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Old 11-05-2003, 09:14 PM   #1
Unabomber
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Exclamation Intercooler Hose FAQ: Read if you are thinking of buying them!

Intercooler Hose FAQ

The primary purpose of an aftermarket intercooler hose is to replace the stock intercooler hose with a better flowing unit. Airflow testing indicates 14.2% better flowing capacity than the OEM piece. It can also decrease intake temperatures, increase reliability, and dress up the engine compartment.

HP gain is 5HP. This figure is highly debated as different manufacturers use different dynos with different cars with different levels of mods.

Which manufacturer is best? This topic is highly debated. There have been no reported consistent "bad" intercooler hoses on the market. Obviously, there may have been bad hoses sold, but not enough to report as "bad" overall. The current manufacturers of intercooler hoses that fit the OEM intercooler are:

a. APS: "Y" hose only
b. Perrin: 3 hose set
c. Prodrive: "Y" hose only
d. Samco: 3 hose set
e. Vishnu: 3 hose set
f. GP Moto: 3 hose set

What intercooler hose material is best? Intercooler hoses are made from silicone and cast alloy. There is no irrefutable evidence that one material is better than the other. Obviously, heat soak levels are higher with the cast alloy model.

Which intercooler hose construction method is best?
There is no irrefutable evidence that one design is better than the other. With regard to the number of silicone plys, here is a breakdown:

Perrin= 5 ply
Prodrive= unknown ply
Samco= 3 ply
Vishnu= 3 ply
GP Moto= unknown ply

Which intercooler hose set has the best gains? There is no irrefutable evidence that any intercooler hose set has better gains than another. The consensus, if there is one, is they are all within 1-2HP or less, gain wise, of each other.

Which particular hose gives the gains? The "Y" hose that attaches the turbo to the intercooler is the only hose that gives HP gains. The other two hoses, the throttle body hose and the recirculation hose, are nearly identical to the OEM size. Their purpose is mainly for under hood aesthetics.

Are there any downsides to intercooler hoses? There have not been significant amounts of problems with intercooler hoses. Many find the stock "pinch clamps" that are installed on the recirculation hose to be lacking, both in their functionality and ease of use. Many consider their replacement with standard "worm gear type" hose clamps to be a cheap and more user friendly substitute.

Where do I buy intercooler hoses? Every Subaru/Import performance store sells intercooler hoses. For purchasing, support your local economy or the NASIOC Vendors.

How hard is it to install intercooler hoses? Allow around one hour for install time. Professional installation, depending on your area, is around $75. This is one vehicle modification that is very simple and can be successfully accomplished by even the greenest shade tree mechanic.

How do I install intercooler hoses? Refer to the intercooler hose manufacturer's instructions. For intercooler hoses without instructions, below is a link to one of the better known intercooler hose installation instructions:
scoobymods.com instructions (with photos)

Should I reset my ECU after this mod? It is never a bad idea to perform an ECU reset after a mod. The traditional route is to disconnect the negative battery terminal, press the brake pedal for a few seconds to bleed the system of charge, and reattach. Some use the more advanced Vishnu Reset.

Editors Note

This post was created because I wasn't able to find a good intercooler hose FAQ. I came up with the text based on LOTS of searching here. Upon reading this you should have an idea of what type of intercooler hose set best suits your needs. The manufacturer is up to you.

If you find an error in this FAQ, please PM me with factual details and I will update this post. Responses such as, "I have XXX's intercooler hose and it's great!" or "XXX's Intercooler Hoses leaked after 1 month" are not appreciated here, that is what the Car Parts Review Forum is for.
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Last edited by Unabomber; 08-15-2005 at 09:11 PM.
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Old 11-05-2003, 11:39 PM   #2
gerbs
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The infamous unabomber strikes again!


you rock! lots of stuff about hoses listed here that i was unsure of/had no idea about.


so what's your next target gonna be? Intake FAQ? BOV FAQ ?

all these FAQ's should be stickys! hey moderators where are you?!
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Old 11-06-2003, 09:51 AM   #3
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Thanks for the response. So far, all of my other posts have been stickied on the "FAQ and Threads of Note- Read me first!" Sticky at the top of this forum. If viewers like this one, then I assume the tradition will continue.

I don't know what my next project will be. So far, I have made these for all the mods I currently have. Sadly, $$$ and mod hating wife have forced me into an early mod retirement. The wife wants us to concentrate on modding our house.

I hope to come up with some ideas for new mods and live vicariously on the board. I hope to choose my next virtual mod in the next few days, research it as if I was buying it, and post the results. What will be my virtual mod be??? PM me if there is something you want to see otherwise, I am thinking headers.

Ron
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Old 11-06-2003, 09:57 PM   #4
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Another great job!

Headers would be cool if you find the time

But the best info would come if you actually continue doing the mods you write about.

So tell the old lady that for the sake of NASIOC and reaserach you have to buy a set of headers.
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Old 11-07-2003, 01:43 PM   #5
dunk
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Have they fixed the fitment problem with the Samcos. I know that my y-pipe wasn't exactly a stock like fix, and required some work to get it to line up properly.

Duncan
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Old 11-07-2003, 01:49 PM   #6
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Heh...nice one. Of that one hour install time, 50 minutes of it is probably getting the tricky pinch clamp off the recirc hose (the clamp closest to the turbo inlet hose). Man that sucker was tough! No amount of WD-40 would let me turn the clamp, so I ended up using a combination of wrenches, prying, and pliers to eventually rip it into 3 pieces.
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Old 11-07-2003, 02:07 PM   #7
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I researched fitment issues like crazy and didn't find a consensus. There were a few Samco problems of old, but nothing too recent. None of the hoses are 100% perfect though. It takes a normal person 1 hour. It took me 2 because I have teh dumb. My struggle story, please no laughter! Header research.....classic! Your'e trying to get a brother in trouble aren't you!
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Old 01-13-2007, 03:06 PM   #8
streko
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do they REALLY make a difference? 5hp is worth ~$100 but I want to be sure they really do something
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Old 01-13-2007, 03:39 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by streko View Post
do they REALLY make a difference? 5hp is worth ~$100 but I want to be sure they really do something
You probably aren't going to feel a difference in power, but you might get an increase in spool time.
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Old 02-13-2007, 02:35 AM   #10
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I would Like to add that according to people on nasioc
The 06 wrx and FXT ic has a differnet dimension y pipe

The perrin one can be trimmed down to fit i hear
and prodrive makes a specific one for the FXT that should fit (in theory) the 06 wrx+

Others not sure of fitment
Any other info on this?
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Old 02-23-2007, 09:02 PM   #11
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Default EBAY y-pipe

What about the ebay y-pipes? I have searched for hours for a thread on them but haven't found one. Any exeperiences or comparisons anyone would like to make?
-Cory
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Old 02-23-2007, 10:25 PM   #12
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pm him, he's good that way

why is this still open AND not a sticky?

ibtl, FIRST PAGE
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Old 02-25-2007, 05:33 PM   #13
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Is the wrx and sti IC inlet hose the same?
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Old 03-13-2007, 04:38 PM   #14
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sorry, i misunderstood the purpose of this thread.

Last edited by greg donovan; 03-13-2007 at 05:42 PM.
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Old 03-13-2007, 04:42 PM   #15
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NOT

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Old 10-21-2007, 04:06 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
Intercooler Hose FAQ



Which manufacturer is best? This topic is highly debated. There have been no reported consistent "bad" intercooler hoses on the market. Obviously, there may have been bad hoses sold, but not enough to report as "bad" overall. The current manufacturers of intercooler hoses that fit the OEM intercooler are:

a. APS: "Y" hose only
b. Perrin: 3 hose set
c. Prodrive: "Y" hose only
d. Samco: 3 hose set
e. Vishnu: 3 hose set
f. GP Moto: 3 hose set
the link for gp moto is borked, the correct link is:

http://gpmototech.com/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
Which intercooler hose construction method is best?
There is no irrefutable evidence that one design is better than the other. With regard to the number of silicone plys, here is a breakdown:

Perrin= 5 ply
Prodrive= unknown ply
Samco= 3 ply
Vishnu= 3 ply
GP Moto= unknown ply

According to the gp moto website, their construction is four-ply.
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Old 11-25-2007, 10:57 AM   #17
MikeK
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Great FAQ, a few additions.

* Prodrive Y-Pipe is 3-ply.
* 06-07 WRX's must use the Forester turbo Y-pipe for exact fit. Earlier Y-pipes can supposedly be trimmed to fit, but why bother?
* Factory Y-Pipe is held on by 3 traditional hose clamps. (At least on 07) They are slightly too small to be reused on the thicker silicone pipe. Buy some larger clamps ahead of time.
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Old 11-26-2007, 10:36 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unabomber View Post
Sadly, $$$ and mod hating wife have forced me into an early mod retirement. The wife wants us to concentrate on modding our house.
I feel your pain....(also married to a mod hating wife)

good luck with the house projects and thanks for all the great info!
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Old 11-26-2007, 01:03 PM   #19
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Great FAQ as usual. You may want to either link to or include the "which IC hose do I need to make my STi TMIC fit my XX## turbo" thread. That question seems to be asked a lot and would dovetail nicely in here. The original thread I found was full of misinformation and confusing to wade through.
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Old 01-30-2008, 06:50 PM   #20
segerton
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Default Bpm

I picked up a used BPM TMIC with no hoses. Any idea which brand/set/type I need?

nubie-
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Old 05-17-2008, 03:25 AM   #21
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Is engine management needed for this mod ?
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Old 05-17-2008, 06:36 AM   #22
SilverSubaab
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.... At this point,
even I have lost track.

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Quote:
Originally Posted by CALI07TR View Post
Is engine management needed for this mod ?

No it is not. It is just a hose...
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Old 11-29-2008, 12:26 AM   #23
thegenerel
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where/how/what type of hose should i look for on an 08 WRX? will these fit any WRX or...?

(yes newbie)
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Old 05-25-2011, 11:14 AM   #24
themaxdaddy
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Question Intercooler Hoses for 2011 WRX

I've been looking online for Intercooler Hoses for my 2011 WRX. I can't seem to find any. Are they not available for 08+ models because they don't provide any benefit?
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Old 08-04-2011, 01:54 AM   #25
RiverDog
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What he said.
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