Cooler Swap & No Retune Test = Dyno Results

[Saski]

Just wanted to post my results from just a cooler swap and NO retune whatsoever.

Given there has been lots of previous posts about this topic and various opinions given, I though it would be good to have some proof, using my car as a test dummy.

Car was originally tuned by a popular Melbourne tuner using Mainline Dyno. 11.5psi, injectors, F6 intake and valve springs, stock exhaust, stock turbo/actuator, walbro and lastly.... BF F6 cooler.

I wanted to see the results of changing from FPV F6 cooler to the CAPA BA/BF direct bolt on.

There were no other mods done - same tune, same tyres and pressures. Just the intercooler swap.

See dyno sheet attached.

The red line represents the new found power and torque with the CAPA cooler.

The blue represents the F6 cooler power run.

The test was done at a different workshop to the original tune but also using a Mainline dyno.

The baseline power using F6 cooler was practically the same as when it was tuned elsewhere, only difference being 1kw between the two different dyno's.....so we know that both dyno's are quite accurate regardless of workshop..

MY FINDINGS/RESULTS:

* not every tuned car will require a retune with an intercooler change as long as the exhaust and piping remains unchanged

* my car did not spike in boost at all with the CAPA cooler which is significantly larger and thicker than a std BF F6

* ECU if anything made the mixtures a 'little' richer towards top end using the CAPA cooler (a retune could tidy it up and make a few more KW but current tune will not need to change)

* RWKW increased and torque jumps from 3,666 RPM, much earlier than with F6 cooler

* Inlet temps were some 16 degrees cooler with the CAPA intercooler than with the std F6 cooler

* lambda remains stable even after the cooler change

As always, if changing anything, get it checked on the dyno to be on the safe side.

Cheers

Edited 13/11/13 04:40 AM by Saski

[BRK]

Interesting and thanks for the post on this.

[Saski]

I should also add that the car was originally tuned for 11.5psi max.

After the CAPA cooler went on, the dyno showed that the maximum recorded boost pressure was 11.7psi in all RPM ranges.

We even ramped it past the previous test speed to see what it would do and it was still ok even at 205km

More impressive was that earlier on in the RPM range there a noticeable increase in torque as you can see on the dyno graph.

I could have shown the boost trail which remained steady as mentioned but wanted to show the torque and lambda readinvs which I think is more useful

[Robos F6]

Well done for the comparison,. 10rwkw isnt too shabby

[Saski]

10rwkw overall increase higher up in the range however earlier on in the range its more like 45rwkw as the new free flowing cooler helps the turbo come on song earlier.

Bought the cooler for a bargain price in near mint condition, so this small investment has netted the biggest results cost wise and is suited to what I wanted to acheive inc. using factory piping.

I wasn't prepared to fork out $1,000+ for a cooler, but that's just me.

[Henz]

I did this 5 years ago.

I wouldn't call this helpful at all, a Capa cooler is barely an upgrade.

Upgrading to a proper cooler will really fhuck afr's up.

[Skids4kids]

Missing the point I think ^^^^

[ratter]

well done for showing the results but unfortunately it's not quite as clear as you have shown.

Why were the test done using different ramp rates?

When testing product it is best to do several runs to get a baseline and use the average of the before against the average of the afters and immediately after the fitment.

Was the car tuned in closed loop boost control? this is going to have an affect on the output as the ecu will be keeping the boost to a similar level, even if the cooler flowed better or worse.

Was the spark and intake temps logged? This can give an indication on whether the cooler is actually working better at cooling rather than just air flow improvement

Was knock retard logged? If the air flow and cooling has changed there may be more spark and causing the knock sensors top do their job and tell the ecu to remove spark.

you at least know your car appears ok to use

[Ralph Wiggum]

^Oi! Stop making sense!

[Saski]

Ratter - the answer to your questions is yes. Some if the items I metioned came from the data which I was observing and which the tuner was happy to show me and explain after the runs, screen by screen.

Several back to back runs were conducted on both tests. Previous air temps with F6 and temps with the CAPA cooler recorded.

I simply wanted to show that not all cars will need retune depending on what mods they have. Im sure a bigger cooler may have changed things which would then require a retune.

For what I want, this cooler does the job and the consisgant cooler inlet temps confirm the increase was not due to flow. As mentioned the max recorded boost was 11.7psi and a retune is not mandatory at this time.