Dyno 3: HKS S-Type Intercooler, Blow-Off Valve and Braille Auto Racing Battery
Pros
People say bigger isn't always better, but compared to the stock side-mount intercooler, bigger is definitely better. The HKS S-Type intercooler's fitment is so specific each generation of Silvia has its own part number when it comes to power-adding components. Although many parts can be interchangeable, HKS managed to squeeze out vehicle-specific parts that make a notable difference and warrant their own part numbers. The addition of the intercooler made 202 peak hp and 192.6 lb-ft of peak torque. We saw gains between 10 and 15 hp between 5500 and 6800 rpm and up to 18 lb-ft of torque between 4500 and 6500 rpm. Also, the charge pipe kit with Super Sequential blow-off valve installs easily and mates right up to the intercooler piping. This makes for a uniform appearance in the engine bay.
Cons
Anyone would cringe at the idea of cutting one's car body, but to use this intercooler, one has to. The hard piping has to come from the passenger side to the intake manifold, and the straightest pathway is through the battery tray. Be prepared to cut the bumper reinforcement and the lower section of the bumper cover to accommodate the intercooler core. A lot of cutting, but so worthwhile!
Notes
Upgrading from an intercooler the size of a phone book to one the size of four phone books implies greater cooling area and volume, but a potential for pressure drop. This intercooler performed so well you couldn't see any signs of pressure drop in the horsepower curve, and the boost curve seemed unaffected by the increased volume. Also, the increased cooling capacity impacted the mid to high side of the rpm scale where the turbo is holding its maximum boost. When you are boosting, you are compressing the air, which becomes hot. This is why an intercooler is especially important when tuning a high-boost application. We also had a choice of relocating the stock battery to the trunk or switching to a smaller one. With very few batteries small enough to fit, we chose the Braille Auto racing battery. Weighing only 11.5 pounds, it shaves weight and gets the job done. It's about one-third the size of the stock battery and fits perfectly in the battery tray next to the intercooler piping.
Air Temperature
78 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature difference from previous run: -2 degrees Fahrenheit
Tools
10- and 14mm socket, ratchet, extension, 10- and 14mm wrench, 5/16-inch socket, Phillips screw driver, razor or knife, electric or pneumatic cutting tool (to cut the battery tray, bumper reinforcement and bumper cover) and lots of patience
Parts
Intercooler, hard piping, blow-off valve, silicone hoses, hose clamps, vacuum lines, hardware, instructions and Braille Auto racing battery
Installation Time
120 to 180 minutes
Dyno 3: HKS S-Type Intercooler, Blow-Off Valve and Braille Auto Racing Battery
Horsepower: 202.0
Torque: 192.6
| 2000 to 3500 HP range: 0 to 5 | 2000 to 3500 TQ range: -1 to 14 |
| 3500 to 5500 HP range: 0 to 10 | 3500 to 5500 TQ range: 2 to 18 |
| 5500 to red line HP range: 9 to 16 | 5500 to red line TQ range: 10 to 18 |
| Peak HP 202.0 | Peak TQ 192.6 |
By Richard Fong
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