The Z1 SMIC design is another one of our pursuits to develop competitive products with
attributes in performance and pricing to set it above the rest.
While our primary concerns are with the performance of the intercooler, one design
element that had a lot of our focus was on fitment of the intercoolers; we found that other
cores presented issues in this department such as interference with turn signal lights and
lack of fitment with stock ducting. The Z1 intercoolers bolt-up to stock brackets as well as
use the stock ducting to maintain good airflow through the core. Without a duct, an
intercooler in the side mount position is going to have compromised airflow due to the fact
that the charcoal canister, radiator reservoir, and wheel well liner are all acting as barriers -
with the ducting in place, the high-speed ram effect being routed directly into the core face will
force air through the core even with these objects close behind it. Maintaining the factory
ducting keeps the new intercoolers efficient as well as the costs of expensive aftermarket ducting
down.
With large gains in power output over the stock units in our dyno testing, the differences
in power output between Stillen, Greddy, HKS, and Z1 intercoolers yielded the fact that they
provide similar gains, even though the Z1 set was near the top. There are other cheaper "ebay"
Z32 intercoolers now on the market, however they lack the substantial core volume and core
quality of the other respected choices on the market. So we recommend choosing from
respected brands based on the variables of fitment and price when selecting a SMIC set. We
are wholesale distributors for the other respected brands and will sell you any intercoolers you
may choose. However, with the best fitment available, while maintaining one of the largest core
volumes and the best retail price of the bunch, we think the choice is clear.
There are two main reasons upgraded intercoolers are beneficial. The ability to flow a higher
volume of air through them and the ability to cool that air (intake charge) down at the higher volumes.
On a modified 300ZX TT upgraded intercoolers replace a restriction in the intake tract (stock
intercoolers). Stock ICs were designed for the flow produced by stock turbos at around 10 psi. As
flow increases, whether it be turning up the boost on stock turbos with an ECU upgrade or upgrading
to our GT675RS turbo kit, the amount of restriction increases also. Replacing this restrictive stock
units with the Z1 SMIC kit results in power gains which are proportional to the increase in flow rate.
The illustration below shows the dimensions of each core used in the the Z1 SMIC kit.
Z1 SMIC Core Dimensions Cold Flow = 4.5" Hot Flow = 8.0" No Flow = 7.25"
Replacing the restrictive stock intercoolers with our larger higher flowing units means increased
performance even at the stock turbos level, with gains tested at around 15rwhp & 20rwtq. Gains
with upgraded turbos ranging from 40-60rwhp and even more as the stock intercoolers become more
and more of a restriction as power levels increase. We've used the Z1 intercoolers effectively on Z32s
producing over 700hp. It is possible to flow as much volume of air though stock intercoolers but it will
take more pressure to do so and the intake charge will not be cooled as well. Which means your
motor/turbos are having to work harder, and getting fed hotter air which writes a recipe for detonation.
The more you are able to cool the intake charge coming from the turbos the more power you are
going to make and the less likely you are to have problems with detonation. So not only is the Z1
SMIC kit of benefit to performance but also to the safety and reliability of your power plant. You can
make more power on our upgraded intercoolers and while actually making it easier on your engine and
turbos. You will make more power at the same boost levels, but because your intake charge will be
cooled more than it is with the stock ICs you can also turn up the boost higher while staying in the safe
zone below where any detonation might occur.
See the online INSTALLATION MANUAL with pictures and instructions.
The dyno chart below displays the results of back to back runs on a Stage 3 Twin Turbo before and after
installing the Z1 SMIC kit.
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