LADELUFTKÜHLER IM T3
We will help you choose the right system for you and can supply all the necessary parts on request. You can get a complete system for as little as €680.
You can choose between air and water-based systems. Installation here on site can be organised if required. We are currently building the systems for the well-known TDI conversions (AFN, 1Z and AHU).
We also offer suitable systems for the Jx and AAZ turbodiesels. As our two systems are installed in the left ear, we also offer a suitable air filter system. This is then fitted on the right-hand side instead of the battery, which is then moved forwards under the seat or under the rear seat bench as in the original WBX.
The topic of intercoolers in the T3 is discussed from time to time in various forums. We have put together a brief overview for you here.
The intercooler cools the warm charge air produced by the turbocharger during compression and feeds it back into the combustion process in the engine - in principle, the intercooler is nothing more than a heat exchanger. This improves the performance and efficiency of the engine. The principle is: the lower the temperature of the air, the greater the mass of the same air with the same volume. More fuel can be burnt and the efficiency of a combustion engine increases.
There are two different systems for use, which we compare below.
A distinction is made between the air-cooled and the water-cooled intercooler.
The air-cooled charge air cooler
Here, as the name suggests, the charge air is cooled by air / by the airstream. Imagine a water cooler - replace the water with the charge air - and you have an air-cooled intercooler in front of you.
And this is precisely the problem with the T3 - namely, how do you realise the airflow through the airstream in a vehicle with a rear engine? Any ideas? We suggest.... a blower / fan, proper air scoops on the outside of the body, hang the air conditioning unit under the car in the underfloor airstream, on the roof with it...? Somehow, we don't think it's the best solution. In a front-engined vehicle, the LLK simply hangs somewhere in the airstream, e.g. in front of the radiator or behind the bumper. This is not feasible in the T3 as the air paths are too long. So if it has to go in somewhere at the back. E.g. in the left ear. Incidentally, better cooling of the intercooler can be achieved by spraying water on the outside of the intercooler - not debatable in the T3 and its use, but a system used in motorsport.
For owners of a double cab or flatbed, the installation location in the left ear is unsuitable as there is no airflow due to the bodywork.
Advantages of the air-operated air conditioning system:
easy and inexpensive to procure as mass-produced parts
Simple system design
not susceptible to faults due to few system components
available on the dispenser during TDI conversion
Disadvantages of the air/air intercooler
not optimal to realise in the T3 due to rear engine
Poor air flow due to airstream (for us this means necessary forced ventilation using a fan)
System heats up quickly if it is insufficiently cooled by the air (e.g. steep uphill gradients - the engine loses power - the TDIs shut down at a defined temperature (approx. 80 degrees) - forced ventilation provides a remedy here - we realise this with both an automatically and manually controlled fan.
Our air intercooler system
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Unfortunately, the prices currently have to be recalculated
The water-cooled charge air cooler
In principle, the charge air is forced through a closed box, which in turn contains a radiator network through which water flows. This "box" requires four connections - inlet and outlet of the charge air as well as inlet and outlet of the cooling system. Attention: do not confuse - the WLLK is not connected to the cooling circuit of the engine but has its own cooling circuit.
The principle is very simple. The heat is transferred from the charge air heated by the compression of the turbocharger in the heat exchanger (box) to the water, the water flows to the radiator which in turn is cooled by the airstream (as with a normal vehicle radiator). The heat is transferred from the water to the airstream and the now cooled water flows back to the heat exchanger and everything starts all over again. All in all, the better solution in the case of the T3, but also the more complex one.
Advantages of the system:
this system can be used most effectively in the T3 due to the rear engine
due to its volume, the water acts as a reservoir - this means that even when driving slowly, it takes longer than with an air-to-air intercooler (not forced-ventilated) until all the water has heated up to the point where it can no longer absorb heat from the charge air
short distances between the charge air and the radiator can also be realised here
Optimum position on the vehicle to dissipate the heat to the airstream in the front of the vehicle (but at sufficient speed)
Disadvantages of the system:
more complex and therefore more expensive to set up as several components are required
not available in the donor vehicle / hardly any mass-produced parts)
When driving very slowly or in difficult off-road conditions (4WD), the water may heat up to such an extent that a TDI, for example, will go into emergency mode. The reason for this is the lack of air flow through the front radiator
Schematic of the system:
Our water-cooled charge air system
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