Hi all
I have a v2 sti intercooler and want to fit a silicone pipe that i got onto the existing pipe that comes off the back of the intercooler.
My question is where do i cut the pipe there appears to be a corregated section on the pipe i have at present (looks like a standard wrx pipework).
Do i cut just above there?

steve

This is the pipework i have at present



This is what i have ordered

SAMCO SILICONE TURBO KIT SUBARU IMPREZA WRX/STI -1996 on eBay, also Other Exterior Styling, Exterior Styling, Car Tuning Styling, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 03-Apr-09 10:59:30 BST)

 

first things first, thats no the correct pipe for that intercooler it should have a alloy pipe there as for for silicone hose you need to hold the new hose over the old and mark where to cut but be sure to leave enough pipe to get the silicone hose on.

 

As mentioned, that IC is the STi v.2 silver one, which should have come with its own silver-coloured cast metal/short blue silicone hose-combo inlet pipe - what you have attached to it is the WRX's inferior, more restrictive plastic inlet pipe.

However, these pics may help you decide where to cut:-

 

Pipe is correct

Same as mine, overlay, measure up, and go for it

Be generous for a good coupling.

 

If you're meaning that black plastic one attached to the STi v.2 silver IC, in the OP's pic, then no it isn't... Read post # 3.

The black plastic corrugated one is specifically for the NON-STi version 2, WRX/RoW MY93-96 cars, that have the slightly inferior black-painted slanty IC (with smaller end-tank too).

 

Thanks for the replies

I bought the intercooler thinking it came with the proper pipework but came with the wrx pipework. I contacted the seller and he said it came of the car like that ( yeah right), but try proving that.

Anyway i can get the genuine alloy pipe to go nicely with the samco but the problem i would have is cutting the alloy pipe. With regards to cutting the pipe alloy or the standard plastic i have, could i just use a junior hacksaw to cut it?

Sorry about the question this is my first time at doing this and i don't want to f**k it up

steve

 

No, don't worry about getting the correct metal pipe and cutting that (it has its own short silicone inlet hose at the end anyway).

Just cut what you've got. There'll be hardly any difference in performance between the two, because you're cutting the restrictive corrugated section off the WRX pipe anyway!

P.S. What I can't understand is how the previous owner managed to get the WRX pipe onto the STi v.2 IC - that IC has a slightly different sized mating flange/bolt hole spacing to the WRX's IC!

 

steve, i have the same intercooler on my car, when i brought it, it didnt have the silicone pipe with it so instead of cutting the alloy pipe you cut the silicone pipe to mate onto the end of the alloy pipe

 

Mine came like that V2 STi ? unless like above it was changed without my knowledge for cutting.

 

This would have been the case

I can, therefore, understand why you thought it was the std fit pipe ... just a coincidence.

 

Fortunately no longer required

Is it not possible that the very early classics like the '95 555 STi's retained some of the WRX 'bits'. I know my 53c STi wagon is basically a WRX frigged with STi parts.

 

ok so i will cut the pipe i have and then slip the samco over the top. Whats the best tool to cut it with will a junior hacksaw do the job?

steve

 

Yes, it'll do the job fine - just make sure you have a new/newish blade fitted.

Also, wrap a piece of masking tape around the pipe so that one edge is at the point where you want to cut. That way, you'll get a nice perpendicular cut.

 

I would say so and tidy the edges with a stanley.

 

HI
I just received the alloy pipe and guess what it won't fit the flange at the back of the intercooler. Now i am confused as it is a sti v2 intercooler but has the flange at the back that will only accept the wrx pipe i.e it's too damn small

So looks like i will just have to cut the plastic pipe (very short) and use the whole samco pipe when it arrives.

I really thought that all v2 sti intercoolers accepted the alloy pipe ????

 

You MUST have a WRX IC painted silver then!

Post a photo up of it in full - if it is a painted WRX one, then the end-tank should have a deep recess to it (the STi end-tank is 'fuller')...

 

Front View




Rear View

 

I just checked the intercooler on my car and it is a black wrx item HOWEVER the end tank does not have the recess. Now my car is a wrx v limited so perhaps these particular cars (note also that my car has lots of sti parts too) came with the sti intercooler but retained the wrx pipework and was painted black.

it's the only thing i can think off

Here is an example of a 1993 wrx intercooler not v limited on e bay and note the recess to the right.

93 Subaru Impreza WRX Intercooler on eBay, also, Subaru, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 14-Apr-09 15:10:57 BST)

 

This is a stiv2 tmic:

Which is the same as yours:

But the top one has the metal pipe:

Maybe there was a changeover period when they still had the plastic pipe?

 

Indeed... there must have been.

The hard pipe/silicone combo must have happened at the "C2" designated v.2 STi's i.e. between Sep 95 - Aug 96.

The "C1" (Sep 94 - Aug 95) v.2 STi's must have had the WRX plastic pipe/pattern flanges.

You learn something new everyday with this Impreza lark...