I have an ETS 3 inch intercooler, but I want it black. I saw the option to have it anodized when I bought it, but didn't think it would look good. My car is TB & I removed the front emblem & tinted the headlights. Earlier today I was standing at the top of my driveway & noticed how much the intercooler stands out against everything else. I was wondering if I paint it will it affect the intercoolers ability to cool as well as it should. I would think it shouldn't make a diffrence since only the face of it will be covered & some overspray into the fins of course. I dont want to do it if it will make it less efficient. Anyone know for sure?

 

I painted mine with BBQ paint from lowes. I logged IAT's before and after and saw zero difference...

 

Just get some high temp. radiator paint and paint it.

 

That's waht I thought. I just wanted to run it by the crew first to get opinions. I think I'll do this the next time I have the bumper off.

 

yes u can paint with High temp to pervent heats..

 

I have heard others saying not to do it. However, radiator paint would be better than regualr spray paint. From what I've read, the best thing to do is have it anodized because painting changes the way the intercooler dissipates heat and anodizing does not.

 

Not sure I want to deal with the extra cost of having to send it out & get it anodized though. If I decide to paint it I will get before & after IA temps from my ScanGaugeII & post them for others to see.

 

u can always sell your core and buy a block one from ets
just get a good asking price on it im sure it wont last long with the quality of their ic

 

+1. Stealth is the way to go but sometimes I do miss the bling.

 

I don't think it will hurt.I did that with my oil cooler.

 

Just don't put on 20 coats and you'll be fine

 

I would advise against it if you want your IC to run as efficiently as possible. You're adding a layer (or however many coats you apply) of insulation to the outside of the IC, that's just one more material to have to get down to the metal to properly cool the charged air. There is absolutely no reason to apply high temp paint to it as well, the core is not going to see anywhere near the super high temps that something like brake calipers see.

Here's another thread with some more info for ya..

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=334275

 

thanks for the link

 

Pics when you're finished.

 

anodizing can be pricey $99+...i went with a dupli-color aluminum silver high temp paint (less than ten bucks) over the black (from previous owner, that began to chip from road debri) vice versa of what your doing but same idea, extremely easy! here are some pics...

before


after