intercooler insulation
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
intercooler insulation
I have read about people taking the insulation off the intercooler pipe in order to get a better turbo sound. Does this do anything to the performance of the truck. I would think that this would raise the tempeture of that pipe and have some of a negative effect on performance. If there is no negative effect on performance i would like to do this for the sound. I tried to search but found nothing stating weather it was good or bad for performance just that it sounded better. thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
From: Elverson, PA
The insulation you take off - is on the hot-side pipe, before it goes through the intercooler - so you're not going to hurt the temps any. AND from what I have read - it is to cut the sound - not the temps.
I say go for it!!
I say go for it!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
actually if you think about it, the insulation holds the heat IN the pipe, rather than letting the air pass over it and marginally help cool it. it's just to dampen the sound. take it off, youll love it!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Mountain Country
Any chance the heat needs to be held in that pipe, to protect other components around it? Like the air intake or other items? Just for the sake of discussion as I am curious, before I shred mine too......
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
I don't think so. Wasn't used in previous models and is definately not used on aftermarket performance tubes which is a big indicator. I would have to believe it's there to silence the turbo whistle and the only thing that would do had to be heat resistant. It does get hot but nothing like the exhaust manifold down there. JMO.
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
That wrap looks like hell too! Check out my gloss black tubes in my gallery. I need a few more good side angle pictures but you'll get the idea.
Nut
Nut
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Mountain Country
So I have mine apart now now, for those whom have done this mod, what did you use to get the remaining stick fibreglass crap off the intercooler pipe? Alcohol? Acetone? Thanks for any immediate help! 
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 3
Once you've got the foil part off, spray it down with a lot of WD-40 and/or brake parts cleaner, and use a wire wheel on a drill to get it all off. I also used some SOS pads to help buff it a little, and some Simple Green at the end to spruce it up.
As to the theory of the foil wrap, it was added on 99.5+ models just for sound. Same reason for the newer wheel which replaced the early 99 wheel (now called the whicked wheel, sold in the aftermarket). Early 99s had the wicked wheel and no insulation, in general.
Also, the air that goes through that pipe is much hotter than the air outside it in the engine compartment (which never gets much more than 15 degrees over external ambient temps). The foil doesn't serve to keep heat out of the pipe at all, and would only trap heat IN it, if anything (which goes against the purpose of the charge air cooler). Take that crap off the pipe!
Not only does it sound better, but it looks better, too:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...86590301OtHfpL
As to the theory of the foil wrap, it was added on 99.5+ models just for sound. Same reason for the newer wheel which replaced the early 99 wheel (now called the whicked wheel, sold in the aftermarket). Early 99s had the wicked wheel and no insulation, in general.
Also, the air that goes through that pipe is much hotter than the air outside it in the engine compartment (which never gets much more than 15 degrees over external ambient temps). The foil doesn't serve to keep heat out of the pipe at all, and would only trap heat IN it, if anything (which goes against the purpose of the charge air cooler). Take that crap off the pipe!
Not only does it sound better, but it looks better, too:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...86590301OtHfpL
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,221
Likes: 3
