One for all you derv lovers.

[toseland]

Potentially, i think, with a little planning you could use this to MAXIMISE the efficiency of the intercooler..

i see the theory behind it, the way i look at it.. when stationary the black colour will will increase the radiative cooling, when moving there is the potential that the black paint will insulate the fins enough to negatively impact the convective cooling ability.

so it seems to me that...

1. if you paint areas without positive air flow (ie sides, ends, edges) of the intercooler black it will assist in radiating heat away from the intercooler from these parts more effectively

2. if you leave the fins untouched the forced convection to the air will be sufficiently unhindered/unchanged..

overall you have an intercooler core that is just as efficient as it was before you did any painting.. but you now have parts that were not as efficient potentially (lack of airflow, convection was poorer there etc) that are potentially MORE efficient due to the addition of the black paint. (a thin layer of black, matte paint), which means the intercooler may be a little more efficient overall.

obviously the difference is going to be small. but the potential is there, and the larger the intercooler the larger the potential benefit of this..


It does beg the question though, what about things like intercooler piping/high pressure piping around the engine bay, reflective side to reflect engine heat (or heat shields) back to hotter parts of the engine, Matte black side to aid cooling within the lines prior and even after the intercooler...