The intercooler in a turbocharged engine is intended to:

The intercooler in a turbocharged engine is intended to:

• A. Increase turbo lag
• B. Waste energy
• C. Cool the high-pressure, high-temperature air to increase density and power
• D. Heat the intake air

Answer: (C)

When air is compressed by a turbocharger, its temperature rises. Hot air is less dense, so even with boost you don’t get as much oxygen mass into the cylinders as you could. An intercooler acts as a heat exchanger to cool that high-pressure air before it enters the engine. Cooler, denser air means more oxygen per intake stroke, so more fuel can be burned and more power can be produced. It also helps prevent knocking by keeping charge air temperatures lower, especially under high boost. So, the intercooler’s purpose is to cool the high-pressure, high-temperature air to increase density and power. It doesn’t heat the intake air, and it isn’t aimed at increasing turbo lag or wasting energy.

When air is compressed by a turbocharger, its temperature rises. Hot air is less dense, so even with boost you don’t get as much oxygen mass into the cylinders as you could. An intercooler acts as a heat exchanger to cool that high-pressure air before it enters the engine. Cooler, denser air means more oxygen per intake stroke, so more fuel can be burned and more power can be produced. It also helps prevent knocking by keeping charge air temperatures lower, especially under high boost.

So, the intercooler’s purpose is to cool the high-pressure, high-temperature air to increase density and power. It doesn’t heat the intake air, and it isn’t aimed at increasing turbo lag or wasting energy.