[JJ]

I just noticed if you hold down the intercooler spray button halfway continously, the spray will not stop till you release. Helpful for those of us that were wearing out the button and our finger before that important run or stoplight show..

 

[Tb311]

Hood-Scoop Screen Installed **pictures**

Yep thats a real good way to soak the ic before a hard run.

 

[bi11y]

is soaking the ic good for it?

 

[WRX_Mundi]

Soaking the IC should be fine -- think about driving through a rainstorm -- it's going to get thoroughly soaked, but this is normal driving conditions.

However, the benefit to an intercooler spray is evaporation, not the water itself. So for maximum efficacy, you wouldn't want it soaked, since then there is very little evaporation going on. Depends on the amount of time you're stopped and how long you're going to run I suppose.

 

[WRX_XB9R]

Track Days at The Glen

I ran an autoX this weekend. It was 95 outside and simply put a piece of wood slightly larger than a toothpick on the side of the switch after pressing it. It held on and continusouly ran for the entire run. When I would stop the IC would be about ambient temp and you can put your hand directly on it with no problems.

I did add dry ice directly on the IC from the scoop. I had broken it up to small pieces and tossed it in. I had no IC damage on the fins. It did seem to have a slight advantage in hp or just the spray.

 

[chawklit]

Excitement is SO cool!

So are we sure that the intercooler spray actually does something that realistically helps? Or is it just added fluff?

I mean, to me, it seems like a gimmick, albeit a neat one. The only thing I really want to do with it is to pull up to a stoplight and press the button so steam comes out of the scoop and the people next to me get a good scare! (Would that work?)

 

[WRX_XB9R]

No the steam would not work. Unless you have dry ice already packed in there. Then it rolls out like Old Faithful. :lol:

 

[Guest]

Oh it steams alright. I ran the car fairly hard this weekend and when I got back home I was letting the car cool down and gave it a few squirts. Steam did come out of the scoop, but not enought for people to notice, it was minimal but the driver can sure see it.

 

[4MLA1FN]

Any pinging in the "second batch" of STi's?

So are we sure that the intercooler spray actually does something that realistically helps? Or is it just added fluff?

there was a magazine writeup on the STi that found a small advantage to the spray. i can't remember where i read it (maybe it was from Guru's tuning thread on one of the wrx forums), but i'm sure someone else here can find it.

I mean, to me, it seems like a gimmick, albeit a neat one.

nah, i think it works when used in the *right* way and the right kinds of driving. it probably has nothing to offer for street use. but for the track, i'm certain there's a benefit. and we know that every sti owner will be headed to the track, so voila!, it's not a gimmick. the evo has it (and a better version since it has a "auto" setting). gimmicks don't tend to appear across manufacturers. my 2cents.

The only thing I really want to do with it is to pull up to a stoplight and press the button so steam comes out of the scoop and the people next to me get a good scare! (Would that work?)

yeah, the snorting bull effect; that would be cool. to get that much *visible* steam, you need enough water so it wets the engine. (i've done this when washing my car when the engine was hot.) maybe jj's trick would work.

 

[kengsta]

whats the point for the ic spray?

 

[WRX_XB9R]

To go faster.

 

[4MLA1FN]

whats the point for the ic spray?

it enhances the cooling of the intercooler though evaporative cooling. next time you're very hot, sit in front of a fan. you'll feel nice a cool. now, get a spray bottle and mist your face a *little*; not too much though. you'll feel 10 degrees cooler, if not cold. that's what ic spray does and how it works.

 

[murley]

Is it just me or does this topic NOT need 9000 posts and this many hours to figure out? Your car has a radior. It has fins. It has water. Water disipates heat by evaporating. Simple system.


The END!!!!

 

[4MLA1FN]

Is it just me or does this topic NOT need 9000 posts and this many hours to figure out?

from your answer, i think perhaps we do.

Your car has a radior. It has fins. It has water. Water disipates heat by evaporating. Simple system.

radiators do not dissipate heat by *evaporation*, unless they're leaking. radiators use conduction, just like the intercooler. but the use of the spray adds another mode of heat transfer not used on radiators.

 

[murley]

My custom Miata

Well, I was talking primarily about the evaporation that takes place inside of the radiator. Take your radiator cap off some time right after you get done driving for about 20 minutes and you'll see the steam I'm talking about....

 

[BHODGES3]

Got to put your eyeball down there close to the opening though....otherwise you might miss it. I have found that you can even feel it gently mist your face if you open it up as quick as you can and lean right over it!








Btw.... if you are on here because your parent or grandparent has an STI... This is a joke! Bouncing Baby Dragon will not be responsible for any damage caused to you if you are stupid enough to do this.

 

[Guest]

After my 120 mile run tonight the first I'll do when I get home is open that radiator cap and have a real close up look at it to make sure there is steam. :lol:

 

[ingraham]

BHodge I can tell you from my time in a burn unit. There is only 2 reasons people get sent to burn units. One is the evaluation of the inside of a radiator by your method, and the second is the exploding meth lab. Both require lots of brains. Only one requires a chemist

 

[BHODGES3]

Interesting, if I had any money left after my STI purchase I would have bet that fires would be one reason.

Of course you do live in TN, so the meth-lab thing would be more common.

Btw, I am in Memphis about every third weekend or so. If you ever happen to be on that side of the state for a weekend, pm me ahead of time. If I am going to be there we can go ride around in the STI.

 

[bigman32]

I don't know, I think the I/C spray is more a gimmick than anything else. Granted, it's pretty cool, but I haven't noticed any increase in performance after using it. Still, it's cool to hit the button and hear it spray for ~2 seconds!