When I bought my scooby (Second hand from a Subaru dealer) I didn't notice that some of the fins on the intercooler had been flattened by what looks like (from the impression) to be a hand. This must reduce the cooling effect and therefore power to some extent, especially in hot weather.
Can the fins be replaced / repaired without buying a new intercooler? Presumably an intercooler is constructed just like a radiator and certainly these can be rebuilt.
If it can be done any idea of the cost?
Do intercooler protector grilles reduce the efficiency of the intercooler?

 

My understanding is that damaged fins SERIOUSLY affect the performance of the intercooler. Spend five minutes (er hours actually) with a pair of tweezers straightening them out.

If you need to replace the intercooler why not take the opportunity to fit an HKS or similar uprated one ?

 

The best way to straighten the fins is with a tooth pick or something similar.

SIDC VP Dick Grimes brought his 99 into work, having picked up the car 20 minutes earlier. The damage done to the intercooler by the supplying dealer was so bad that it would have taken hours to straighten all the fins. I guessed that his IC was working on 50% efficiency at best. Hand prints were the cause.

The 99 and STi V cars have much finer fins, giving a massive increase in surface area, compared to older cars.

 

Mm..certinly I have noticed mine (MY99) are very fragile..even gentle cleaning to get rid of the bees n flies can bend them over.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Maybe I can get the girlfriend to spend a few hours straightening out the fins if I tell her it will slow the car down!

 

Pete Croney is always trying to get me to buy his intercooler shield.

But as I can't be bothered to straighten the fins the flies at 70MPH mess of my intercooler remains a feature?

Any offers to fix it for a ride arround Wroughton?

 

DAVID,

Where is your website?

Found it now!!

[This message has been edited by Mark Pitchford (edited 15-09-1999).]

 

The bent fins will have have an effect on cooling regardless of what core is used.
Although the effect will be more on the standard WRX interooler than a good upgraded one.

Firstly there are different cores, two types.

Cores

Bar and plate type core and
Tube and thin core……..

The bar and plate type core has internal fitting and better heat transfer.

The bar and plate type core will alse be less effected with bent fins, although having a cover is the best solution.

Greg Nikolettos
BPM/AVO Marketing