Intercooler Water Pump Flow Data
A Comprehensive Test
A Comprehensive Test
Intro
Alrighty ladies and germs. I think it’s safe to say this is the most comprehensive IC water pump test ever done for the GT500.
It’s pretty clear that there is no such thing as “The Best Pump”. What you want to use will depend on your specific combo, your future plans and your budget.
After all of this testing, the information I got from a few thermal engineers combined with how I am seeing certain flow numbers perform in real life I’m confident in saying that you can’t have too much water flow. I’ve been testing my blown S550 at 19gpm a lot this season. It works incredibly well, way better than anything I have ever seen. But it is by no means anywhere near enough to absorb/reject all the heat coming from the blower. So 19gpm is still not getting to the “holy grail” which is a zero IAT rise under boost. So if you’re thinking “10gpm is good enough for me”. Think again. You want everything you can get. End of story.
Don’t forget water flow is paramount. You can have the largest heat exchanger in the world. But if you don’t move the water in/out of the IC fast enough you will have high IAT’s. It’s as simple as that.
Stewart, who makes the pump that Lingenfelter hot rods and then sells under their own name is now hot rodding the pumps and selling them themselves (I’m sure Lingenfelter is thrilled). For, get this…..$100 less ($450).
The Data
I didn’t include all of my test data, just the stuff that is relevant to you the guy on the ground. I have a lot more data on different combo’s, line sizes, etc. But none of that is really applicable to you. It just gives me a better idea of what works and doesn’t when looking at the big picture. It also allows me to make educated guesses about other combo’s not tested.
I have two main portions of test data. The GT500 IC/.75” line size date and the 1.25” IC/line size data. I included the latter because at some point you will have the option of “gauging up” to 1.25”.
The Point???
What is my point? It’s this. Your goals should determine what pump you use. For example:
If you are currently running your blower with an as delivered IC system you will want to upgrade some or all of it at some point. GT500’s don’t do a very good job with IAT’s out of the box (they get a lot better in 13’). How you upgrade it and what components you chose are going to be based on where you want to end up.
If you simply want to put a off the shelf big HE and pump on then call it quits your best bet is to run a 13’ GT500 HE and a 13’ GT500 water pump. That will get you a really big HE and the most cost effective pump for that combo. It will work much better than what you have and it will not break the bank. But, if you think you will ever upgrade it’s not the best choice.
If you go with the 13’ GT500 HE (or any other for that matter) there is an argument for using the Stewart pump. For starters it will push more water (about 9%). Secondly if in the future you upgrade to a 1.25” system the Stewart pump will “step up” to the task where the 13’ GT500 pump won’t. The Stewart pump/1.25” system on your stock GT500 IC will get you 12.75gpm. The 13’ GT500 pump/1.25” system will get you about 9gpm (I tested this). If you think you will ever “go big” the Stewart pump is the way to go. It only costs $150 more and it will “grow”. And you will always be able to sell the 13’ GT500 HE for you what you paid for it when you go big.
If you are going to step up to a 1.25” IC and IC system then the Stewart is really the way to go. You will see 27gpm!
Hope this helps you guys out.
Key
-Stewart = Stewart/Lingenfelter
-Turbo Pump = Davies Craig EWP150
-55gpm = Meziere 55gpm
-20gpm = Meziere 20gpm
-13' GT500 Pump = 13' GT500 Pump
-Bosch = 07-12' GT500 and just about every blower kit out there's pump
-Bosch/Bosch outlet to inlet = Two Bosch pump run in series. One directly feeding the next.
-Bosch/Bosch 180deg = Two Bosch pumps run in series on opposite sides of the system (not feeding each other). One before IC, one before HE.
>>>Coming Soon<<<
Mathematical Modeling Showing The Effects Of Water Flow On Intake Air Temps
Mathematical Modeling Showing The Effects Of Water Flow On Intake Air Temps
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