The GTR is Nissan’s legendary supercar with all-wheel drive, seating for four, a powerful V6 engine, and all the latest technologies. The iconic Nissan GTR R35 was launched at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2007 as a 2009 model, and has since received some design changes, suspension tuning, and performance upgrades. While the transformations were far from immense, sometimes you just don’t fix what isn’t broken. The GTR has stayed true to its power-driven DNA and tuner looks with a platform that is comfortable enough for daily driving something that is hard to match in the sports car realm. In essence, the Nissan GTR R35 is a supercar so unique and so intuitive, that it can be enjoyed by drivers of all levels.
When building the GTR R35, Nissan challenged convention at every point in its development process. Instead of a large and heavy engine that would be thirsty for fuel, the Nissan GTR is powered by an ideally sized, twin-turbocharged 3.8-L V6. The current model-year GTR R35 has a standard power output of 565 horsepower and 467 pound-feet of torque thanks to the turbochargers from the brand’s GT3 racing program. The NISMO models deliver an impressive 600 horsepower and 481 pound-feet of torque. Both variants boast power that is backed by 50 years of astonishing performance that make the Nissan GTR the legend it is today.
And all that power is a waste if the shift times are longer; because the more time a shift takes, the less time power is being put to the ground. Nissan avoided this issue with the GTR’s sequential dual-clutch transmission, which can deliver lightning-fast gear changes when thrown into R-Mode. But just as important as its power is the way in which it was assembled. Built with immense strength and stringent attention to detail, the assembly is all done by hand by a single master craftsman whose signature can be found on the small but prominent plaque.
One of the important parts of a turbocharged system is the intercooler. The intercooler (or charge-air cooler) is, in essence, a heat exchanger. It is an integral part of your vehicle’s performance as its job is to remove heat from the intake charge that is created during compression. In short, an intercooler cools down the air so that it does not negatively affect the air that your engine breathes. And we all know that when you keep your engine temperatures down (similar to a cold air intake), you are improving its overall efficiency and functionality at the same time.
If you are looking to get more out of your GTR, installing a bigger intercooler can help lower the temperature of the charged air and unleash newfound power. Below, we have listed the top 3 best intercooler options we offer for your Nissan GTR R35 based on factors like value, performance, and fitment. In addition to the products we have chosen, there are plenty of other choices out there which you browse through right here.
#1 HKS R-Type Intercooler Kit with Duct
The HKS Intercooler Kit for the Nissan GTR R35 is the ultimate intercooler for high-horsepower vehicles. It spotlights a highly efficient design combined with larger cores to deliver proven results. The larger capacity cores together with the carbon fiber air duct will greatly improve your GTR’s cooling performance. The carbon air guide works just as well as its premium looks suggest. Plus, even though the core has a larger capacity, the weight of the HKS intercooler unit is actually lighter than the stock one. To be exact, it reduces weight by four pounds. (Stock: 9.6kg/21 pounds, HKS Intercooler: 8.0kg/17 pounds)
This kit includes two intercooler cores with polished aluminum piping, blue HKS couplers, clamps, and a carbon fiber air duct shroud. It features a larger surface area and thinner 2.5-inch core to allow more air to flow through to the radiator and, thus, avoid overheating issues.
Features:
- Superior combination of cooling efficiency and reduced pressure drop
- Designed for circuit use with upgraded turbo performance
- Inner Fin triangular straight type for less pressure loss
- Outer Fin triangular louver type for high cooling efficiency
- Type-R versions feature polished aluminum piping
- Proven performance enhancements
- HKS Intercooler 447.7kw (608.6ps) / 6710rpm
- Stock Intercooler 438.6kw (596.3ps) / 6660rpm
Learn More and Get the HKS R-Type Intercooler Kit w/ Duct Here.
Learn More and Get the HKS R-Type Intercooler Kit w/o Duct Here.
#2 AMS Front Mount Intercooler Kit
The Alpha GTR R35 Front Mount Intercooler (FMIC) is one of the best performing and best-looking intercooler upgrades you can buy. It’s even got numerous 9-second time slips to back up that claim. This is the same durable, race-proven front mount intercooler used on the world record-setting AMS SR850 package (first 9-second GTR) and is most effective for GTRs that produce up to 1200 horsepower.
This intercooler features one-piece construction, which offers greater efficiency than the stock-style two-piece designs the competitors use. AMS’ one-piece design is also more aesthetically pleasing and incorporates the infamous brand logo on the front of your sports car to show the world that it’s anything but stock. Speaking of, this direct bolt-on intercooler has over 75 percent more internal flow area than its stock counterpart. It also works with your GTR’s stock piping and does not require any cutting or trimming to install. In fact, the Alpha FMIC bolts on so seamlessly and clean, you would think it was an OEM part from Nissan.
The AMS Front Mount Intercooler features cast aluminum end tanks for added durability. Designed by the AMS engineering team using Solidworks 3D CAD software, the A356 T6 alloy aluminum end tanks have improved flow over sheet metal end tanks. They also include integrated OEM location mounting brackets for an easy installation. The included custom-molded silicone couplers optimize airflow volume and velocity, which feed the larger 3-inch inlet and outlet ports and provide a seamless fit.
Features:
- One-piece construction surpasses the competition
- Hand TIG welded for perfect fitment
- 75% more internal flow area than stock
- 3″ inlet and outlet ports
- Precisely molded silicone couplers optimize airflow volume and velocity
- Will bolt up to stock piping or most aftermarket pipe kits designed for the stock intercooler
- Bar-and-plate intercooler core design
- OEM-like fit and finish
- Direct bolt-on requires NO cutting or trimming
- All AMS intercoolers are pressure tested after assembly to 50 psi
Learn More and Get the AMS Front Mount Intercooler Kit Here.
Learn More and Get the AMS Race Front Mount Intercooler Kit Here.
#3 ETS Street/Race Intercooler Upgrade
The Extreme Turbo Systems (ETS) Intercooler Upgrade is a direct bolt-on upgrade for your Nissan GTR R35. It features 36 charge rows – that’s 72 heat transfer plates! This gives the ETS intercooler more heat transfer area than any other competing product on the market. The ETS intercooler works very well for stock turbochargers running moderate to high boost, as well as bolt-on turbochargers. The ETS GTR Street Intercooler has internally offset and staggered fins. This is strategic so as charge air passes through the intercooler, it is forced to split multiple times to deliver cooler intake air temperatures. Cheaper intercoolers have straight-through internal fins, which results in hotter intake temperatures and poorer performance.
The external fin pack is also offset and staggered, but large enough to let air flow through to the car’s radiator. The ETS intercooler upgrade is perfect for a street or track car. If you plan on upgrading to a larger turbo setup (30R, 35R, 37R, etc.), we would recommend opting for the ETS GTR Race Intercooler, which is the largest intercooler on the market and includes 3-inch piping.
Features:
- Works with factory undertray
- Works with factory crash beam
- Triangled End Tanks (Excess welds cause fatigue to the metal, ETS minimizes welding)
- Direct Bolt-On. No cutting required for install.
- No extra piping or couplers needed.
- 36 charge rows / 72 heat transfer plates
- Made right here in the USA
- Backed by a Lifetime Warranty
- Thicker cores are available for high horsepower applications.
