I just got off the phone with a guy from vortech and he was tellin me that an after or intercooler is not nessacary if your running low boost like 8-10 lbs does this seem right?

 

I don't know about 8-10lbs, but there are SC and turbo kits that don't have an intercooler. I always thought the intercooler wasn't necessary at all, but it makes more power by cooling the compressed air.

 

It's not 'neccessary' to do it but I challenge you to call any reputable S197 shop and ask them what they think and all of them will recommend it.

For the savings it is not worth the risk IMO. Especially with the weak bottom end we have. I would consider a non-intercooled kit on a s/c with very low boost levels (around 6 psi) anything over that, I think the intercooled is the way to go IMO. In fact, the non-intercooled kit from vortech comes complete making about 6-7 psi. Ask yourself why that is if it can easily handle 8-10? The H/O kit from vortech as it comes will produce about 9-10 psi.

Like I said, forget what a manufacturer is telling you. Call around to some big shops who builds lot's of S197's and get their advice.

 

8CYLPOWER,

If you are going to spend that much money on a supercharger, do it right and get the intercooler. Trust me, you won't regret it it at all!

Fordfanboy is correct, if you ask any reputable shop, they will recommend you get it.



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It seems to me that everyone posting so far are correct including your vortech guy (except I think 8-10 lbs might be pushing the envelope in defining "low boost" before you "need" an intercooler). Intercoolers do not increase HP; the cooler air will, however, allow the engine to run more ignition advance and/or more boost on a given octane. But after having said that, I personally would prefer an intercooler, and use one even at the 4-5 lbs boost I'm currently running.