Intercooled 2L-T

Rollux · Post by **Rollux** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:20 pm

Well I finally got round to interccoling the surf. Used a couple of skyline intercoolers that i picked up off trade me with all the piping for $25!
Took me an hour and a half in total.

Even managed to get it up off the rocker cover a bit. I have some heat sheilding to put under there at some stage, but couldn't be bothered today.

I had to shift the heater tap down the firewall a bit, but that was no prob. It's only cable tied in place at the moment

Had to squash the heater hoses underneath, but it still all works!

Driving impressions:
Well, a bit better off the mark (no bonnet scoop yet!), but for some reason i have no boost. No green lights, no surge, and yet i can hear the turbo spinning. I've checked all the vacuum hoses, the joins to make sure they're not leaking and still nothing. I even disconnected the waste gate for a run round the block to no avail. I gave the intercooler a clean out with kero before fitting it. Strange thing is it doesn't actually feel any slower overall.
Any suggestions?

mud_slinger · Post by **mud_slinger** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 8:04 pm

maybe intercooler bit big and you have a too big pressure drop?

Rollux · Post by **Rollux** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 8:07 pm

hadn't thought of that. I suppose going from 1.5" pipe to an i/c with 2" piping it could have that effect on the small turbo?

UPDATE: Left it sitting overnight (as you do!) and this morning all is well! We have boost and green lights! While it's cold there is a noticeable improvement in bottom end response and the midrange surge is stronger and lasts for another 500rpm or so.
Once it all gets hot there is no difference, but I reckon that'll change once i put a bonnet scoop on. (just running with the bonnet on at the mo)

Definitely worth doing in my opinion thus far, but I'll update once I've got the bonnet scoop on.

Rollux · Post by **Rollux** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:03 pm

UPDATE - Bonnet scoop on now.

Makes a BIG difference once moving above about 30k's. The whole demeanor of the truck on boost is different - smoother, not so ragged/gruff on boost, quieter(!). I'm amazed at the difference.
Went for a drive to Diamond Harbour to test it out - not so much chopping thru the gears, could hold 4th on hills a bit longer (another 100m or so!) and when i got there I popped the bonnet and felt the end tanks on the IC to see the temp drop, prob about 20-30 deg, so its obviously working.

All in all, well worth the $45 it cost me(including scoop)