Cheap ebay intercoolers (Now just my tuning thread)

[Coyotemutt]

I ended up figuring it out. The turbo does indeed work harder at elevation so even at 100kpa, intake temps start to climb. Not unreasonably so, but enough to note.

So I have to plan out ignition retard based on 74kpa and pull timing out a little at a time starting at ~90-100kpa. I think I need to put on an intercooler because just keeping up with traffic up the hills out here holds a steady 94kpa at the least (which is 3psi here) and pushes IATs up near 130f. No ping, but getting up there for sure.

I just cant figure out where to mount one at the moment... I have my turbo mounted on top of a baja style header, practically sitting atop the fan shroud. There's less than two feet between it and either carb.

[buguy]

I would do water/meth injection myself. Seems the guys that have it, have better success than with an intercooler.

[Clonebug]

Boost retard is based more on intake temp than the boost level itself.
That's just one of the advantages of FI. You can retard the timing based on the IAT/boost levels or just one or the other.
When you travel great distances and hit a completely different climate... the tune you had at home just doesn't work at the new place.

Elevation and ambient air temps have a significant effect on timing needs.

I panicked when I ran into that situation and lowered my ignition map in the problem areas....I should have just adjusted the IAT retard instead.
I'll test that this summer when we go back to California.

[Coyotemutt]

I would do water/meth injection myself. Seems the guys that have it, have better success than with an intercooler.

I have that kicking on at 4psi. It's absolutely excellent for hard pulls or passing maneuvers but it doesnt help for long uphill drives. We have a hill in New Mexico that everyone calls "9 mile hill" for example.

I read a great article on ignition timing last year that showed that the torque difference between ideal timing and as much as 4 degrees retarded from that point is negligible but runs much cooler. So for safety's sake I have now set it to come down to 28 from 32 by 100kpa. I'm pretty confident it should be a good compromise.

[buguy]

Roger that. It's just with an intercooler it really needs to be out where it can catch some air. Not always so easy to do.
I'm betting that timing will help too.
Edit: i forgot you have a baja. That makes things much easier!

[Clonebug]

My intercooler doesn't catch much air ....per say......but it works well enough to keep my IAT's down to near ambient combined with the W/I.

I do have a fan on it but I'm guessing it's not that efficient. I should probably shroud it a little better but on the street it has worked well enough.
My intercooler drops IAT's by about 30-40 degrees.....more when the temps are lower.

[Coyotemutt]

Here's where my timing map is right now

Map.gif

It feels a little saggy from a stop but otherwise it seems safe and pulls great all the way through 3rd gear. No audible ping. I decided to treat 100kpa as if it were 4 psi boost due to my elevation, so thats when my water methanol injection kicks in. 1.5GPH (measured) nozzle. Sometimes on a very cold morning the engine misfires when the injection kicks in on the interstate. When the car is just pulling a grade and needs a wee bit of extra umph to get over the hill, the injection is a little much.

Just curious if anyone sees anything seriously concerning here. Keep in mind, atmospheric here is 74-75kpa.