Differences between...

[theduck]

What are the actual differences between an intercooler and a radiator?

Yes I know they do completely different jobs etc, but what are the structural and design differences? Could one be used to do the job of other if installed correctly?

Just curiousity btw, am on a learning drive at the moment

 

[theduck]

Is this really that dumb a question??

 

[Gaz_]

Intercoolers have big(er) end tanks and inlet pipes. The cores must be bigger in an intercoolder too imo! Also intercoolers have to stand more pressure? (boost)

 

[maynard]

intercoolers come on turbocharged cars and supercharged ones too.

quick google search reveals...

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/79568

 

[theduck]

Cheers Gaz, so very similar, but different fixings and tollerances.

I know WHAT an intercooler is Maynard, I wondered what structural differences there were if any.

 

[Fred@BTM]

put 1 bar of boost through a radiator and let me know what happens

 

[theduck]

I'll make you a video

Slightly off topic, but I think you'd like the book I'm reading Fred, lol.

 

[Dave..]

Radiator tends to have a lot bigger surface area as well?

Basically, one cools air, the other cools liquid

 

[rory182]

Throw an oil cooler in there for banter:

any advance on heater matrix?

 

[theduck]

As I already said right there in the original post, I understand WHAT THEY BOTH DO, I also understand how they do it, I also am pretty familiar with the basics of the construction of them both, what I wanted to know was what the structural and design differences are, which Gaz explained and Fred, I think, sum'd up pretty well.

Thank you for the serious answers guys.