Very interesting! It would allow a stealthy 'scoop-less' bonnet, without all the problems of intercooler relocation. Sounds like a lot of hassle setting it up though.

Are you going to give it a try?

Andy

 

I have seen on the Australian WRX list that an aussie magazine has converted the standard intercooler to water-cooled.

They apparently welded plates onto the top and bottom of the I/C and plumbed a water supply and pump into the unit.

The results given I have posted below:

Ambient Temperature 26 C

Air to Air
==========
Full Load Peak: 61 C
Warm Idle: 70 C

Water to Air
------------
Full Load Peak: 45 C
Warm Idle 40 C

I have pasted an extract below:
---------------------------------------------

In the Sept issue of Hot4's page 41 they converted a 95 WRX to water-cooled by welding plates over the original air-air intercooler to make it water tight and using a radiator setup to cool the water down again.

Matt Richards from some place called Road and Track did the work (08) 8344 8930.

Here is what they did...

TIG welded plates over the existing core to make it water tight.

Add feed and drain fittings to the plates.

They used a transmission oil cooler core fitted behind the front bumper.

To pump the water they used a Shur-flow bilge-type pump capable of running constantly and moving large amounts of water.

They also setup a small reservoir.

---------------------------------------------

I thought that it may be of interest....

Thanks

Gavin

 

Andy,

I may do in the future.....

I have a 94 WRX with the early intercooler which is widely regarded as being poor.

I have looked for various ways of improving the intercooling for a "sympathetic" power increase. However replacements seem to be overpriced - MRT £600, PTS £750, HKS £1000+ etc.

If anyone knows of a realistic supplier, I would be very interested.

Thanks

Gavin