REVscene Automotive Forum - installed a bigger intercooler, but completely lost low end torque?

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- - installed a bigger intercooler, but completely lost low end torque? (https://www.revscene.net/forums/705932-installed-bigger-intercooler-but-completely-lost-low-end-torque.html)

Air is compressible gas, when you increase the total volume of the system it takes longer to compress that volume to the desired pressure.

You have an little baby turbo and it's having a hard time building the boost quickly, as SumAznGuy said, you have a boost lag issue.

Having said all that, you probably have a FMIC now that looks boss and will get all the other ricers who bought the wrong car to mod jelly.

GL

Quote:

Originally Posted by se3p-tt (Post 8692052)

as the title stated, one of my buddy installed a bigger intercooler then the OEM one, but i have no idea how BIGGER it is. but after installed, all the low end torque had been completely lost.

anyone got any idea or any reason why?

the car is 2012 MB W204 C250 1.8L turbo.

I love these posts. Your profile says you have a W204 too. Funny that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by se3p-tt (Post 8692127)

thanks for all the response. i will tell him to look for the leakage first.

there's no leak.

what makes a turbo spin? more rpm.
bigger intercooler = more area to fill with air
more area to fill with air = turbo needs to spin longer to fill air
turbo needs to spin longer = it takes more rpm to fill area with air
more rpm = no power at lower rpm

It's been mentioned already, but an intercooler is a SUPPORT MOD.
You DO NOT gain power from getting support mods if that's the only mod you do.
Support mods are something you do once the powertrain has exceeded the useful efficiency of the current part.

Here's an example of how you should determine if an intercooler is necessary step by step. numbers are made up.
11 psi + stock ic = 300hp 35c IAT
16 psi + stock ic = 340hp 38c IAT
18 psi + stock ic = 345hp 48c IAT
18 psi + upgraded ic = 355hp 38c IAT

you can see how this example shows that stock ic is good until around 16psi~. when you got to 18psi, the stock ic couldn't handle the heat and the IAT went sharply up, contributing to little to no power increase. that's when you know it's time to change the i/c.