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Old 09-03-2013, 12:41 PM   #1
ShawDizzle
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Default Sti intercooler or no?

I have an 08 wrx. Looking to upgrade to a VF 48 or 52. I'm looking to obviously get what I can out of it. Full bolt ons with upgraded fuel. Will an Sti intercooler handle it or should I go for a better upgrade. I want to stay top mount
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Old 09-03-2013, 01:01 PM   #2
RoadKillDMD
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If you want a STI TMIC, you're going to need a different intake manifold as yours is not compatible. You will also need to run the vf48. IMO, more work than it's worth.

If I were you, I would go with the vf52 and find a solid aftermarket TMIC that will work with your manifold, such as the Process West TMIC for MY08+ WRXs.
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Old 09-03-2013, 01:38 PM   #3
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08+'s CANNOT use an STI intercooler because of the different design of the intake tract.
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Old 09-03-2013, 01:58 PM   #4
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If you are not looking to spend $1000 for a tmic just get a used 09+ tmic from someone that has upgraded. Probably find one for cheap and will do just fine at what your power levels will be.
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Old 09-03-2013, 02:05 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dmochowski View Post
If you are not looking to spend $1000 for a tmic just get a used 09+ tmic from someone that has upgraded. Probably find one for cheap and will do just fine at what your power levels will be.


Ya know that MY08 WRX TMIC is the same as MY09+ WRX TMICs don't ya? That wouldn't be an upgrade at all!
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Old 09-03-2013, 02:12 PM   #6
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Haha figured they would have diff ways of bolting up. If the compressor housings on the 08 and 09+ are all the same then just keep that. You don't "need" an upgraded tmic if just sticking with the factory turbo.
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Old 09-03-2013, 02:15 PM   #7
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They are the same. No difference on the WRX's except the turbo, but they keep the same intake tract.
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Old 09-03-2013, 02:20 PM   #8
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Well there you go, if it were me and I was on a budget I would stick to the factory intercooler and just get a turbo blanket and maybe add another heat shield over the existing one and call it a day unless you're chasing numbers or live in the Deep South and heat soak up all the time. I live in TN and don't feel like my factory tmic is holding me back. I will upgrade one day but it will most likely be after a ringland failure and I will bolt up a dom 1.5
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Old 09-03-2013, 02:24 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dmochowski View Post
Haha figured they would have diff ways of bolting up. If the compressor housings on the 08 and 09+ are all the same then just keep that. You don't "need" an upgraded tmic if just sticking with the factory turbo.
The ishty design is KNOWN to fail, even at stage 2 power levels. Crappy plastic end tanks are crimped onto a weak little core. These crimps are known to split wide open. This same thing happened to my buddies WRX before switching to the PW TMIC.
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Old 09-03-2013, 02:25 PM   #10
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PS OP, "Full bolt on" means nothing.
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Old 09-03-2013, 02:52 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RoadKillDMD View Post

The ishty design is KNOWN to fail, even at stage 2 power levels. Crappy plastic end tanks are crimped onto a weak little core. These crimps are known to split wide open. This same thing happened to my buddies WRX before switching to the PW TMIC.
True, which is why I am nervous when winter rolls around. I got my pro tune done in the spring and have not driven yet in the cold temperatures. When I flashed the stage 2 map from Cobb last winter I blew the socks off the intercooler pipes so I will be watching my intercooler this winter to see if it fails
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Old 09-03-2013, 03:02 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HinshawWRX View Post
PS OP, "Full bolt on" means nothing.
Ya. I was being lazy n shoulda just made a list.

But thanks for all the info guys. Ill just get an after market. Sure I can find one on here. I'm not under a huge budget any way but don't want to be digging into the wallet
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Old 09-03-2013, 03:04 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShawDizzle View Post

Ya. I was being lazy n shoulda just made a list.

But thanks for all the info guys. Ill just get an after market. Sure I can find one on here. I'm not under a huge budget any way but don't want to be digging into the wallet
Just to put a bug in your ear... Grimmspeed is a good American company I am sure you are aware of, they will be rolling out an 08+ tmic upgrade around Jan Feb timframe.
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Old 09-03-2013, 03:37 PM   #14
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Nice. Ill use the stock for the winter. I'm in jersey so ill be fine
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Old 09-03-2013, 03:37 PM   #15
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If you dont want to drop the cash on a new intercooler, keep an eye out in the classified forums for part outs.
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Old 09-03-2013, 06:54 PM   #16
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Ya. It don't matter but I always go to the classifieds first.
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Old 09-15-2013, 02:55 AM   #17
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Look to the lgt guys that have fixed this problem. it goes by the name bullet proof intercooler.
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Old 09-20-2013, 08:31 AM   #18
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Not to highjack this thread too much, but this is the third time in my recent batch of reading where I have seen this come up, and it is not something I have seen before. I'm looking to do a stage 1 AP with my rex soon and I am hearing about something in the intercooler blowing off and needing to be put back on with clamps...
Could someone quickly tell me what is happening here and what the part is/what this problem is called so I can look it up?
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Old 09-20-2013, 10:15 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicago77 View Post
Not to highjack this thread too much, but this is the third time in my recent batch of reading where I have seen this come up, and it is not something I have seen before. I'm looking to do a stage 1 AP with my rex soon and I am hearing about something in the intercooler blowing off and needing to be put back on with clamps...
Could someone quickly tell me what is happening here and what the part is/what this problem is called so I can look it up?
Search for 08+ intercooler to throttle body hose end caps...
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Old 09-20-2013, 10:23 AM   #20
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And search 'bullet proof TMIC'
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