water sprays and intercoolers

Does anyone have any experience with adding water sprays to the intercoolers ?
Where is the best location for sprays ?

1. Spraying the IC from the outside
2. Before the IC internally
3. After the IC internally
or
4. At the inlet plenum with the fuel (if you can control the ECU) has to be
used 24/7.

Thanks
quo

 

[evelrod]

Stop by your local Subaru dealer and pick up the pamphlet on modifying the WRX for performance. A complete section on adding the mister spray system to the IC and some stuff on the bigger scoop air flow.
My ex crew chief just added the system to his WRX along with a new air intake system and computer control for boost. The "mister" was made from a windshield washer pump and commercially available 'mister' stuff from local hardware supply house. A micro switch under the throttle pedal activates the pump.
It works as designed whether that is of any value to a street machine is debatable IMO.

Rod

 

[evelrod]

Just for the fun of it, check out

thread108-30494


Rod

 

[quovadis]

Evelrod, thanks..
i will look into the subaru set up.
Actually the Audi rs4 is for the track, and not so much for the street.

thanks
quo

 

[tweakster]

Don't know if this helps but Elderbrock actually produced an electronically controlled water injection system in the early to mid 1990's that was pretty decent. It monitored throttle position, engine vacum and rpm and changed output accordingly. Elderbrock quit producing these it seems, as I haven't seen nor heard about one in years.

Not to worry though, as Arizona Mist (maker of the cool air outdoor misters you see at theme parks, outdoor cafe's and other places)have a 12 volt unit that can be fitted with various nozzel types and numbers for the desired effect. An enterprising indivudual should be able to build something similar to a nitrous setup but using water instead.

By the way, when dealing with water injection, pay particular attention to the particulate size and the amount injected into the engine (2, 3, or 4 nozzles?) as H20 injection can affect performance, tempature and torque differently. A little study can be very rewarding.

Good luck!

 

[andygold]

From everything I've read, you want the spray on the exterior of the intercooler, either from the top or bottom ,when using a top mount intercooler(TMIC).
adding water to the inside of the intercooler sounds more like water injection, not intercooler spray. Go to

http://www.i-club.com

and do a search on "intercooler water spray". You can also check out

http://www.autospeed.com

. Autospped has an extensive article on intercooler spraying. There is even a kit, with a logic circuit that maximizes water savings, while lowering intake air charge. You, only want to spray when you need it. This item learns how you drive, and sprays bjust before you go WOT, till after you let off the throttle. Remember that an intercooler is not just another radiator, it is also a heatsink, and should be cooled(sprayed)after your run is over. Water spray definitely works. Both of those links have actual dyno numbers of temp. drop, vs. hp increase. Intercooler Water spray can also lower EGTs.

 

[kimbo1]

I tried experimenting with this on the Dyno with two different customers cars, and sprays made no difference to an already well sized intercooler which will cool from about 120 degres to about 10 degrees celcius above ambient. Considering evaportaion rates and having to transfer enough heat throught the walls of the intercooler to evaporate water from the outside surface it doesn't sound that effective. Another 5 degree temp drop will give you about 1% power gain.

 

[evelrod]

I agree with you in principal, kimbo1. It would appear tha Subaru and others have a direct line to the aftermarket goldmine, eh? (If it is so great then why don't the FACTORY Subaru WRC cars use it?)


Rod