Air/Water intercooler on USDM legacy turbo?

Tommio RS · Post by **Tommio RS** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 11:46 pm

Hi! I have i have a 1993 Legacy Turbo and its dying for an intercooler.
I have been checking out all the types of intercoolers you guys run EX: WRX, Forester XT, and the Saab 900... and i was wondering if it is any easier to run the Air/water intercooler from a JDM car? Cuz i really dont feel like doing a whole lot of relocating and that setup seems to look a bit for friendly. So bottem line, can i run that air/water intercooler in my legacy turbo? and how much performace can i gain from it?

555BCTurbo · Post by **555BCTurbo** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:50 am

I have an AWIC in mine...and it works great

Tommio RS · Post by **Tommio RS** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:26 pm

Cool. very cool. Now how hard is it in install to my 93 legacy turbo? All i know is that i need 3 parts to make it work. The AWIC itself and a pump of sorts and a mini radiator like thing. I hope there not much more than that. OOO and i forgot. how much would a set up like that cost me? for it to be all said and done?

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:43 pm

If you want to run some decent power, you might want to get a separate reservoir also. It's tough to say how much it would cost as the AWIC units are auction items usually and unless you can get the whole system, you'll have to source the pump and heat exchanger yourself. Josh has one on his and I think he's running a larger reservoir also.

Post by **Legacy777** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:15 pm

If you search there's some more info. Please take a look at a couple of my threads for more info.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic. ... light=awic

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic. ... light=awic

An A/A IC is going to be easier to install. Trust me.

Tommio RS · Post by **Tommio RS** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 8:47 pm

Hmmm it does seem a wee bit difficult but it does seem worth it. I really like the stockish look it give off. My goal for my legacy it to get 200Hp to 250Hp give or take. I would be totally happy with 200HP! And i really like the fact of having low end power over top end. I love the torque i have! and the intercooler should raise them numbers up a bit. So now my question is it worth the time for the AWIC or just a WRX/Forester Xt intercooler.

PS: which is the easiest one out there? there is soo many takes one whats easy!

Thanks!

Post by **Legacy777** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 8:58 pm

The AWIC setup will cost you more money....there's just more components involved.

I tend to be a perfectionist with fitment and making sure everything fits well. Others don't have that same attitude, which is fine. But without knowing how you are, and your fabrication/modification skills, it'd be a little difficult to say which is better.

The AWIC setup is nice, especially for city driving, and does not appear to have the massive heat soak issues like the TMIC does.

Tommio RS · Post by **Tommio RS** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:34 pm

Hmmm very interesting. Well then i have read around that the Saab 900 intercooler is one of the easiest intercoolers out there to install. I do really like the AWIC setup idea but it seems to have a high price. Even on ebay the air/water intercooler itself cost over 100 min not to mention that ill need the rad and pump to go with it. So my new question is, What about the Saab 900 intercooler? is it any good? will i get the job done? and it seems to be much cheaper for my budget.

Thanks!!

SubaruNation · Post by **SubaruNation** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:54 pm

i think in the end you're going to be spending about 150 on everything MINIMUM.

no matter what intercooler you choose to install.

Tommio RS · Post by **Tommio RS** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 12:22 am

$150 for everything is good with me. I keep on finding Saab 900 intercooler for really cheap are they any good for a legacy turbo?

SubaruNation · Post by **SubaruNation** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 12:25 am

dont do the saab 900.

get a 06/07 wrx/forester top mount intercooler.
it will save you alot of hassle and time.

easy to install too

Tommio RS · Post by **Tommio RS** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 12:28 am

Okay. That seems to be the better idea . Also it will look mucho better than the Saab one! and a Wrx/ For XT intercooler will work fine with my stock VF11 turbo?

SubaruNation · Post by **SubaruNation** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 1:43 am

yeah, i'm running it right now.
you'll need a 90* hose (radiator or silicon) with an ID of 1.75 AND some kind of 45* mandrel bent metal pipe.

Tommio RS · Post by **Tommio RS** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:24 am

K. Well the WRX intercooler is easy to find and seems to be a good option but, the AWIC from a JDM legacy just seems to look like a more tight clean package. I would lean toward running the AWIC over the WRX because that looks more sleeper to me. OOO last question. What has better cooling around the city? Thats where i will be running it the most.

PS: I am running a 4EAT not a 5MT

Thanks!

stipro · Post by **stipro** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:20 am

Tomio RS wrote: What has better cooling around the city? That's where i will be running it the most.

PS: I am running a 4EAT not a 5MT

Thanks!

The AWIC would be better than an air to air intercooler around town and especially in stop and go traffic. They are less prone to heat soak. The air to air IC is susceptible to heat soak,from the exhaust and under hood temps, caused by sitting for periods of time without air movement across the intercooler.

555BCTurbo · Post by **555BCTurbo** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:36 am

Here's what my setup looks like...

SubaruNation · Post by **SubaruNation** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:46 am

isn't installing one of those WAY harder though?

Tommio RS · Post by **Tommio RS** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:16 pm

Dude that looks sweet! Do you run a 5MT or a 4EAT? Do you run the stock turbo? It looks like it was born to be there! I love it! I think i will might have to get one.

serious now... is it really that difficult? I would totally do that setup if its not to hard.

PS: i see that you removed the AC from your car! guess ya didnt need it anyways... well i sure dont. my compressor is sezed

555BCTurbo · Post by **555BCTurbo** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:48 am

Tommio RS wrote:Dude that looks sweet! Do you run a 5MT or a 4EAT? Do you run the stock turbo? It looks like it was born to be there! I love it! I think i will might have to get one.

My car is a 5 speed, and the turbo is a VF8...

It fits perfectly

Tommio RS · Post by **Tommio RS** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:40 pm

OOO nice. With that intercooler, turbo and probably a turbo back combo your probably getting dam good power compared to stock! I totally wish i had the money for that now.

Another quick question!
Your VF8 when does the power come on? My quick guess is a little bit later than the stock.

555BCTurbo · Post by **555BCTurbo** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:43 pm

Tommio RS wrote:OOO nice. With that intercooler, turbo and probably a turbo back combo your probably getting dam good power compared to stock! I totally wish i had the money for that now.

Another quick question!
Your VF8 when does the power come on? My quick guess is a little bit later than the stock.

Yeah...it shits and gets pretty well...

The turbo is usually at full boost before 4000 rpm...but I also run it pretty hard...

15 psi can usually be had around 3000 rpm for me with the VF8

Tommio RS · Post by **Tommio RS** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:49 pm

Dam... 4000rpm. Thats kinda high but the fact that you get 15psi at 3000rpm is what im looking at! I love the low end power. So how much power do you have with this setup? I would love to know what kinda power my car can acctually handle!

Now i wonder is it possiable to get crazy low end power out of my legacy?

555BCTurbo · Post by **555BCTurbo** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:53 pm

Tommio RS wrote:So how much power do you have with this setup?

Not a clue...all I know is that it makes me smile

Tommio RS · Post by **Tommio RS** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:56 pm

Lol. K. Thats still whickass man. Well all this info is gold to me! Now i just need to pick up some stuff and start creating!

stipro · Post by **stipro** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:03 pm

Just a quick question regarding the turbo to intercooler y-pipe, what are you using? home made or stock or both? Any pics?

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Air/Water intercooler on USDM legacy turbo?

Air/Water intercooler on USDM legacy turbo?