Where will the difference be? What are the pros and cons? I'm looking for something that can tow once and a while and gets decent mileage on the road. Will it matter much for me? Can I add one on later for a reasonable price?

 

just get the intercooled version, it will cost less now than adding one later

 

The only prob with the Intercooled trucks is that they have more computer controled things. Although to some people this is a bonus, I on the other hand just think its more to go wrong and more expensive to fix. I think an intercooler could be added for $1000.

Both non and intercooled trucks get about the same mileage.

 

If I were to do it again, I'd get an intercooled 1st gen to begin with. Forrest is right, it will cost more in the long run, than if you started with an IC'd model.

 

An intercooler can be added for ALOT less than $1000.
Trust me.
If you have the option, though, I would go for the factory intercooled variety.
This would be for convenience, if nothing else.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe there's anything more computer-controlled on IC 1st Gen vs non-IC. My '92 "computer" controls the Rear ABS and Voltage Regulator.
Or at least it did before I swapped in a D80 (haven't figured out the ABS changeover yet...) and a $12 voltage regulator (from a '91) when the in-computer-unit croaked. Does my computer do ANYTHING these days?

Not to mention intercooled will get the most out of your BOMB's... take that hot (with pressure comes heat) charge from your turbo, and turn it into a cold, pressurized charge. Cold air = dense air = better fuel utilization.

 

The computer controls all the little electric gizmos in the later trucks, not sure if its all intercooled or just the real late ones like 93. I can't think of the random things it controls. Maybe il do a search...

Non-ic's have larger injectors, and had the option of 3.07 gears, I thought i heard somewhere that the non ic ip are better too but im not sure about that.

 

If you're shooting for 300-ish rwhp on a budget, a non-ic truck is the ticket, due mostly to a bigger factory injector. Above 300-ish USEABLE rwhp, an intercooler is required equipment. If you're on this website, you're going to want more power than a non-ic setup will support, trust me on this one...as for the computer, it controls aux things like the alternator etc. It throws a crank sensor into the mix which can give overdrive trannys fits when not functioning properly. For the most part, I say embrace the technology as it seems to be working for millions of other drivers. As for me? I'll keep my street-legal farm tractor, thanks

 

i think the non ic trucks are just fine, if you are not looking for huge Hp numbers. I am right at 300 hp and dont have and IC but i am planning to put one on because I am looking for more Hp. If you plan on just doing some pump tweaks it dosnt matter either way. But the IC would be nice.

 

Marv, it sounds like for your purpose it will not make much difference which one you get. Try to get a decent truck for a decent price and don't worry too much about the intercooler.

 

2 identical trucks, same price, one intercooled, the other non cooled. Id prob go intercooled. HOWEVER, I have pulled some monster loads, decent miles on all types of roads, with no intercooler and havent had a problem yet. Up until January, I was hauling heavy everyday, and never had any heat problems on the pyro. I since then have done some mods where Ill have to be glued to the pyrometer, but im not too worried. Like mentioned. if you want to start cranking heavy on your fuel screw, etc a NON-IC truck is gonna heat up faster than an IC'ed truck will. Best thing that helped me was opening up to a 4" straight exhaust and installing a BHAF(see tech section) It dropped the pyro fast.

 

ditto, when I switched to 4" straight pipe after the dp with the BHAF I can't see anywhere close to 900 anymore with my settings... I have the pump set at the point right before the rpm starts to go up like a gasser. in other words the throttle is like a governor and you can set the rpm like a tractor all the way up to 3000 or so... without rpm flare I guess would be a good term

 

Couldn't you always use water injection to take the place of an intercooler? I've always planned on doing that as a more "elegant" and "cleaner" solution. Does the same thing, right?

Not having an intercooler also makes fabricating twins twice as easy, I figure...

 

Ah, but water/meth and an intercooler is better yet.

For a play truck it doesn't really make much difference unless you are trying to outdo KTA and Stomp. The non intercooled trucks are plenty fun.

 

Can't you inject more water without an intercooler than with an intercooler, though?


I just didn't want an intercooler because I didn't want something else to worry about leaking and blowing up and routing intake-pipe into. This way I don't have something else I have to upgrade someplace down the line, right?



(But can you inject more water into a non-intercooled truck than an intercooled truck? I have to think of a reason why that's true... )