What is air to air intercoolers?

Air to air intercoolers are devices used to cool the intake air in turbocharged or supercharged internal combustion engines. The purpose of an intercooler is to increase the power output of an engine by decreasing the temperature of the air ingested into the engine.

Air to air intercoolers work by using the ambient air that surrounds the vehicle to cool down the compressed air. The compressed air is passed through a heat exchanger, almost always located in front of the radiator, where the ambient air passes over the heat exchanger to absorb the heat from the compressed air. The cooled air is then channeled into the engine, maintaining optimum air density, and allowing for more fuel to be burned, yielding more power.

Air to air intercoolers have the advantage of simplicity and low maintenance. They do not require any additional equipment such as pumps or water tanks to function. Furthermore, as they use the ambient air to cool down the compressed air they have an effectively unlimited supply of cooling.

Air to air intercoolers are commonly used in high-performance cars and trucks as well as in racing applications. They are also used in some marine and aviation applications. Overall, air to air intercoolers help to improve the efficiency and power of engines, making them a popular choice for engine tuning and performance upgrades.