My dad has an early WRX intercooler fitted to his US model Legacy Turbo. This is the IC that fits at an obvious angle and is fed by a single plastic pipe, into a triangular fitting from underneath. To fit this to his car, he's had to hack off the end of the pipe and clamp around this plastic pipe. Seems likely to fail to me.

I suggested he look for an aluminum version of this pipe, hack the end off, and clamp around this more solid piece of pipe.

Did the STi models use the intercooler I'm describing, and if so, did they replace the plastic pipe w/an aluminum version? Assuming my theory is correct, where can I get the replacement alumimum pipe?

Thanks!

Joel

 

Joel,

Early Sti's were fitted with the same style IC that you describe (although slightly larger than the standard WRX ones), but they were not fitted with aluminum pipe.

I can see no reason why your dad's method shouldn't work providing the clamp is air tight.

Simon