http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subaru-Impreza-Legacy-STI-Water-Intercooler-/130657372673

Anybody using this sort of thing or know what car its off?

A 5 minute google seems to suggest water intercooling is more complex but can have its advantages over air?
I have no need to replace my cooler but curious as i have not seen a part like this before.

 

Basically, a pump (usually electric) circulates water around the 'chargecooler' as it is sometimes called and through an additional radiator at the front of the car. When space is limited, a chargecooler can maintain a more constant charge temperature than an air-to-air intercooler.

These were fitted to the early Legacy Turbos as far as I am aware. I ran a tuning business where we used up to around 19/20 psi of boost pressure with a chargecooler so they must be fairly efficient. However, hoses and an additional radiator and pump is required as well as the chargecooler.

 

I honestly wouldn't go there. The availablity of a front mount intercooler is the best solution.
Just one reason is the fail safe nature of air/air intercooling. The only possible failure, assuming the intercooler is adequate, is a leak of some kind, which would merely reduce boost. Virtually any failure of a charge cooler system would result in runaway charge temps.

 

Yeah agree it looks complex. I have heard the term chargecooler but never really knew it refered to that part or the water to air system. Thanks

 

I believe Pace did a very effective charge cooler but it was hellish expensive.

 

As did TSL (Or maybe it was a re-badged Pace?)

I had a chargecooler system on a turbo converted Mondeo 2ltr (Power Engineering) Very efficient but more to go wrong with water rad, 2-speed pump and boost controlled switch etc.

JohnD

 

As said, very efficient if done right but the air to air is so much simpler/ cheaper/ and more reliable than chargecoolers .... its a no brainer.

Veyrons are chargecooled!