A local import shop dealer who I'm getting my HRC stage 1 from (he helped me get a group buy-in) says that a stage 1 is a total waste of money and that I won't be happy with it because it's going to break if I run it too hard without an intercooler. I've been doing a lot of research and coming here a lot. I figure I'm fine if I only run it at 5 psi. Is this guy crazy or am I in trouble? I don't understand why not having an intercooler would hurt the turbo, I just thought it made the air denser so I could boost more.

the intercooler cools the incomming air which cuts down dramatically on heat which saves your engine, your turbo is going to run hot anyways, the intercooler goes after the turbo, it's u're engine that is in jeapordy. i live in florida where it is VERY hot most of the time, so in my opinion it wouldn't be wise to get a stage1 here, but it may be fine where you are

In a perfect world, they wouldnt sell turbo kits without intercoolers. your EGT's will skyrocket at 5psi compared to 5psi intercooled. intake air will be MUCH cooler with the IC, making your engine much happier. its ultimately up to you, but i personally wouldnt buy a kit until i can afford to get an intercooler with it.

Your friend may not fully realize the dynamics of turbocharging and compressor outlet temperatures. At low boost pressures such as Stage I level of 5-6 PSI, the air the turbocharger is delivering to the engine is not much warmer than ambient (outside) temperature.

However, as boost pressure is increased, the compressor outlet temperature rises proportionately. This is why we need an intercooler to run at the higher boost of 8-9 PSI on a Stage II.

Would an intercooler benefit a Stage I at low boost pressure? Only very slightly, since there is not much heat to remove.

These concepts, as applied in our turbosystems, are time-proven and dependable. If he doesn't believe the experts, his mind may be too far closed to correctly process information previously unknown to him (technical term: hard-headed).

Boost It!
Bill Hahn Jr.

The stage I HRC kit has a 7lb spring. You will be running 7lbs without an intercooler but the air doesnt need much cooling til after that so it is no big deal. Once you get the intercooler, since most have a 2lb pressure drop, you will need some sort of boost controller to run more than 5lbs.

>>>Once you get the intercooler, since most have a 2lb pressure drop, you will need some sort of boost controller to run more than 5lbs. <<<

Just run the WG vac line from the intake manifold and you don't need a boost controller.

wow a reply from hrc....cool

The 'Venger in your sig looks pretty cool too! Congrats for picking a car that is different enough to be exceptional.

Bill

well when I was good ol stage 1 the engine bay sure got really hot. it's wierd cuz your always checking how hot your car gets and stuff, your always touching the intake pipe. But yeah 5 psi won't kill your engine, I autox'd mine during a heatwave and it took it alright. But the intercooler does make a big difference, the car just seems to like it, wish I had an EGT gauge when I was stage 1 so I can compare to now I'm sure it would be much higher.

Bill, whats gonna REALLY get ya it that turbosrule has a SEBRING, not a 'venge ;)

>Bill, whats gonna REALLY get ya it that turbosrule has a
>SEBRING, not a 'venge ;)

u serious?

Sebring w/ TC2 front, TC1 sides, Custom Fiberglass trends 4" Cowl hood, skyline style tails.... and its turbod... pretty badass sebring ;)

An IC not helping much at low boost??? WTF!! I was running 5 psi non IC'd on the HRC stage1, then got the 1g side mount IC in. Used a boost controller to keep it at 5 psi, and i FELT a good power increase with the IC on. Underhood temps arent what i would call ambient temperature. Since the air intake is right infront of the radiator, its pulling in a lot of very hot air, which is going to be made a little hotter by the turbo. An IC will help cool down the air charge to closer to outside ambient temps than no IC. I'm only saying this out of personal experience. Is it ok to run without an IC at low boost? Sure it is, but you're missing out on a little bit more power if you dont have one. And Bill, your cartach FPR is a piece of shit :rolleyes

So my engine won't be hurt at all, I just won't have that extra power? That's alright with me because the way I see it, I don't need an intercooler at low boost so why spend the extra money when I'm going to only run at 5 psi til the rebuild anyway?

...you got the idea