upgraded intercooler on stock turbo?

[fiznat]

I dont think I will ever have enough money to upgrade the turbo on my (future) SR, so is it worth it to buy an aftermarket intercooler at all? I suppose a bigger/better one would cool better- but arent there better ways to spend the $900?

[I H8 UR DSM]

you can run more boost out of the stock turbo with a bigger intercooler...well worth the money IMO

[Twincam16vTurbo]

if you do plan on upgrading the turbo in the future, spend the money on building the motor. you'll be thankful that you did. do everything right the first time, even though it may take longer to reach your goals.... otherwise, if you plan on leaving that baby stock a FMIC would look mean behind that front bumper

[SpeedRacer1]

If you go too big and arent planning on doing anything else to the powerplant then you could recieve heat sink on stock boost. But thats in the far future for you. :P

[BuudWeizErr]

if you do plan on upgrading the turbo in the future, spend the money on building the motor. you'll be thankful that you did. do everything right the first time, even though it may take longer to reach your goals

OT- I can't agree more. I'm spending at least an extra $300 right now, but I'm getting a new valve cover gasket, new front and rear main seals, Rocker Arm Stoppers, flywheel resurfaced, new waterpump.....

But at least I know I won't have to do it when the engine is in the car.

[S14lover]

So FMIC kickass and worth the scratch or you must upgrade the turbo, P&P, etc to own one?

[fiznat]

you can run more boost out of the stock turbo with a bigger intercooler...well worth the money IMO

Well yeah... but from what I hear the maximum efficency range of the stock turbo isnt *TOO* far away from stock boost... what is it- stock 7 and max 14? Is it ill-advised to boost to 14 on the stock intercooler? What about getting a smaller, less expensive aftermarket IC to just cover me to 1 bar (as well as accounting for any pressure problems that might come with too big an IC..)? Wouldnt that pretty much be the money spot if I didnt plan on upgrading the turbo?

If so, do you guys reccomend any smaller-sized ICs?