LocostUSA.com

I'm in the planning stages of a turbo build for my seven. I currently have a 2000 R1 engine in the car which runs great but I just have the itch to go forced induction. So I purchased me another 2000 model R1 engine, fuel injected throttle bodies, extra exhaust manifold to cannibalize into a turbo manifold, wiring harness, and got a great deal on a brand new Garret GT2554R. The main goal is to be able to swap it into the car once built and have a spare engine in case I have an oops moment at some point. I'm going to be putting in 9:1 CPs and Forged H-beams from CP as well to bring the compression down. I'm on the fence as to whether or not to got air to air or water to air inter cooler. I'm posting all of this in the hope that if I am overlooking something obvious that you kind folks will enlighten me with your vast knowledge and experience.

Depends what the car is for. For the street, if packaging works out better, air-to-water will be just fine, but with the engine already at the front, the added cost, complexity, and weight don't seem worth it when it's only a short run to where the intercooler would mount. (For a mid-engine setup it's much more understandable.)

If the car will see the track (as in, circuit racing, not drag racing) then I strongly suggest avoiding the air-to-water because it'll quickly heat-soak and become useless.

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

It a road course track car. I agree the heat soak would be to great to make the air to water practical. Probably just go with air to air and 3d print some intake ducts to put in nose.

I've been searching quite unsuccessfully to find a particular car I know I've seen on this site before. It was a turbocharged car with a very high build quality as I remembered and it has air intake ducts mounted in the top of the nose. I can picture them clearly in my mind but just cant seem to find the picture. Anybody know which one I'm referring to? I'd like to shamelessly copy the design er I mean use it for inspiration.

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=16581

This one?

That is indeed the one. Thank you very much for the link.