CSF by PWR – Ferrari 488/Pista/F8 Intercooler Set

The Ultimate Performance Cooling Collaboration

The Ferrari 488 is a mid-engine supercar that epitomizes the very essence of Italian engineering and automotive design. The 488 has a 3.9-liter V8 engine that produces a staggering 661 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to reach a top speed of 205 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. The 488 also features racing technology like active aerodynamics and an advanced electronic differential. These parts help improve downforce, reduce drag, and improve the handling and control of the car.

However, the 488 has its limitations when it comes to tuning, primarily due to high IATs that can sometimes be in excess of 200°F. These high IAT’s can have a drastic effect on performance by causing the ECU to pull engine timing and decrease power output significantly. Although it already has considerable tuning potential from the impressive 35 psi produced by the factory turbos, owners and tuners have been eager to push the 488 even further. That’s why CSF and PWR set out to create a motorsports-grade cooling solution that would not only match the pedigree of Ferrari, but also unleash the true tuning potential of these supercars.

The CSF by PWR Ferrari 488/Pista/F8 intercooler set is the ultimate cooling solution for anyone looking to take their 488’s performance to the next level. CSF has an industry-leading reputation and possesses a deep knowledge of high-performance Ferrari cooling systems that is unmatched in the aftermarket. When this knowledge is combined with PWR’s manufacturing and engineering expertise honed over 20 years in motorsports like NASCAR and F1, it creates something extraordinary for Ferrari enthusiasts. With a focus on innovation, reliability, and customer satisfaction, CSF and PWR are dedicated to pushing the limits of supercar cooling technology and providing unparalleled support to their clients.

The Craftsmanship & Engineering Behind Race-Inspired Cooling Technology

Our Ferrari 488 intercooler set is handcrafted and TIG welded in the USA, ensuring the highest level of craftsmanship and durability that is unmatched anywhere else in the aftermarket. The end tanks are made from in-house CNC machined billet aluminum, making the product look as good as it performs. The billet tanks can handle much higher boost pressures and have much better heat rejection properties when compared to the OEM tanks.

When looking at the OEM intercoolers and comparing them to the CSF by PWR intercoolers, some of the noticeable differences are the number of tubes and the different type of fins used in our units. The OEM unit has 18 tubes where our unit has 27 internally turbulated tubes, allowing more water to flow through the core. The turbulators inside the tube create turbulent airflow inside, allowing for a greater heat transfer rate than a hollow tube with laminar flow. Also to note is the shorter and denser R-fins. These fins are hemmed & louvered, increasing strength and surface area contact to create even more heat rejection potential. By eliminating the dreaded heat soak factor of the stock intercoolers that is common in the Ferraris after a few dyno pulls, our intercoolers unlock a whole new potential for tuning and reliability for your 488.

The instillation utilizes all factory mounting, shrouds, and fans. Also just like the factory unit we pre-install the high-density foam to seal the area around the intercoolers just like the factory units.

 

Product Development With Voodoo Design

Eric Cheney, owner of Voodoo Design & Engineering, has been a long-time friend of CSF in the aftermarket industry. What sets Eric apart is his unique skill set in the high-performance automotive industry, being an exceptional fabricator and a motorsports engineer. He was consulted to further refine and improve the design of the Ferrari 488/Pista/F8 Intercoolers, to help turn it into a production-ready kit.

 

Dyno Tuning and Data Collection By M-Engineering, World Motorsports, and HD Tuning

 

M Engineering

CSF works with many of the best tuning shops around the world for R&D of their coolers, ensuring their clients get real world data that backs up their reputation as one of the best in the aftermarket. The development of the 488 intercooler was no different, as CSF worked closely with M-Engineering, one of the best tuners in the US for high-performance supercars. Co-Owner of M-Engineering and engine calibration specialists Jon Hebblen performed the validation testing for the intercoolers. 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 test vehicle was a modified 488 with upgraded Pure Turbos, down-pipes, and a tune making almost 700 whp. Jon stated, “IAT’s started at 23°C (73.4°F) and went 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 with the CSF intercoolers installed”. Keep in mind this testing was performed on a modified Ferrari 488, on a stock unit the intake air temps would cool down to normal even faster. The feedback and data from M-Engineering proved to be extremely insightful. The improvements are due to the intercooler’s extensive engineering and its resistance to heat soaking over the stock intercooler – a trait that is commonly overlooked but extremely valuable on the track and during long tuning sessions. The bottom line is that there’s no power loss due to heat soak, which is invaluable to track cars and fast street cars.

 

World Motorsports

CSF went to great lengths to ensure that every detail was considered during the testing of the 488 intercooler system. To achieve this, they enlisted the help of World Motorsports a highly respected development partner known for their expertise in building top-of-the-line turbocharged European vehicles. The team welded temperature sensor bungs onto the OEM units, enabling them to conduct proper testing of the intercoolers efficiency. This additional step allowed for a unique A/B comparison, rather than a standard before and after test. Specifically, the OEM and CSF by PWR units were simultaneously installed on the car for a direct side-by-side comparison. The driver side (right) featured the CSF by PWR intercoolers, while the passenger side (left) featured the sensor-equipped OEM unit. Through this testing process, CSF was able to collect data from both sides during the same pulls/runs, offering a comprehensive understanding of how each intercooler stacked up against the other.

One of the interesting comparisons found was the differential between the CSF by PWR 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 by PWR 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.

 

HD Tuning

HD Tuning sent CSF Dyno and IAT Data from a recent install on a Ferrari F8 Tributo. Engine upgrades included PURE1000 Turbos, VooDoo Exhaust System, and HD Tuning Stage 3 software. Testing was done on Arizona 91 Octane, 2000ft Density Altitude (DA), and 60°F ambient air temperature with ~85% humidity.

The F8 made ~800whp and ~600ft-lbs consistently on four back to back runs. More impressively, the heat soak results from subsequent pulls are impressive. Run 1 Intake Air Temperatures (IATs) starts out at 86°F before the pull and hits 95.4°F after the pull. By the 4th run, IATs are starting off at 105°F and ending at 106°F. The increase in post run IATs was a mere 11°F while mid run IATs saw an impressively low increase of 14°F.

In dyno tests seen from other 488/Pista/F8’s, drops in horsepower from back to back pull have been observed to drop by as much as 33whp with factory intercoolers. The largest drop seen in this test from HD tuning is a mere 14whp drop. This demonstrates the impressive consistency in wheel horsepower and intake air temperatures from the CSF Intercoolers.

 

1/2 Mile Testing

The white Ferrari F8 above attended the Omega Motorsports NoFlyZone 1/2 mile rolling drag race event in Gila Bend, Arizona. The dyno before the event showed the car now making 820 whp and 596 ft-lbs of torque. While CSF wasn’t sent the 1/2 Mile results from the race, the customer did send some data logs of the F8’s IATs from 2 races. The data from both pulls were quite impressive as to the efficiency and recovery of the CSF by PWR Intercoolers.

You can see the IAT holding steady at idle and dropping slightly as the F8 picks up speed. The Intercoolers maintain a slow and steady increase in IAT under load during the run but never move above 140°F (60°C). The intercoolers quickly recover after the pull. CSF was more than pleased with these results and the customer is tremendously happy with the performance.

 

 

 

Ready To Unleash The Full Potential Of Your Ferrari 488?

By reducing the amount of heat-soaked air going into your Ferrari 488, you will see higher and more consistent horsepower, allowing for easier tuning and better overall health and reliability for your engine. It’s no wonder why CSF by PWR intercoolers are an easy choice for high-performance enthusiasts looking to unleash the full potential of their car. Upgrade with confidence to the CSF by PWR Ferrari 488/Pista/F8 Intercooler Set and experience the unfair advantage in cooling technology!

Features:

• 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 by PWR North America
• OEM Style Inlet/Outlet Connections for Precise Fitment With All OEM Components
• Raw Billet Aluminum Finish
• 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
  • Additional installation steps for 488 Pista/F8 – Instruction Guide Download (Click Here)
• R&D and Performance Testing by Industry-Leading Tuning Companies M-Engineering, World Motorsports, HD Tuning, and Voodoo Design

Fits

• 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

CR-CC-U1579

CSF Part Number: 8210