[bengascoyne]

Hi guys,

just a quick Q, someone has mentioned to me that their fuel economy has increased since fitting an aftermarket intercooler (unsure of brand), and they have seen around +5mpgs on average since doing so??

I know nothing about intercoolers, but fuel economy I know about as my wallet feels it quite often, is there any truth / reasoning behing this??

would there be a logical explanation as to support this?? if so I may consider getting one!!

thanks guys

Ben

[Aberdeen Al]

I fitted my intercooler long before I did any of my other mods and I didn't see an improvement in mpg - although that's not to say that it's not possible.

[Nath316]

mmm intercooler is used to cool air and therefore improve power - very basic definition

so more power - how the hell do yu get better MPG?

[alski]

i think it works by more cooler [dense] air giving a bigger bang for a given amount of fuel
and so better mpg, i did notice an effect when 1st fitted, but not so much now?
perhaps i need an oil catch can after all?

[Aberdeen Al]

Quote: Originally Posted by alski (original)

i think it works by more cooler [dense] air giving a bigger bang for a given amount of fuel
and so better mpg, i did notice an effect when 1st fitted, but not so much now?
perhaps i need an oil catch can after all?

I'd recommend an oil catch can - when I took off my std intercooler and noticed the oil dripping out of it I refrained from fitting my new GRS item until I ordered the catch can.

[alski]

Quote: Originally Posted by alski (original)

i think it works by more cooler [dense] air giving a bigger bang for a given amount of fuel
and so better mpg, i did notice an effect when 1st fitted, but not so much now?
perhaps i need an oil catch can after all?

forgot to mention gtt 220 1st, then intercooler 6 months later,
have also changed to fatter, lower [smaller diam] tyres, so loosing some mpg on those

[MINI-Morgan]

Yep... cools air more effectively and so makes the air more dense so great oxygen content.

Intercoolers get lined with oil and so arent as effective over time. Oil catch cans can help but not stop....

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by alski (original)

forgot to mention gtt 220 1st, then intercooler 6 months later,
have also changed to fatter, lower [smaller diam] tyres, so loosing some mpg on those

I have noticed the same! Wider, smaller diameter and softer compound tyres so mine has dropped a good 3-4mpg on the motorway.

[Ant FR]

yeah but with the intercooler being so easy to access, its not hard to pop off annually to clean it out.

I have my GTT intercooler on its way thanks neilobe, so will be able to comment on the difference. Fingers crossed i see the difference in performance i am expecting in the hot weather. But i class the intercooler more as a safety precaution rather than an out an out performance mod, any gains i get are welcomed, but not banking on it.

[bengascoyne]

so guessing maybe that as its getting more cooler, denser air into the engine, makes better combustion, makes slightly more efficient? therefore slightly more mpg's?? Is it worth doing the intercooler as a mod, 1) to aid the economy ever so slightly and 2) for some slight performance gains??

also how do tyres affect fuel economy, not heard that before?

[Ant FR]

Rolling resistance, simple physics.

More friction, more energy sapped from rotating ing wheel, thus more energy required to turn it. In laymans terms.

However tread pattern may have more effect than the actual aize. Thats why cars such as the bluemotion passatt have specially designed treads that increase fuel economy.

could go on for years. but simple test, get your little finger and push it across your desk, now do the same with your thumb, and you will feel the difference, larger area more friction, more energy required.

[bengascoyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ant FR (original)

Rolling resistance, simple physics.

More friction, more energy sapped from rotating ing wheel, thus more energy required to turn it. In laymans terms.

However tread pattern may have more effect than the actual aize. Thats why cars such as the bluemotion passatt have specially designed treads that increase fuel economy.

could go on for years. but simple test, get your little finger and push it across your desk, now do the same with your thumb, and you will feel the difference, larger area more friction, more energy required.

So in essence, when am changing my tyres (which need doing soon) I need to make sure am getting tyres of similiar width to try and keep any changes to a minimal, which am assuming they would be anyway, even in extreme cirumstances.

[bengascoyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by bengascoyne (original)

so guessing maybe that as its getting more cooler, denser air into the engine, makes better combustion, makes slightly more efficient? therefore slightly more mpg's?? Is it worth doing the intercooler as a mod, 1) to aid the economy ever so slightly and 2) for some slight performance gains?

is this roughly correct?? cheers folks

[roland2003]

Hi Guys, although I dont measure fuel economy very often, we're always interested to here feedback from customers who do.
We just got an e-mail this morning from a customer who was in yesterday. On his trip from Germany to UK he achieved 7.9L per 100km......On the return trip (down to Italy) hes now only using 6.9L per 100km.
This a fair old improvement, and as both trips are over a long distance the accuracy should be pretty good. So looks like a good intercooler (GTT) may be improving fuel consumpsion.
The mods completed to the JCW210 were....
GTT 16 tube intercooler & Snoot Boots
GTT + 3% Crank Pulley
GTT Optimised Bypass Valve (didnt require much adjustment as it happens)
Best Regards Roland GTT

[Minipnut]

damn thats good roland, no mods i avg 6.5-6.7 L/100kms

[Ant FR]

well i fitted my GTT intercooler today, so should be able to commetn on any changes i notice over he next few weeks.

Although i still think the Bonnett scoop need to be modded as not happy the right amount of air is getting to the intercooler!! I think i need a large scoop

[uncle albert]

My GRS-equipped MCS seems to be averaging 31mpg at the mo, according to the OBC.

James