Hello all,

I have a 62mm turbo car that competes in 1/4 mile drag racing.

I wanted to get opinions on whether it would be more beneficial leaving the front end closed to prevent air from getting into the engine bay or open the front end to cool down the intercooler?

So far all the passes I have made have been with a closed 3 piece front end. Car traps between 153-156 mph. My datalogs show that I start the run at 100 deg IAT and by the finish line I am at 148 deg IAT.

My reasoning behind keeping it closed so far, is the fact i am keeping the air out of the engine bay is helping me more than the cooling i will get in the 9 sec's the car is going down the track.

Any opinions and experiences will help.

Thanks in advance!

 

How is the intercooler supposed to do its job without any air passing through it?

 

@testify - I understand that with the front end closed the intercooler is doing nothing as far as cooling the charge air down. As i was asking above, I wanted to get opinion as to what is more beneficial, keeping the front end closed for aerodynamics or opening it up for cooling.

 

Well the white Locash Integra with a closed front end and a 62mm turbo runs mid 8's

 

Why not just take it to the strip and test it?

 

Arent the cars running closed front ends running an air to water intercooler? They can just use ice and water instead of relying on air right? Dont think it will work with air to air.

 

The white LoCash integra has an air to air intercooler which is required in the FIS class. They trap high 160mph low 170mph

 

There are a plethora of people using a closed front with an air-air intercooler. It apparently has not made any difference on their performance. When you have a good core, the air will get cooled down regardless.