Important for the SR swap

[kieffer]

Hi there, I just had a quick question. I'm still a little new to nissan but I was wondering if you really need an intercooler after you swap out a KA (on my 97 240sx) for the SR20. I see on ebay that they don't come with intercoolers and I was also wondering if silvias in japan have intercoolers in them already? So would I have to buy an intercooler along with the engine? Much thanks

[dtowngoalie]

They have side mount intercoolers in japan, driver side wheel well. Some companies that sell motors include the Side mount, others don't.

[Sushibandito]

From what I have heard the stock side mount intercooler would be fine if you were running the SR engine at stock boost, which is 7psi I believe. The internals are generally capable of boosting to 11 or 12psi, which would dramatically increase your HP and could justify the cost of a front mount intercooler. Plus, having a big a** intercooler in the center of your bumper looks pretty cool. There are a fair amount of cheapie options like Godspeed, but I'd try to stick with something name-brand, just on the lower end of things to save some cash. Craigslist posters are occasionally getting rid of their FMICs and can be picked up for as little as $200-$300 for quality units like Blitz.

[S13Joe]

Greddy FMIC

[cookies13]

u have to have an ic no matter wut but if u have a silvia conversion make sure u have the air duct for the ic

[kingtal0n]

you dont NEED an intercooler for a stock swap but they are so cheap you would be stupid not to pick one up.

a complete kit from ebay will run $300~ shipped brand new.

granted they are junk, its mostly just for looks, in fact most Front mounts will decrease performance, even with a stock turbocharger. and if you upgrade to anything substantial and push it to the limit a cheap intercooler will NOT suite your needs in any way shape or form, you will NEED to upgrade to a better unit such as greddy vspl or better.