Am wanting to upgrade my intercooler but keep a top mount can I fit one of a later model if so which one will be a direct fit thanks for your help as always

 

You can fit later model versions but none are a direct fit iirc

 

Would I gain anything from fitting a later one?

 

The later ones are bigger and straight but I doubt you would see any gains.

My 93WRX ran 270bhp with no problems on the standard tmic

 

Thanks for the info think I will leave the standard one on then

 

you can put a later one on, but its a lot of work.

 

ARC if you can find one

 

Recently read on another forum, the TMIC from an WRX Hawkeye should fit with minor modifications.

Haven't seen it myself just read it.

I went for the STi Slanty Tmic because my WRX slanty was ready for recycling

 

Yer mine is a sti one with water spray going to fit full 3" exhaust and panel filter then get it mapped didn't know if the intercooler would restrict it but don't want a front mount

 

Yes you can fit a later top mount and yes, they are certainly an improvement over the tiny slanty early ones.
However, it's not a simple bolt on job, it does require some work.
I now have a fully restored and modified V4 STI one to go on my early STI RA. The first thing required is to blank off the dump valve port on the larger cooler. This requires you to cut it off the cooler and weld a plate in its place. You also need to cut down the throttle body and the tube itself on the cooler where it joins the throttle body.
You will also need to make a bracket to hold the cooler in place.

Like I said, it's not an easy job but if like me you want it to look original but still upgraded from original then this is the way forward.
Yes the ARC ones are good but they are rare and expensive when they do come up. And I'm not sure they are really much better than a later OE one anyway.

When I get home I'll take a few pictures of my one and post up.

 

Thanks for the help

 

Track use, 300bhp and det no greater than 29 on a fully solid bushed car They are better IMHO The important part being the much wider bars in the core increasing capacity substantially Look at the tests done in Autospeed, the ARC one is identical to the after market version 2 AVO one, pretty much





Also don't forget to ensure the ducting to and through the intercooler is mitigated I have modified my scoop skirt to ensure a flush pressure fit to the core to ensure all the air is forced through the core. Any straight fit coolers fitted will not align with the V2 bonnet scoop arrangement and will be counter productive if you don't make a quality effort at ducting the air to an effective pressure fit.

My ARC







I've cleaned the bay since lol



Hope that helps, as with anything the end result is only as good as the job you make of it

 

Samco inlet pipe! Far too much money, Stu.

 

Did they do any testing on inlet temps ??
The ARC one flows more air and it's core volume is larger but is it more efficient at cooling it and by how much ???
I'm sure they are a great bit of kit, and if they were cheaper then I'd have one. But I just can't warrant £200+ on a top mount that isn't 'that much' better if you know what I mean.
I'd go front mount before I got near the limits of the top mount anyway.


Here's my V4 STI one after some love








This will be more than adequate for my current needs, plus I think it'll look better than the original

 

I'm desperately jealous of your samco hoses though...... :-(

I think they are deffo next on my list.

 

Fraction of the price if you don't need the breather and recirc take-offs.

 

Unfortunately I do need the take offs as I'm trying to keep it looking as stock as possible. Just want to upgrade the hoses without them looking out of place if you catch my drift