What are the benefits of using a water to air intercooler as opposed to a front mount intercooler?
There are several benefits to using a water to air intercooler over a front mount, or air to air intercooler. First, as the turbocharger begins to spool, there is a lot less volume of air that needs to be compressed in the charge pipes before actual boost is made, thus a water to air intercooler system will spool up the turbo much faster, and takes up less room. Second, water to air intercoolers work at a higher efficency range; heat is transfered out of water much easier than it is transfered to air, meaning more engine cooling, and more power to be made. You can also for example add ice to the water reservoir, which temporarily cools the air going into the engine drastically and increasing horsepower (great for at the track). The pressure drop through a water intercooler is generally around 20 times less than that of an air to air intercooler. Water to air intercooling is the latest in technology and even the Bugatti Veyron uses one for there 1001hp production car!
