screeech

Hello all.

Looking for your thoughts on this one.

I've been offered an Sti intercooler of the same year locally.
Will this give me any benefit over the standard intercooler? They both look identical in core size, with the only difference i can see is that the Sti intercooler end tank is a different shape?

Is it worth the extra money to have an Sti marked intercooler?

PICKLE

Apparently, the STI version is alot better, not sure why cos they look the same, but I have been assured by an expert, that the STI5 versions are the best of the classic shape subaru I/C's.

screeech

That's what i wondered. There appears to be only a very minor difference between the two and i can't possibly see what advanyage it has over the UK intercooler.

Can you divulge who thinks it is better? May be worth my while asking him for more info. If you want, you can PM me details and i can take it up with him/them?

Floyd

iTrader: (9)

Hardly any difference in design IMHO therefore hardly any difference in performance.

F

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

dont think there is much difference in size i think its when you look at the sti intercooler core then you see which is best if they were the same quality intercooler why would they only fit them to 280bhp STI's

micared

Only real difference is the alloy "y" piece instead of the standard poxy plastic jobbie or Samco....slightly less pressure drop 'cos of this, worth about 1psi of boost on my MY00.

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

Danny Boy

iTrader: (2)

The sti core flows better, made at least 2psi of difference when i swapped the standard core for the Sti5 one on my 99UK turbo. Not alot i may hear you cry, but enough to make the difference of slamming into the fuel cut or not (this was a direct swap without resetting the dawes device). Anything that makes life for the tiny td04 easier is good in my book, hence i think it is a worth while addition to any non Sti car.

Dan.

*Sonic*

Hasnt there been tests done, that show there is no difference between the two ?

excpet the colour

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

Also does anybody know if the STi v4 I/C is the same as MY99/00 uk?


Bob

RB5_245

I don't beleve it is, v4 is '98 which is a different shape, and never had the dv connected directly to the ic.

Maybe the STI is the same, but I doubt it.

Dave

screeech

Hmm.. conflicting thoughts, but interesting.

I think those that have seen a rise in boost pressure for no other change may be due to the different pipework underneath which looks a little turbulent on the UK plastic pipe.

I think i'll stick with the UK one and maybe change the Y piece underneath rather than pay for a complete intercooler which won't do much, if anything, over what i have. A fair bit of money when only the pipe is really needed.

It looks nicer in shiny silver with the Sti lettering 'an all, but why buy it just for that!!

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

Anybody know the specs of these two?

Bob

beryllium

i agree,more boost with the sti v5.result in terms of acceleration is better than removing the cats

Bob Rawle

The STi version has a different plenum system on it, it does improve over the Eurospec version, the MY98 intercoolers are not in the same league, for absolute gain you should consider the new age STi intercoolers, bigger, free'er flowing (external) but with the same density core as STi5/6. Needs scoop and bonnet changes though.

bob

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

Bob,

So the STi v4 I/C is better than MY99/00 uk I/C? Enough to warrant map tweaks if changing between the two for any reason?

Also whats your opinion on how the new age STi I/C (inc bonnet changes and scoop) compare with FMICs for 320/330bhp cars?

Bob

screeech

I think Bob is comparing version 5 intercoolers like for like?

The version 4 as RB5 245 pointed out is different because it doesn't have the dump valve mounted on the intercooler plenum. You would need to change some pipework/dumpvalve if you were wanting to use the version 4 over a UK version 5

PICKLE

The V4 (MY98)STI I/C is the crap one, as I was told by BR. STI5 is far better, but as he has said, the best thing to do would be go for an STI8 TMIC, and convert the rest of bonnet/scoop etc to suit. If you want a bolt on no worries upgrade, then put an STI5 one on your car.

Only my opinion of course!

PeteTheFinn

Why is that? In pictures they seem almost identical.

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

The reason I ask about the differences between V4 STi I/C and MY99/00 uk is that I'm going to use a premapped tek3 (TD05FE, ported headers, 2" Up-pipe, etc)and want to keep to the exact spec of the previous owner who had a STi v4 I/C which he said was the same as MY99/00, just shiney. I know that the map may need a few tweaks here and there but I want to give it a good chance by keeping exact spec.

So in terms of mapping would there be any differences between the two I/Cs (STi V4 and MY99/00)?

Bob

PICKLE

When having this discussion with BR a few weeks back, he said the STI4 (MY98) TMIC is awful, and nearly as bad as the early slanted versions!. I said the same, 'but they look the same as the STI5 but with diff D/V mount!'.

He assured me, they are quite different with regards to cooling ability etc.. Hopefully he will be back on here tonight to discuss the facts etc..

Cheers

RB5_245

IMO You can't go wrong if you were to use a V5 intercooler the extra cooling would make the map 'safer' surely, and could be tweaked for a bit more perfomance.

It would be a different story though if the V5 I/C was giving more boost.

I wouldn't be worried about using a bigger intercooler if it was my car.

Dave.

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

As long as my current I/C (MY99/00 uk) is better than or the same as the STi V4 I/C. Is this the verdict?

RB5_245

I Can't comment on that myself, I've seen sti V3, V4 uk, V5 uk and sti.

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

doh! :bangs head:

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

anyone?

Peanuts

iTrader: (15)

I have converted to stiV i/c for a uk car(99).
the alloy *Y* piece gave me much more confidence than the shytey plastic oem crap.
I also used the opportunity to fit a full set of samcos and the car is now running a fair bit cooler.

IMHO a good mod, and one that Im glad I did

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

Thanks mate. Want to know if a MY99/00 I/C is better than or the same as an STi V4 I/C.

Bob

AndrewC

In short the MY99/00 TMIC is better than the STi IV TMIC.

More info here:

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_1618/article.html
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_1619/article.html

Andrew...

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

From what I can gather from the article (with restriced access) is that the V5/6 I/C is better than V4 but it doesnt mention anything about the STi v4 I/C which I am assuming is different.

Bob