anyone run a wrx intercooler?

[PIMking]

I have a friend the just got a fmic for his wrx. so is it possible to run his stock intercooler as a fmic?

 

[ApexVIII]

I have a friend the just got a fmic for his wrx. so is it possible to run his stock intercooler as a fmic?

you know how they are right? it has 2 inlest at the back bottom and on inlet at the middle front. i really really really, dont think it would.

 

[9d2TSi]

Really not worth your time. It's design sucks, and it's just really too small to effectively cool aything....

 

[GofaST4life]

Really not worth your time. It's design sucks, and it's just really too small to effectively cool aything....

witch is why alot if not all the subi guys go to a big front mount....

 

[9d2TSi]

Actually, I just went with a bigger top mount.

Unfortunately for us, we have alot longer piping for a fmic, so it's not usually the best alternative. Depending on turbo choice of course.

Just wrapping my downpipe lessened my underhood temps alot, so I don't worry too much about heatsoaking my new tmic.

Well, not to mention the fact that it's huge....

But, to get back on track, I guess you "could" do it. But you'll have a lot of funky piping angles and I can't really see how you'd really gain anything power-wise from it.

 

[haioku-rocket]

Actually, I just went with a bigger top mount.

Unfortunately for us, we have alot longer piping for a fmic, so it's not usually the best alternative. Depending on turbo choice of course.

Just wrapping my downpipe lessened my underhood temps alot, so I don't worry too much about heatsoaking my new tmic.

Well, not to mention the fact that it's huge....

But, to get back on track, I guess you "could" do it. But you'll have a lot of funky piping angles and I can't really see how you'd really gain anything power-wise from it.

You will see big benefits going to front mount. Had a friend that originally went big top mount on his scoob, had the car tuned, and ended up changing to a front mount and some other minor things on the advice of the tuner. Got the car remapped and was able to extract another 20+ WHP out of the car, and it wasn't just peak numbers it was more power everwhere. The IAT's were significantly lower as you can imagine. Bottom line after spending thousands of dollars on piping and top mount/front mount kits is a top mount is a waste of time and money, and yes no matter how much you heatwrap your pipes your still going to heatsoak (my friend tried everything)... Last time I spoke to him and saw the dyno sheet he ended up making 370 ish WHP on a 20g-06... Which is pretty good numbers for a scoob IMO on pump with alcohol.

As far as worring about pipping and lag. I wouldn't. If you actually calculate the amount of time it takes to fill the extra piping, you are talking about split seconds of a difference. Hardly (if any) noticeable. If people are worried about lag with a front mount they need to look somewhere else.

 

[PIMking]

All right. I really want a front mount but do not want to remove my fog lamps.

 

[greddyturbo19]

All right. I really want a front mount but do not want to remove my fog lamps.

i have a greddy 24v front mount intercooler and i have my foglights. i have aftermarket ones tho.

 

[Hideki]

you keep your foglights with the GReddy 24V FMIC, it's a nice intercooler but the long IC pipes is the only downside I found.

 

[BoostedinSoFla]

Yeah, but I think he has a 1G so it's a whole different ballgame since Greddy doesn't make FMIC's for 1G's. You can take a look at the Punishment Racing kit, I think those allow you to keep your fogs.

 

[Boost92awd]

Yeah, but I think he has a 1G so it's a whole different ballgame since Greddy doesn't make FMIC's for 1G's. You can take a look at the Punishment Racing kit, I think those allow you to keep your fogs.

Yes they allow you to keep your fog lights, well atleast the budget FMIC does. Its probally the best intercooler kit for 1G's under $500.

 

[PIMking]

Im also a little worried about a rock getting thrown thru the fmic. is that normal?

 

[iandsm77]

honestly just get a core like SSAC has and fab up custom piping. Thats what I did and it was cheaper and plus its SHORT route piping too but i got my piping custom from a really good shop so it came out nice. Look at my pics, I dont have anything protecting the front from anything and havent gotten anything stuck in there or damaged. A couple bars or whatnot may bend from some slight things hitting it but its ok as long as it doesnt cause a leak or rip.

 

[rarson]

SSAC cores are ****. If you like throwing money away, buy Chinese knock-off crap.

I take it you didn't bother to check inside that intercooler when you got it? Maybe you got lucky. Maybe you got a heat exchanger. You never know (which is why I would never buy one).

 

[haioku-rocket]

Im also a little worried about a rock getting thrown thru the fmic. is that normal?

if you settle on a bar and plate intercooler you will not have to worry about it, they are very strong. You can have cars throw rocks at it all day. Will not dent or ding it. Tube and fin intercoolers are a bit more fragile and tend to bend as easy as radiator fins...However I still wouldnt worry too much to be honest.