NEW FROM CSF! A PERFECT COMPLIMENT WITH OUR 488, 488 PISTA, AND F8 ECU TUNE!
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 its strategic manufacturing partner PWR have developed a reputation for producing some of the best cooling products available. The CSF by PWR intercooler systems has 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.
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.
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 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 was 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 resolves this issue and allows 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.
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.
DYNO 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.
IATs started at 23°C (73.4°F) and go up to 28°C (82.4°F) in the 5th gear pull then came back down to 23°C (73.4°F) after 15 seconds w/ the CSF installed.
JON HEBBELN, M ENGINEERING CO-OWNER AND ENGINE CALIBRATOR
The feedback from M-Engineering 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 can 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 produces between 530 and 550 whp, the heat dissipation post pull will happen faster due to lower pre-intercooler charge temps.
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 produced more boost. Part of the reason this happened was the computer was reading the IATs 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.
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 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
- 2019-2021 Ferrari 488 Pista Spider
- 2020+ Ferrari F8 Tributo
- 2020+ Ferrari F8 Spider
- OEM Part Numbers:
- Ferrari 488 GTB/Spider: 328422 (right) | 328423 (left)
- Ferrari 488 Pista/F8 (incl. Spider): 748559 (right) | 748562 (left)