I'm putting in a built engine this summer and hope to hit 400+ hp with my GT3071 and water injection. Please, no "yah right" comments; the engine is sitting in my garage at this momment. Right now, I have the BEGI "type 3" intercooler which is (according to the BEGI website) rated for 300 hp.

Since I plan to run pretty high boost (20+ psi) at the top of the turbo's efficiency range, do I need to get a larger intercooler or will WI plus the medium size intercooler I currently have do the job well enough together? I would prefer to use the smallest intercooler I can get away with for the best response and efficiency. It would also be nice to not have to buy a new intercooler and redo my piping.

 

Considering that im making 300 or so whp with out any intercooler what so ever yeah i think you will be fine if you do it correctly.

 

Do the water injection right and the cooling will be more than adequate. I have a similar set-up using a BEGI MSM IC and aquamist WI and have very good (low) intake temps on boost (running 50/50 water/meth).

 

Let's be honest, here: You have a 3071. Looking to IC core size for response is like buying a pump-action 12-gauge and then complaining about the kick-back.

I plan to do the same thing, though. Mount a small intercooler out of the way to free up airflow to the radiator, and use water injection to keep intake temps down.

 

OK great, thanks. This is good news

 

Honestly if you have a bullet proof set-up you dont even need an intercooler, its just more un-needed pressure drop. I say keep the set-up you have and dont bother with a larger intercooler, its not going to benefit you in anyway