Turbochargers are old technology but are finally being incorporated into our everyday vehicles and even our weekend warriors. More than 34% of vehicles on the road right now are equipped with a turbocharger which is significantly more than the 1% a few years ago. UTV’s have been adopting this technology as it permits performance out of smaller engines.

Upgrading your intercooler in your UTV can be the first of many steps towards making BIG power. You also might need to upgrade to improve the efficiency of your engine depending on where you are located. Oftentimes, owners can get away with upgrading their intercooler fan to force more air through the core to keep it cooler. In some cases, this won’t work and a bigger capacity is necessary. Before we get into whether you should upgrade or not, first let’s discuss what an intercooler is and why it’s essential to the performance of your machine.

What Is An Intercooler?

A vital component of a turbocharged system is the intercooler. Its job is to cool the air coming from the compressor side of the turbo which then flows into the intake side of your engine. This air is considered ‘charge air’ since it is feeding your engine more power by compressing oxygen, making it denser.

The process of compressing oxygen results in heat being produced which defeats the purpose of a turbo as it decreases efficiency and power output. To combat this, an intercooler is placed between the turbo and the intake. As air passes through the charge side of the system it is cooled by the intercooler to reduce intake air temperatures (IAT) before entering the intake. This process allows cooler oxygen to enter the engine to produce more power.

Is My Stock Intercooler Good Enough?

When it comes to UTV’s, your stock intercooler usually can’t keep up with consistent abuse and will get heat-soaked. Heat soaking is the enemy of performance and especially turbochargers. This means the core of the intercooler is unable to cool off the air passing through it because the surrounding temperature is too high.

View Agency Power Inventory Here

While the factory intercooler does a decent job at preventing heat soak, that doesn’t mean it’s immune. Installing an upgraded intercooler fan can significantly decrease IAT and prevent heat soaking. Another solution would be to install an upgraded intercooler fan ducting. This will catch more air than the factory and divert it through the intercooler rather than allowing the precious air to pass over it without going through the core.

Purchase Your Intercooler Accessories Here!

Before buying an intercooler, there are many factors to take into consideration like; Elevation, style of driving, and the region you are located in.

Elevation – Higher elevation has less dense oxygen which means the turbocharger has to work slightly harder to compensate. In lower elevations, the density of oxygen is higher and requires less effort while providing more power. If you are located in a high elevation area, an upgraded intercooler will significantly improve IAT and increase performance.

Style Of Driving – If you have a lead foot and floor it everywhere you go, you are prone to heat soaking your intercooler and turbocharger. To prevent this, an upgraded intercooler and fan are necessary. While trail riding and cruising might not require any upgrades, your elevation and region should influence your decision.

Region – Hotter climate results in less dense oxygen and will increase your chances of heat soaking your machine. Colder climates won’t have this issue as the density of oxygen is much higher in cooler weather. An intercooler fan will improve performance no matter the region, but hotter climates require an upgraded intercooler to prevent heat soaking.

Installing a fan will prove to be beneficial no matter the situation, but when it comes to purchasing and installing an upgraded intercooler, there is a little more thought behind the decision as it’s not necessary for every situation.