You should always watch for detonation, especially when changing the engine configuration.

It will probably be more efficient, but not necessarily. Also, a front mount will generally have more pressure drop than the stock configuration, which means that the turbo needs to work harder to yield the same boost level at the manifold. When the turbo works harder, the temperature increases, which increases the chances of detonation if the added intercooler efficiency (if any) is not enough to make up for the added heat. If the front mount intercooler has less pressure drop than the stock system, there will be more boost at the manifold, which could cause an overboost or boost creep problem, depending on your setup.

I don't see any fuel system modifications in your signature, which means that you are really pushing it when boosting to 10psi.

The bottom line is that it is not a good idea to slap on this intercooler and immediately try racing around town. There shouldn't be any major problems is you take things carefully and slowly.

 

i have no fueld mods.. but my af gauge is always running a little bit rich.. i didnt think that an intercooler would give me MORE air.. requiring more fuel. just thought that it would improve the air temp to make more power. i guess i was missing something

 

A/F gauges are a joke, don't depend on them.

Do your fuelpump at least first, Walbro 255 and a rewire.

Have you gotten your injectors professionally cleaned?

 

For the purposes of monitoring the engine, I have a little more faith in AFR gauges than JasonL does. I have a feeling that your boost gauge is not accurate.

It's not about more air, nor cooler air, but more dense air. The turbo increases the air density by increasing the air pressure, but it also decreases the air density by heating the air. The intercooler increases the air density by cooling the air, but also decreases the air density due to the pressure drop caused by the restrictions in the intercooler and plumbing. The trick is to have high-density air fed to the rotors at the end of the process.