Cold Air Intake and Intercooler

[2ndGenTeg]

Do not confuse an intercooler wih that "Front Mount Intake" you may have seen ads for (you know, the one with the two snow foxes doing the hokey pokey). An intake breathes air into the system. An intercooler cools charge air after being compressed (and heated) in a turbocharger.

In most of our cars, the intercooler plumbing goes through the fender well where a cold air intake usually passes to draw in the cooler air.

Even if you could reroute the intercooler plumbing, a cold air intake would be worthless. The charge air would then pass through the turbo, instantly being heated. Ever notice the location of the filter on turbocharged cars? It's right next to the block. Not great drawing in cool air, but it's great for flow. After exiting the turbo, the air then passes through the intercooler, resulting in a cooler charge air.

The intercooler is completely sealed. The air is already compressed by the time it hits the intercooler. If it wasn't sealed, how would you make any boost?

Making sense?