How to Install a 240SX SMIC

The SMIC intercooler in a 240SX is designed to cool outside air before its inducted into the fuel delivery system. Cool air has greater density than warm air, and you get maximum combustion performance in the cylinder heads with cooler air. If the engine suffers from reduced performance and you notice coolant leaking when the car is parked, its time to install a new SMIC. Obtain the unit at a speed shop or through an online accessory catalog. The job is not difficult and takes a relatively short time once the engine is cool.

Instructions

1

Raise the left side of the car with a floor jack or the 240SX jack. Install a jack stand under the main frame below the drivers door. Lower and remove the jack.

2

Place a drain pan under the drain plug at the underside of the radiator. Loosen and remove the plug with a metric socket and ratchet and drain the coolant into the pan. Slide the pan out of the way. Reinsert the plug and tighten it securely.

3

Locate the SMIC at the underside of the engine on the drivers side. Remove the screws that connect the oblong air-induction shroud to the front end of the SMIC intercooler body with a nut driver.

4

Use the nut driver to loosen the clamps at each end of the lower hose that connects between the aluminum intercooler tube and the temperature sensor on the engine. Pull the hose off and set it aside.

5

Loosen the clamp where the large coolant hose attaches at the forward end of the SMIC body. Push the end of the hose up to detach it from the body.

6

Remove the bolts from the SMIC brackets at the top and rear of the unit with a metric socket and ratchet. Save the bolts. Lower the unit out of the engine compartment with both hands.

7

Position the new SMIC in the engine compartment and fit the forward end into the fan shroud. Align the brackets on the unit with the mounts. Thread the original bolts into the brackets and mounts and tighten each securely.

8

Reach above the front of the unit and reattach the large coolant hose onto the hose fitting. Tighten the clamp securely.

9

Fit the original hose onto the fittings at the aluminum tube and the temperature sensor. Tighten the clamps. Connect the forward end of the SMIC to the air-induction shroud with the original screws.

10

Raise the engine hood. Remove the coolant filler cap and fill the system with coolant. Reattach the filler cap.

11

Start the engine and allow it to idle for five minutes to open the thermostat and allow coolant to circulate through the SMIC. If you notice coolant leaking below the unit, shut off the engine and tighten the hose clamps. Otherwise, raise the side of the car with the jack and remove the jack stand.