What ranges of efficiency can be expected from an intercooler?
A typical air-to-air intercooler for a street application achieves between 70% and 85% efficiency, an excellent/optimum design for road racing can Exceed 90% efficiency, but requires an adequate “budget!” It entirely depends on the design and packaging. Typically, a liquid-to-air intercooler achieves higher efficiencies than an air-to-air intercooler, starting at 75% efficiency and reaching peaks of 95% efficiency (for a short time, then will drop to 60 to 80 %). Another advantage is the optional use of ice as a coolant, which is the only way to reduce the charge-air temperature below the ambient air temperature.
