Does painting an intercooler decrease it's thermal efficiency? I'm looking to paint my intercooler flat black because I don't want it seen but don't want to decrease it's ability to cool the intake air.

 

I know someone who painted theirs w/ high temp paint and they still run 11s. So I guess its ok.

Just don't block the airways between the fins.

 

Painting it doesnt' do anything except reduce the thermal effectiveness....

There is a company out there that does special thermal coatings, and flat black is one of their color options...

Swain Tech in NY

 

Does that mean that there less cooling of the air?

 

Wouldn't the black heat up faster on hot days? Wouldn't be the same theory as why they don't paint engine blocks black?

 

"they dont paint engine blocks black",says who,seen lots of OEM engines painted black from factory.it dont make a difference what color an engine is cause direct sunlight aint hitting it.


[Modified by D-Man, 3:59 AM 12/3/2001]


[Modified by D-Man, 4:01 AM 12/3/2001]

 

Mmm.. I happen to like the silver/polished look, everyone knows what's up.

 

Everyone including the cops. hehe

 

LOL, it's just my radiator, not like it's illegal or anything, they can lick my *****.

 

I painted mine black. Check it out...
http://www.picturetrail.com\gsr_dude

 

Yes it does have negative effects. If you still want to do it, use a flat black, high temp is not necessary. Just spray it lightly on the front to hide it, this will do what you want (hide it), and hurt you as little as possible.

 

**** GSR_Dude, that looks awesome. What did you use? Just black spray paint?

 

sinitron: no, black only gets hotter because it absorbs light. If you have it mounded on the roof of the car then you might not want it black.

 

Thanks. Used some High temp VHT paint. Same crap i used on my manifold and downpipe. Not sure if that was the right paint, but it what i had and it was only a very LIGHT coat.


[Modified by GSR_Dude, 5:40 AM 12/3/2001]

 

No problem cloging up the fins?

 

Nah...the key is LIGHTLY spray it, just enough to coat the front fins.

 

swain tech's coating actually is supposed to improve it's effeciency. dont ask me how, because i dont know.
but thats where my i/c is going. . . it's about 120 bucks for the general, average sized i/c.

 

Name one. Even better show me a factory pic. TIA

 

i know it's not an oem engine, but it's a crate, new engine, so thats close.

here's a ford, just for good measure:

 

ummmmmm close but no cigar.

 

close but no cigar?

what, i'm mistaken? they arent actually painted black?

good lord, i'd better call the optometrist.

 

I think it goes either way, just depends on what kind of paint, and how many coats goes on.

 

As you said it's not OEM. Do you think those Performer engines actually get shipped black, or maybe they are painted that way for the catalog to show the contrast of the polished aluminum?

 

they're shipped that way. i've put two [new, from GM, not a performer engine] crate motors into camaros, and they both came painted dark blue. I've also seen crate motors come painted bright orange, red, blue, light blue and so on. i am also going to go out on a limb here and say that the paints they use aren't just some vht spray can stuff, i'm sure it's got some sort of purpose.

 

I painted mine black, here the pic......
http://www.geocities.com/speed_phrea...frontshot2.bmp


[Modified by Speed PHreak, 3:21 PM 12/3/2001]