GEN 2 Intercooler or radiator first?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

hedonist222

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2019
Posts
483
Reaction score
172
Location
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Considering really hot climates, like here in the UAE. Imagine a few weeks of 126 Fahrenheit and a few months of 105 to 115.

Which would you change out first:

Intercooler or radiator?

Or intercooler + thermostat & request folk over at mpt to turn on radiator fans at 176 f?
 

nikhsub1

FRF Addict
Joined
Mar 5, 2017
Posts
4,104
Reaction score
4,688
Location
Los Angeles
Intercooler 100%. And yes, a thermostat. Not sure you even need a new radiator - I'd do the 170 and then see. No need to have fans turn on that soon - I think it is 185ish with the MPT 170 tune.
 

lawdog

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2017
Posts
570
Reaction score
201
To preserve power, I would think intercooler...stock unit small, can see real gains with upgrade. I would wait on the radiator to see how temps are in actual use. Remember, intercooler is just cooling air from turbos to give a better/more dense charge, radiator cooling coolant for engine.
 

jabroni619

FRF Addict
Joined
Jun 13, 2017
Posts
2,057
Reaction score
1,418
To preserve power, I would think intercooler...stock unit small, can see real gains with upgrade. I would wait on the radiator to see how temps are in actual use. Remember, intercooler is just cooling air from turbos to give a better/more dense charge, radiator cooling coolant for engine.

Radiator is also cooling coolant for the turbos. The turbos on our trucks have both coolant and oil running through them.
 

zhengyucoo

Active Member
Joined
May 19, 2017
Posts
69
Reaction score
32
Location
Atlanta
Mine still runs hot around 220 with add rad 185 thermostat when cruising highway around 70 to 80 miles per hr.
 

Badgertits

FRF Addict
Joined
Jan 24, 2019
Posts
2,730
Reaction score
2,376
Location
Ma
Your geographical situation is absolutely one where I’d think VERY hard about sandwiching one of the bigger FMIC’s like COBB vs. a heavier duty stock location IC like CVF/whipple/mishimoto.

reason I say that is I feel the big ass FMICs impede the cooling ability of the radiator on the engine block. I don’t see how they couldn’t/wouldn’t.

I also agree that IC first & T-stat + tune to have fans come on earlier before worrying bout a radiator. Stock radiator probably fine it’s brand new- if it was a 10 year old truck living in a cold climate w/ road salt in winters OR a 10 year old truck living ocean side in warm or cold temps as the sea air and/or road salt will absolutely accelerate the oxidization/degradation in performance of the stock rad (as will General age & miles of use being pelted w/ road grime/water/bugs etc)
 

jabroni619

FRF Addict
Joined
Jun 13, 2017
Posts
2,057
Reaction score
1,418
Mine still runs hot around 220 with add rad 185 thermostat when cruising highway around 70 to 80 miles per hr.

Hot compared to what though? If we’re talking my 1998 Pontiac yeah that’s hot, but today’s cars all seem to run quite hot.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
92,817
Posts
1,946,181
Members
56,075
Latest member
Arizona Free
Top