Water to Air Intercoolers

[Parmas]

I found this type of intecooler on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CHARGE-COOLER-WATER-AIR-TURBO-ALLOY-INTERCOOLER-/230560652265?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35ae7c5be9 for £100.

I never had experience with these type of intercooler but they look teasing...

Please comment as I am really interested what the experts say on this?

[Tamago]

you'll need a water pump to recirculate and "radiator" (also known as a heat exchanger) mounted up front to cool the water down. the Mid engine guys use them because they're much more consistent than an air/air, and are more compact in tight engine bays. i don't think it'd be very advantageous on a front engined car, since you have the advantage of airflow already.

[Scubaru Steve]

i would recommend staying air to air.
i debated going water to air on my wrx but i decided against it.
it adds alot of extra weight of the air to air, more complicated, you need a pump, temp sensors to run fans, you need a decent size rad to cool down the water. an overflow tank for when the system heats up and pressurizes. and if it heat soaks, you need to cool the whole system. the added benefit is alot shorter intake track, and if done properly it can be good.

that's my opinion.

if you do plan on venturing this route these guys have everything you need to do it.
www.siliconeintakes.com (http://www.siliconeintakes.com)

[turboecho2005]

I also recommend an Air to Air. Just for the simplicity and ease to work with. Last thing you want to be doing is troubleshooting coolant lines, pump, heat exchangers...

[Parmas]

I got the idea... I am not ready for these problems.....

I am scraping the idea.

Thanks for the comments

[pimp my yaris]

I was always of the understanding that air to air intercoolers are the most efficient.

[cali yaris]

IF you're getting the good intake temps you want when you tune, there is no need to make a change.

I have a pretty small intercooler, and my tuner is very happy with the set up. I know he would suggest a change if he thought I could get a better result.

[xnamerxx]

The thermal capacity for air to water is much greater than that of air to air. Air to Air systems are used for cost and complexity reasons vs air to water. For simplicity sake I would go air to air and be done with it but both systems have advantages.
The one reason I don't like fmic is that they add lots and lots of piping to the system and for a turbo/centri supercharger that means lots and lots of volume of space to to fill which in turn either drops boost # or increases turbo lag as well as engine response lag depending on where the maf is placed.

With the yaris having small engine bay im sure either system will work fine.