Stock S13 sidemount intercooler good/bad

[DoonCoonVaroon]

Has anyone ever installed the stock side mount intercooler in their S13 when swapping the SR20 in? I am just wondering if this intercooler is even worth the effort of putting in (since it came with the motorset) or should i just go with a front mount right away?

[9240sx]

Alot of sr swaps use the stock side mount and piping,Iv always used the sidemount intercooler works perfect for 7 to 11 psi.If you plan on running any higher boost,get the front mount now.Ill get a front mount one of these days.

[Onizuka]

save some money and just run around on the stock sidemount till you decide to up the boost conciderable or get a bigger turbo.

[pgt892]

I also use the SMIC. I haven't had any problems with it. It's fine using it up to 10PSI. After that it becomes heatsoaked and inefficient. For the time being it works fine for me.

[DawgMode]

yea just get a front mount one time

[Tx-Sx-FS]

hey, how hard is it to install? do I have to cut any bumper support or anything to make it fit? what about the part where the piping runs down the driver side fender where stock air box thing used to be?? Let me know ASAP. thanks.

[HailtotheSilvia]

hey, how hard is it to install? do I have to cut any bumper support or anything to make it fit? what about the part where the piping runs down the driver side fender where stock air box thing used to be?? Let me know ASAP. thanks.

easy..1) remove stock airbox2) SMIC bolts right up to the stock airbox location3) cut a hole above the smic for piping

i've been having mine for 9 months now, never boost pass stock, held up fine...I knew a kid that live neayby running 12-13 psi on the SMIC...DAILY!!!! so yeah...his motor will blow soon

[Blown240sx]

Im running a SMIC from the stock setup and it works fine. My whole inner fender was removed infront of the wheel so it gets as much air as possible. Im going to by a piece of flexable piping to funnel air from the front bumper right over the intercooler see if I cant get it a little more power.

[slow s13]

heres my custom sheet metal side mount ducting on 91-94 bumper

[slow s13]

another angle, it seems to work fine for me, but I got a front mount on the way!!

[Tx-Sx-FS]

hey, my smic wont hook up for some reason. I can either bolt the hotpipe up, or the cold pipe..not both...the couplers seem to get in the way and wont work. Also, how do people use the KA24E radiator with the cold pipe, it seems to sit right where the top hose attaches...my SR radiator had a whole in the top, you think Phase2 will replace for me?? Let me know ASAP. thanks.

[180fan]

Got a picture of how they're not lining up? Did you line up the hotpipe with the hole closer to the back and the cold pipe closer to the front of the car?

[Tx-Sx-FS]

yea thats how i hooked it up...if the bov is located closer to the back of the car. if thats wrong let me know, but still the couplers look to big to hook them up. if my fmic is 21x6x3, what could i use for piping as a sustitute until i get piping made??