CSF Ferrari 488/Pista/F8 High Performance Intercoolers

8210

The 488 was a landmark model being the first turbocharged mid-engine Ferrari since the legendary F40. While the reasons for returning to forced induction range from technology progression to environmental regulations, there is no denying it has been a welcome update. The performance potential of forced induction raises the performance potential of any engine astronomically. Also, with updated versions of this engine (Ferrari F154 CB/CD/CG) being used in the Pista and F8 you can expect to see a lot of aftermarket support.

With multiple tunes available for the Ferrari 488/Pista/F8, there was an obvious demand for upgraded cooling systems. A big limiting factor in tuning has been high Intake Air Temperatures (IATs) produced by the turbos which already produce around 35 PSI of boost from the factory. Because of this, many Ferrari owners and tuners have been waiting for the world’s first high-performance intercooler for the 488/Pista/F8.

CSF and it’s strategic manufacturing partner PWR have developed a reputation for producing some of the best cooling products available. The CSF by PWR intercooler systems have seen overwhelming success and popularity for vehicles like the Porsche 911 Turbo, Porsche 911 GT2 RS, Lamborghini Urus, and Audi RS6/RS7. Given that track record, they have teamed up again to bring the most advanced cooling technology to the Ferrari market.

The Ferrari 488/Pista/F8 has a lot of untapped potential that can be unleashed with higher boost levels. That is, if there is a way to control the extra heat. While already prone to heat soak power loss under hard driving, any additional boost only exacerbates the issue. With some help from the team over at World Motorsports along with M-Engineering, CSF was able to design and test the solution. Tuning experts from M-Engineering drove out from Arizona just to test the new system.

Design & Engineering

The Ferrari 488/Pista/F8 Intercoolers were carefully designed and engineered to fit exactly like the OEM units they replace. The installation uses all the factory mounting points, shrouds, and fans for a true “drop-in fitment”. No cutting or other modifications are required. CSF pre-installs a high density foam to seal the area around the intercoolers just like the factory units.

One of the challenges of designing a true drop-in system is the size limitations. While most aftermarket intercoolers achieve a good percentage of their improved efficiency with increased size, the CSF by PWR Intercoolers rely on a ultra efficient core. PWR manufactures and uses these same cores on the intercoolers it supplies for the majority of Formula-1 race teams.

OEM vs CSF by PWR

PWR Intercooler Core Technology

The intercooler cores are spec’d out by CSF and custom build by PWR. Featuring two rows of rolled cooling tubes with inner fins, these cores make for the most efficient intercoolers available. Because of this, they are able to eliminate of heat soak and lower IATs much more efficiently than traditional Bar & Plate designs. This gives us maximum performance for extended periods of time under demanding driving conditions and for vehicles with increased power levels through modifications and tuning.

Ferrari’s F154 is a marvelous piece of engineering (testing performed on the 488 but results will be similar for the Pista & F8). Extracting 660 hp and 560 lb-ft (710 hp & 568 lb-ft on the Pista & F8) out of 3.9L is no small feat, and it takes around 35 lbs of boost to achieve. Even with the high efficiency twin scroll turbos, there is still a massive amount of heat generated. The air leaving the turbos can reach temperatures well over 200°F. While the factory intercoolers do a decent job of bringing those temperatures down before entering the engine, we still see the ECU pulling engine timing and drastically decreasing power output.  The CSF by PWR Intercoolers resolve this issue and allow the engine to perform at optimal levels consistently and for prolonged periods of time.

Dyno Testing

Performance gains are very significant throughout the RPM range. The test vehicle was equipped with a set of Down-Pipes, Pure Turbos, and tuned by M-Engineering. The gains from just adding the intercoolers without any tune adjustments produced significant gains across the RPM range.

The areas of largest improvements seen are at the highest boost levels where the turbos are producing the most heat. While the gains will be more noticeable on a modified 488/Pista/F8, there would still be significant improvements even in stock form.

CNC Machined Billet End Tanks

Similar to other CSF by PWR products, the Ferrari 488 Intercoolers features 100% TIG-welded machined billet aluminum end tanks. While the stamped aluminum and brazed with gasket design of the OEM units are stronger than the typical crimped with gasket setups we often see for intercoolers, there is still plenty of room for improvement. The Billet and TIG-welded design far exceeds the pressure limits of both these OEM designs.

This feature is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also offers improved longevity and durability. The CNC machined billet end tanks are ready to withstand increased boost pressures from bolt-on modifications, higher performance tunes, as well as upgraded turbochargers.

product development with VooDoo Design

Voodoo Design was integral in the production of the McLaren 720S/765LT Intercooler system (CSF #8186). They produce some of the world finest products for supercars and hypercars. So naturally they were the perfect choice to work with on the Ferrari 488/Pista/F8 Intercoolers.

Owner of Voodoo Design & Engineering, Eric Cheney, has been a long-time industry friend of CSF. Eric’s skillset is extremely unique in the high-performance automotive industry. He is both an excellent fabricator as well as a motorsports engineer. Eric was consulted to further improve the design into a production-ready kit.

tuning and Data Collection by M-Engineering

CSF has worked closely with M-Engineering on many occasions. Co-owner and engine calibration specialist Jon Hebbeln conducted the performance validation on the new Ferrari Intercoolers. Having Jon’s experience and knowledge of tuning and engine calibration is invaluable when developing and testing new products on these types of vehicles and will be used as CSF’s main distributor for these coolers.

The feedback from M-Engineering really gave us a good look at how efficient the coolers are. With less than a 10°F increase in IATs throughout the pull, the 488 is able to safely push out a little more boost and pull less timing. The 15 seconds recovery post pull is a great testament to how well they will stave off heat soak. Keep in mind these results were from a modified 488 with upgraded turbos, down-pipes, and a tune making almost 700 whp. On a stock 488 which typically product between 530 and 550 whp, the heat dissipation post pull will happen faster due to lower pre-intercooler charge temps.

Installation and Testing at World Motorsports

Side by Side Comparison

World Motorsports is world renowned for the specialty in high-end turbocharged European vehicles. With their help, CSF was able to do some very comprehensive testing on the intercoolers. The fabricators there welded sensor bungs onto the OEM units for proper testing of the intercooler efficiency.

This extra bit of work allowed for some unique A/B testing. Instead of doing a standard before and after test, the OEM and CSF by PWR units were run on the car at the same time for a direct side by side comparison. The CSF by PWR intercoolers was installed on the driver side (right) while the sensor equipped OEM unit on the passenger side (left). Data was collected from both sides on the same pulls/runs to really see how they stacked up.

One of the interesting comparisons we found was the differential between the CSF and OEM hot side pressure readings. At first this may seem a little strange, but it is fairly easily explained. Due to the increased cooling efficiency of the CSF intercoolers, the turbo on that bank of cylinders actually produced more boost. Part of the reason this happened was the computer was reading the IAT’s and saw a lower temperature than expected leaving room for more boost (and effectively heat). This is where those power gains from the upgraded intercooler come into play. In the same way the car will pull boost and timing when the IATs get too high, it will also give you a little more when they are lower than normal.

Dyno Testing

World Motorsports have the most comprehensive chassis dyno in North America. It is equipped with enough massive fans to create a wind tunnel effect. With this, they are able to simulate the airflow of wind speed matching the dyno’s speedometer. Using their dyno for testing yielded the most accurate dyno readings possible.

Not a detail was overlooked when it came to testing CSF’s newest intercooler system. World Motorsports has been an extremely valuable development partner for CSF.

CSF High-Performance Intercooler System Features ( CSF #8210 ):

• Sold as a pair (Left & Right Intercoolers)
• Eliminates Heat Soak and Lower Intake Air Temperatures (IATs) for Maximum Performance in High-Performance and Race Conditions
• Formula-1 Performance Grade Cores by PWR (2-Row Cores features Rolled Tubes w/ Inner Fins)
• 100% TIG Welded CNC Machined Billet End Tanks for Maximum Strength & Durability
• Made in the USA at PWR North America
• OEM Style Inlet/Outlet Connections for Precise Fitment With All OEM Components
• Available in Black Thermal Dispersion Ceramic Coating upon request
• Precision machined integrated BPV/BOV connection
• High density foam installed for OEM Fit & Finish
• Integrated OEM Style Fan Shroud
• True Plug-and-Play “Drop-in Fit” Installation – Requires Absolutely No Modifications
• R&D and Performance Testing by Industry-Leading Tuning Companies M-Engineering, World Motorsports, and Voodoo Design

• Applications:
  • 2016-2019 Ferrari 488 GTB
  • 2016-2019 Ferrari 488 Spider
  • 2019-2021 Ferrari 488 Pista / Pista Spider 
  • 2020+ Ferrari F8 Tributo / Spider

• OEM Part Numbers:
  • Ferrari 488 GTB/Spider: 328422 (right) | 328423 (left)