Intercooler Kits

Is your intake air getting too hot when your project runs higher boost than stock? An intercooler kit combines the cooler, piping and typically the mounting parts in one set for a specific car, so you don't have to combine individual parts yourself. The kits are for turbocharged or supercharged engines.

What an intercooler kit does

Compressed air gets hot, and hot air contains less oxygen per litre. The intercooler cools the charge air before it reaches the engine, which can give more stable power and less risk of knock at high boost. In a kit, the cooler and charge air pipes are designed to fit together, e.g. in Skunk2's kit for the Honda Civic 1.5T or the front mount kit from AMS Performance for the Nissan R35 GT-R. If you are only looking for the cooler itself, you'll find it under intercoolers.

How to choose an intercooler kit

Size alone does not determine performance. Weigh several factors together:

• Cooling capacity: depends on the core design, frontal area and the airflow through the front.
• Pressure drop: a very dense or long core and many bends in the piping can cost boost and give slower response.
• Space: check clearance to the bumper, radiator and any sensors before you order.
• Power goals: choose based on what your project needs to handle now and in the future.

Brands in the category include Mishimoto, do88, Wagner Tuning, GReddy and HKS. Kits for your specific car can be found under vehicle-specific intercooler kits.

Installation and maintenance

Check the fitment of the specific part number against your car and model year. Some kits may require modification of the bumper or adjustment of the engine management. Retighten the hose clamps after the first few drives, and regularly check for oil in the pipes and dirt in the core fins. Clamps, couplers and hoses can be found under intercooler accessories.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an intercooler kit and a standalone intercooler?

A kit typically contains the cooler and piping designed for a specific car, while a standalone intercooler is just the cooler itself. With a standalone cooler, you have to source the pipes, couplers and mounting yourself.

Can an intercooler kit be approved for road use?

It depends on the product and the car. Check the documentation for the specific part number, and find out whether the modification needs to be registered or inspected. If the kit affects the design of the front or the engine management, this can be relevant.

Why can there be oil in the intercooler?

A little oil mist from the crankcase ventilation can typically collect in the pipes and cooler. Larger amounts can be caused by turbo wear or faulty ventilation and should be investigated before you install a new kit.