Hi, I just bought a 1995 850 Turbo and I'm reading about modifications. Here's my question: If cooler intake air is good, what if you were to run the air through an air conditioner evaporator rather than an intercooler.

Any difference, or too much trouble for the gain if any?

Thanks

 

There would be very little difference. A LOT more air is going through your engine than through your A/C system. You'd need an A/C unit sized for a house for it to make a difference. However, an intercooler that isn't sandwiched between the radiator and condenser DOES help. That's why folks do front mount intercoolers. Also, having a water spray system on the intercooler can help- often racers do this.

 

Water, nitrous oxide spray, etc. if i ever mess with nitrous, it will be for spraying ON the intercooler, not in the engine. Heck you could probably use just about any compressed gas.

 

Plus, having such a huge A/C system for such a purpose would sap a LOT of power away from the engine. In fact, a lot more than you would gain from the cooler air. It would be a big waste.

 

Thanks for replying. I wasn't thinking about getting the air really cold like in a cabin A/C...maybe just a few degrees cooler than ambient. Something that will last longer than a bottle of nitrous or water.