Ecoboost PSA: Intercooler/Lower Bumper Grille
#22
Do what I did and at least call a tech that works on subaru or Audi or anything turbocharged. I also asked an old coworker who is a mechanical engineer.
Here's the point; anything in front of the intercooler is more than nothing in front of the intercooler. I'm sure someone can come up with one or two that don't, virtually all turbocharged cars have exposed, unobstructed intercoolers.
I have an EB, and I love it, as I'm sure most others love theirs. If you are confident enough in Ford to build a truck that you are willing to pay $35-55k for, at least be confident that they know what they are doing. It took some effort to create a bumper that shifted the license plate, so it's not that they just forgot to cover the intercooler. Think about it. And enjoy your EB, whatever you decide to do.
Here's the point; anything in front of the intercooler is more than nothing in front of the intercooler. I'm sure someone can come up with one or two that don't, virtually all turbocharged cars have exposed, unobstructed intercoolers.
I have an EB, and I love it, as I'm sure most others love theirs. If you are confident enough in Ford to build a truck that you are willing to pay $35-55k for, at least be confident that they know what they are doing. It took some effort to create a bumper that shifted the license plate, so it's not that they just forgot to cover the intercooler. Think about it. And enjoy your EB, whatever you decide to do.
#23
don't know if anyone mention this but ford even has a different license plate bracket for the eco boost to avoid covering that area.... i work at a dealership and we tell people to never put anything there EVER
#24
But the Subaru tech said
#25
Senior Member
If this grill I installed is obstructing air, where is it going?
So, I went out and looked at my truck. I do not think this grill will have any adverse affect on the ability of the IC to function and in turn affect engine performance.
Why?
Well, the grill itself is recessed into the opening. It sits behind the LP bracket and the dummy plastic on the passenger side, additionally it sits behind the bumper fascia as well.
This pic might help
So, for this to adversely affect air flow it would have to direct it elsewhere, away from the IC. With its location being recessed, I do not see how this would be possible. It would have to push air back out, against the force (speed) and then around, above or below the bumper.
Otherwise the air is merely flowing around the grill and toward the IC as it should and would otherwise if the grill were not there.
Additionally, although I have not done the math, but I do not feel as though there is enough metal in front of the intercooler to make a difference if it were displacing the air to another location. If this were the case you could even make the argument that the grill is protecting the fins from being compromised (rocks, debris, etc). How many miles of driving would it take to fold over enough IC fins to equal or eventually exceed the equivalent square inches of metal in the grill? Guess it boils down to driving habits and luck.
In conclusion, I appreciate your thoughts, concerns and research. However I do not feel the grill is causing harm to my truck. If at any time I do suspect otherwise I will remove it and report back.
#26
Pretty sure the GN when first introduced had zero intercoolers not saying it's right but can't see a grill dramatically effecting The EB Plus on my Subaru sti I had to add a timer to the ignition to help cooling. Ford supposedly has worked around this being water cooled verse oil.
I'm a bit drunk so ideally don't know what I'm saying. But for a fact I know this intercoe on the ford gets damaged. Over 8K before adding a grill the intercoolers has taken a beating especially to the tubing. Prior to seeing this I was optimistic but now I'm convinced it's a benefit.
I'm a bit drunk so ideally don't know what I'm saying. But for a fact I know this intercoe on the ford gets damaged. Over 8K before adding a grill the intercoolers has taken a beating especially to the tubing. Prior to seeing this I was optimistic but now I'm convinced it's a benefit.
#27
Senior Member
Do what I did and at least call a tech that works on subaru or Audi or anything turbocharged. I also asked an old coworker who is a mechanical engineer.
Here's the point; anything in front of the intercooler is more than nothing in front of the intercooler. I'm sure someone can come up with one or two that don't, virtually all turbocharged cars have exposed, unobstructed intercoolers.
I have an EB, and I love it, as I'm sure most others love theirs. If you are confident enough in Ford to build a truck that you are willing to pay $35-55k for, at least be confident that they know what they are doing. It took some effort to create a bumper that shifted the license plate, so it's not that they just forgot to cover the intercooler. Think about it. And enjoy your EB, whatever you decide to do.
Here's the point; anything in front of the intercooler is more than nothing in front of the intercooler. I'm sure someone can come up with one or two that don't, virtually all turbocharged cars have exposed, unobstructed intercoolers.
I have an EB, and I love it, as I'm sure most others love theirs. If you are confident enough in Ford to build a truck that you are willing to pay $35-55k for, at least be confident that they know what they are doing. It took some effort to create a bumper that shifted the license plate, so it's not that they just forgot to cover the intercooler. Think about it. And enjoy your EB, whatever you decide to do.
Some effort to shift the plate???? It's the same bumper, they just made a liscence plate bracket that mounts where the rubber bumper pad mounted and walla, an EB license plate! lol
Using your line of thinking, we should also remove the grill so the radiator gets all the air possible without any obstruction! lol
The Subaru and Audi guys are performance orineted and will most likely run their cars to the max as that is what they are designed to do, Now the F150 is a truck and unless you are towing full time and spooling the turbos all the time, the minimal blockage will be fine.
#28
When you can come back with proof as I have, then we'll talk. I didn't say it made NO difference if you completely block it off, but putting a grill there will make no difference. How do you think people at the drag strip get off the line with a FMIC ? There is no air flowing over it at idle yet IAT's remain ambient.
I don't need to prove anything to you. You already proved that you don't know **** by saying that intercoolers work by "uncompressing" the charge. Kinda defeats the point of a turbo, huh?
Last edited by TonyB.; 09-16-2011 at 09:02 PM.
#29
#30
Originally Posted by z06
If the temps are the same with or without the grill then its not adversly affecting it. My Buick GN's didn't have exposed intercoolers. Not hardly any of the new passenger cars have exposed intercoolers. Keep in mind that that hole has been open in the bumper for years regardless of the engine installed in the truck. I totally agree that a tag over the opening is not a good idea even though quite a few Ford dealers havn"t figured that out yet, Still asking where you got the info about reduced airflow over 70?