what's the difference between "bar and fin" intercoolers and "tube and fin" intercoolers?

which one is better? or do they both have their own advantages?

TIA.

 

bar and plate is a superior design in every way. it flows way better than a tube and fin core and probably cools better. there would be way less pressure drop in a bar and plate compared to tube and fin as well.

basically, if you have the money to spend on a bar and plate aftercooler, that's the one you want to buy.

(a higher quality bar and plate core would be one to go for, like a spearco. i'll try getting some pictures up to show why).

 

Both have their plus's and minus's.

Go to turbomagazine.com, sportcompactcarweb.com, etc. and search for their magazine articles. Also, check out Bell Intercoolers.

If you want the most efficient, ie lowest charge temps and lowest pressure drop IC, your only choice is a vertical flow bar/plate IMHO.

 

Similar to this:
http://www.airpowersystems.com.au/35...ntercooler.htm

 

Here's the Spearco aftercooler I was speaking of. Very, very open design. (sorry for the crappy quality picture. i had to take the picture with my camera as my scanner is old and crappy, i need to get a new one).

 

thanx for your input guys.. i was thinking of a verticle intercooler a while ago but i still want to keep my front bumper support