i need some info please. i have decided to do the t2 swap. im alittle confused about the intercoler setup. what i mean is the different sizesif i upgrade to a bigger intercoler do i gain power? and if so how much power? does the size matter? how big should i go? if i go too big will the stock turbo be too small?
i really appriciate all the help.

 

with a stock turbo and stock or slightly above stock boost, i say stick with the stock intercooler. adding a front mount with the stock turbo at near stock boost will create more lag and hurt more than it helps.

 

To put it simply, you will notice a small gain in HP running stock boost, but will have some throttle lag.

More importantly than core size, is flow characteristics. I say invest your money in a good quality cooler from a well known/tested company. The end tank design is pretty important too. As NOPR said, if your planning on keeping boost under 12psi, the factory top mount will be sufficient. If you do go higher on the boost, a front mount might be needed. But before you need that front mount, you'll need to upgrade lots of things before you can up the boost (for reliability sakes). The stock turbo is good for up to 16psi before it runs outta puff (correct me if I'm wrong)

Shorter piping will help counter out lag obviously, which is why the top mount is pretty efficient (in throttle lag anyway). Just make sure your fins are straight on your factory top mount, you should be fine.

 

a smaller diameter of piping and a frontmount should be fine with stock turbo, sure there is more volume to fill for the turbo, but if you think about it, it is not a whole lot. thus quicker spooling and better air cooling. so a front mount on stock turbo setup is not a bad way to go. of course you probably wouldnt be running a front mount on stock boost levels. if you have an FCD, a fuel controller and a wideband, i'd say go for it

 

Find "Maximum Boost" by Corky Bell and READ IT.


-Ted

 

If fixed two guys Front Mount IC's that created moster lag already.... both of them were decent flow E-Bay cores... but BOTH of them still had the stoock turbo, one was using 3" IC pipe and the other was using 2.5" pipe..

MY best advice, with the stock turbo.. is to keep the IC pipes at 2" diameter.. with bigger pipe, the volume of air between the turbo and the T-Body to much for the stock turbo to keep up with... it takes forever for it to build boost and by the time it does, you'r in the upper R's where the boost is going to drop off anyway..

Logic dictates that you get a BIG, Free Flowing IC.... Well, you want Free flowing, BUT... A BIG IC with the stock turbo is a waste of money..... Get an NPR IC or move the stock one up front until you upgrade your turbo!!! In saying that... I know there are going to be some "Greedy" FMIC guys jump all over me... Just stop... Im not saying don't get that IC... I'm just saying don't expect a nuclear explosion of power by putting it on if everything else is still stock!!!!!!