler is pretty efficient.
Kinger, the only benefit to the trunk mounted tank is that it can be bigger and hold ice. It is the heat exchanger in the front that determines the cooling efficiency. Without ice, the liquid will heat up to the same temperature as mine does and will then perform identical assuming the intercooler cores were identical. All the extra water does is give it more mass to heat up, so it takes longer for the liquid temp to rise. For the track, ice is a huge benefit though for everyday driving it isn't practical. That is why I went with this smaller front mounted reservoir. I didn't loose any usable space and I can still plumb in a second trunk mounted tank for iced water for track days. In the meantime I loose no trunkspace for daily driving.
Tom
PS: Most of the welds you see were done at spearco though where the blow-off valve and the intake pipe are welded on is what Keith did. I think he did a great job too.