Any thoughts on wrx intercoolers

[georryan]

I would highly recommend getting an intercooler before boost is raised past 10 psi or so. It might not be too bad for the engine, but its nice to have it there so that you really dont have to worry about detonation. A nice simple 93-96 WRX air-air intercooler should fit relatively easy (at least compared to a air-water intercooler).

Yeah that's what I've been reading.

What do you know of as far as the installation for a 2000+ intercooler, similar to ones going up for sale on ebay these days? Will they fit ok? Would it work better if I welded shut the y and opened it up on the side?

-Ryan
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[DLC]

They don't fit very well because they're really quite huge. A guy posted an install writeup with pics on i-club with details about what had to be done just to get it to fit in, and it wasn't at all simple.

IIRC, removal of the A/C was mandatory, as the piping that runs parallel to the firewall was in the way.

The early IC's fit reasonably well, if you can fashion a connection between the turbo and the intercooler and keep it from smashing into the coolant tank.

Dave

[Sir Yach-o]

The problem I saw with a top-mount air-air setup was the lack of a real hood scoop on our cars. Granted, ANY intercooler, whether or not it's sealed under the hood, will do something. It's just naturally gonna be more efficient if you've got plenty of outside air flowing throguh the heat exchanger. I.E., the WRX always had a big scoop.

I went with air-water, and although it was a process, I'm very impressed with it.

-mike

[georryan]

hmm, I thought the 2002 would fit better than that. Glad I talked to you guys.

So does anyone know were I can get a hold of a 93-96 wrx intercooler?
-Ryan

[georryan]

Oh, I forgot to mention, I have an intercooler from a 87 t-bird. I got it off ebay and it will fit I think, but the only problem is that the holes (inlet and outlet) I are both a little small I think. Trying to adapt my be a little tough. The fit would be pretty tight though.

Have you guys needed to build some kind of bracket or anything to hold it in place, or have they pretty much stayed in place on their own. What has your experience been?

-Ryan

[Sir Yach-o]

Well, I had to fabricate brackets for my water IC. You'll probably want something to hold it there.

I got my water IC off of the Liberty RS from Shore City Engines in New Zealand. They specialize in Japanese cars, and it was no problem for them to get everything I wanted. Plus, I got it all for $220 shipped. Not bad at all, IMO. I imagine they can get you a top mount IC off of a 93-96 rex. Here's some info:

Darryl & Dru Chamley - darryl@shorecityengines.co.nz

I negotiated with them entirely by email, never actually talked to them over the phone, and everything went smooth, and it came in a timely fashion. much recommended.

-mike

[georryan]

Thanks for the info. I like the idea of you water IC, I just don't know if I have all the rescources to do all the work it would take to get it installed after reading you info on how you installed it.

-Ryan

[Aaron's ej22t]

air-air is definately easier to setup, but i think i will go with the water/air ic. i don't mind losing the ac, as i rarely use it anyway. i like fressh air!
anyway, i will probably do setup like that of sir yacho. if i did air-air, i would also do a custom water spray kit. alon with it.

[Sir Yach-o]

The water IC can be done using the stock IC rad from the Liberty right in front of the A/C condenser, if you want to keep the AC. It does require some modification to make it fit though. (the USDM legacy has got some "fins" in front of the condenser that would need to be removed) The reason I went with the option of removing my A/C and using the condenser was I didn't use the A/C, the condenser obviously already fit well, it was bigger (almost 2x) than the stock IC rad, I didn't have to buy it, and the A/C removal did provide a little bit of weight reduction (every little bit helps, and that compressor's a mother!)

As for the flow of the condenser, it flows just fine. Moves water real easy.

-mike

[91White-T]

I've got a saab intercooler that fits amazingly well with a little modification. All I had to do was cut a little (maybe 1/4") off the outlet, and make a pipe going from the turbo outlet to the i/c inlet. Also, the bottom of the hood scoop was removed, and I got rid of that turbo-chimney thing (i/c fits fine with it in place though). The only drawback is that if you want to keep the BOV, it'll have to be placed elsewhere.
This is the one:

[georryan]

What kind of SAAB intercooler did you get? Do you know how well it works? What it is rated to?

-Ryan

[91White-T]

What kind of SAAB intercooler did you get?

I think it's from a late 80's 900 or 9000 turbo.

Do you know how well it works? What it is rated to?

-Ryan

I couldn't tell you. It did make a noticeable difference though, and I'm not getting any detonation at up to 13psi.

[subiekid]

so would be be best to get the ac compressor off the intercooled legacy? what all do i need to make this a straight bolt on? this is in my 95 legacy with my ej22T transplant. there is lesss room in the 95 then in the 92. How exactly does the water cooled incercooler work? does it have a tank to hold extra collant? does it have a motor that circulates collent in and out of the ic? how much weight will this add?