W211 AMG Discuss the W211 AMG's such as the E55 and the E63

Time to paint the intercooler heat exchanger black!

Old Jun 16, 2014 | 09:23 PM
  #1  
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Time to paint the intercooler heat exchanger black!


Really surprised how big a difference black paint could make!

Last edited by JoeNobody; Jun 17, 2014 at 12:32 AM. Reason: linkify
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Old Jun 17, 2014 | 12:03 AM
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Hahahahahahahahahaha

40° drop because they spray-painted it black? On a bench even!

Hahahahahahahahahaha
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Old Jun 17, 2014 | 01:41 AM
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i dont know???

that test is just with "air" going thru it, i dont think we can just assume it will be the same temp difference with fluid going thru??? may have to do another test and see that result.... what you guys think??
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Old Jun 17, 2014 | 02:34 AM
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plus this is also inside a garage, not out side in the heat where black absorbs the sun.
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Old Jun 17, 2014 | 09:05 AM
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What would happen if they painted it white?
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Old Jun 17, 2014 | 09:42 AM
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Funny how drag racers, who look for every single hp, don't paint them, as well as the factories.

Now, if we all ran our cars with a hairdryer on a workbench, then we are talking!
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Old Jun 17, 2014 | 09:44 AM
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Everybody knows flat black is cool.
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Old Jun 17, 2014 | 10:05 AM
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This totally makes sense, but only for night driving. If you paint it black, the heat can't see the intercooler, and it just passes by.
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Old Jun 17, 2014 | 10:40 AM
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I'm gonna spray paint my entire engine with black wrinkle paint. It should cut down on underhood temps, right?!
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Old Jun 17, 2014 | 02:10 PM
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I did flat black 5 years ago, as I liked the stealth look but no temp change. Imagine that
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Old Jun 17, 2014 | 04:10 PM
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The improvement only matters if there's very little or no air going through the heat exchanger (such as when idling still). The only limitation in these guys testing methodology, is they used a hairdryer on the highest setting which put out air hot enough to boil water. Testing it with lower intake temperatures (more realistic to what intercoolers will see) would show more real world results.

But with that said, now you know why engine radiators are commonly black from the factory :-)
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Old Jun 17, 2014 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by TheOtherDodge
Funny how drag racers, who look for every single hp, don't paint them, as well as the factories.

Now, if we all ran our cars with a hairdryer on a workbench, then we are talking!
It is common for race engine parts to be coated black, presumably just for the increased thermal radiation:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:F...ing_engine.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formul...W12_Engine.jpg

Last edited by JoeNobody; Jun 17, 2014 at 07:06 PM. Reason: fixing link
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Old Jun 17, 2014 | 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted by BagMan
What would happen if they painted it white?
X2!
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 12:58 PM
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Same here 4 years ago

Originally Posted by Exotic-metal55
I did flat black 5 years ago, as I liked the stealth look but no temp change. Imagine that

Painted mine and no temp difference. Recently did the supercharger as well and again, sitting at the same value above ambient.
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Old Jun 18, 2014 | 01:56 PM
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Originally Posted by JoeNobody
The improvement only matters if there's very little or no air going through the heat exchanger (such as when idling still). The only limitation in these guys testing methodology, is they used a hairdryer on the highest setting which put out air hot enough to boil water. Testing it with lower intake temperatures (more realistic to what intercoolers will see) would show more real world results.

But with that said, now you know why engine radiators are commonly black from the factory :-)
^THIS!

I had a debate going with a buddy about this and I told him the test was far from real world as IAT's at idle are going to be barely above ambient as there is nearly no compressed/heated air going through the cooler. Not to mention an intercooler or HE sitting on a table isnt the same as on a running car in front of a hot radiator and engine.

Bottom line is if you want to paint it black..fire away but it isnt going to make it better or worse.
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