Side Mount Cooler Upgrade

[lows_13]

I'm thinking about upgrading the side mount on my RB20DET, but front mounts these days are

relatively cheap, so is this worth while?

Are the effects of a front mount cooler over a side mount upgrade much?

What are peoples experiences or opinions with this?

[TTT]

fmic kit.. costs about $500 from just jap.

side intercooler upgrades are avialable from from ARC I think. but the cooler itself (if you can find one) costs more than a whole FMIC kit from just jap does.

I had a ARC side mount on my old r32 (fluke.. picked it up for $50) and at a lazy 155rwkw it worked fine.

My current R32 has a just jap fmic kit.

it causes no problems and works fine.

you're thinking too much about it.

just remember, an intercoolers role is to simply remove heat from the air that passes through it.. kinda like a heat sink.

$500 and a weekend of your time..

money well spent.

[lows_13]

I'm just trying to get away from having to cut up the front bar.

Do certain front mounts that use the side cooler piping fit in the front without cutting up the front bar? (eg, apexi)

[Medium Dave]

Um, this might seem like a silly question, has anyone put a water spray setup on thier side cooler? I would like to increase the efficiency of the standard core, but dumping water over the left front wheel does not sound like such a good thing for traction...

[TTT]

there are some jap intercooler kits that use the stock pies so you don't need cutting.

ARC makes one.

I think BLITZ also does one.

but price.. even second hand..

up to you I guess.

Here is how JUST JAP intercooler kit looks behind my front bar.. (type M r32 gts4 sedan)

Medium dave - I questioned this.

the fact that you would need to buy a water canister (probably 5L), a pump, decent spray nozzles (not garden sprinkler variety), water lines, some sort of controller to turn it on and off manually or by throttle position or boost sensing, then wiring it all in... Kinda out weighs the tiny if any benefit it will have on the standard interheater.

I even went to the effort of purchasing a jza80 2jsgte twin turbo supra intercooler to fit it in the side there..

but it was too big for the side and too fat for the front (135mm thick).

then there is the R34 side mount option.. NOPE. inlet and outlet are not right.. fits an R33 or stagea (rb25 engined cars) but not R32.

still, it is only a mild upgrade.

long story short.

exhaust air filter and little boost, stock cooler is fine on the street and occasionaly drag strip.

circuit work, it's useless.

if you want to go further with mods, a fmic is a decent upgrade.

Edited April 5, 2006 by GTST

[lows_13]

Did much of the Type M front need to be cut out to

fit the cooler behind it?

[TTT]

don't know.

bought it like that

[lebostyles]

if you have the motorised spolier lip on the front of your car, that has to be removed as well.

[Sydneykid]

I have used an R34GTT SMIC on an R32GTST by cutting and rewelding the inlet pipe. Made a nice 215 rwkw and went quite well in Targa style events. Which is more testing than normal road work. Would also probably be OK for hillclimbs and supersprints.

cheers

Edited April 5, 2006 by Sydneykid

[lows_13]

What about these front mount types where they

use the standard side mount piping?

[Bunta]

I used a HKS version of the above...If you can afford it go for it they are heaps easier to fit

[lows_13]

Did it bolt straight in?

Any cutting of the front bar required?

[lows_13]

How much different is a S13 front mount cooler setup that use's

the side pipes to a R32 setup?

Is there any modifying required?

[kaige]

Where can you buy the aftermarket and better flowing stock side mount coolers?

[7yphon]

I have done the Spray on my Side mount Cost me under $10 money well spent til you need a FMIC