Author Topic: How much boost OK for plastic end tanked intercooler?  (Read 4502 times)

February 01, 2006, 01:40:52 pm

fspGTD

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How much boost OK for plastic end tanked intercooler?
« on: February 01, 2006, 01:40:52 pm »


I've got a plastic end-tanked Audi5K intercooler in my GTD, and I'm curious how much boost pressure it can hold.  I've done 14 psi on it before without problems, but soon plan on running more.

Anyone have a plastic end tanked intercooler burst and if so, how much pressure did it hold?

Anyone successfully reinforce a plastic end tanked intercooler to allow it to hold more pressure? :twisted:  Pics/info?  Thanks!
Jake Russell
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Reply #1February 01, 2006, 02:06:23 pm

935racer

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How much boost OK for plastic end tanked intercooler?
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2006, 02:06:23 pm »
a few peopel I know including myself had a couple plastic audi 5000IC's back in the day, If i remember correctly they like to blow up around 18-24 psi.

Reply #2February 01, 2006, 02:32:29 pm

vwmike

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How much boost OK for plastic end tanked intercooler?
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2006, 02:32:29 pm »
18-24 is the range where the volvo ones pop too.

Reply #3February 01, 2006, 05:06:59 pm

Otis2

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How much boost OK for plastic end tanked intercooler?
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2006, 05:06:59 pm »
I believe some of the Volvo guys set up zap straps horizontally around the IC to hold the tanks in tight.  

Not sure if it helps a lot, or is more of a psychological advantage.

Reply #4February 01, 2006, 07:52:11 pm

sethyboy85

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How much boost OK for plastic end tanked intercooler?
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2006, 07:52:11 pm »
rachet tie downs or bungee cords around the endtanks will keep them on well above 20psi...

Have run a volvo in our mini with 14psi like that and never had a leak, several other guys have run more boost same deal with no problems
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Reply #5February 01, 2006, 07:57:45 pm

malone

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How much boost OK for plastic end tanked intercooler?
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2006, 07:57:45 pm »
Bungee cords, awesome :lol:
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Reply #6February 01, 2006, 08:02:42 pm

dieselpower

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How much boost OK for plastic end tanked intercooler?
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2006, 08:02:42 pm »
i had an intercooler in my car that is pretty much the exact same as yours. i plugged up the bottom inlet and drilled a hole and put in a new pipe for another inlet but i dont think i have done as good of a job as you did....anyway i disconected my turbo and was seeing how much boost i could get and it went to somewhere around 25 then the inlet that i put in it blew out of the intercooler...aftrer i fixed it i only ran about 20ish max. but it is still together.

hope that helps

mark
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because real cars don't have sparkplugs

Reply #7February 01, 2006, 08:03:17 pm

Master ACiD

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How much boost OK for plastic end tanked intercooler?
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2006, 08:03:17 pm »
got a friend with a saab and he runs 25psi on really high octane gas. he is using the oem 900 intercooler and has no problems.

could a vw diesel with these puny little turbos be running out of the efficency zone and creating a large ammount of heat? maybe its the heat thats killing intercoolers on vw's. just a wild guess.

Reply #8February 02, 2006, 08:22:49 am

X@V

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How much boost OK for plastic end tanked intercooler?
« Reply #8 on: February 02, 2006, 08:22:49 am »
I was running 25-26PSI with my Audi 1.8T intercooler during 2 months (wastegate was stuck) and I was blewing tubes but the intercooler is still ok!  :wink:
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Reply #9February 02, 2006, 08:37:44 am

RabbitGTDguy

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How much boost OK for plastic end tanked intercooler?
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2006, 08:37:44 am »
Jake, from what I have heard and seen across the board on the Audi 5k units is they are limited to about 20psi before they start to go... haven't seen one last past 25psi with the stock setup. Somewhere, a while back there was a guy doing audi 5k cores and putting aluminum tanks on them....he was even selling the tanks outright as well. I'll have to see if I can dig up that link...

Joe
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Reply #10February 03, 2006, 11:42:14 pm

Cheesetoast

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How much boost OK for plastic end tanked intercooler?
« Reply #10 on: February 03, 2006, 11:42:14 pm »
any idea what my stock mk3 TDI intercooler is good for? been running it on 20 psi for a while.