JDM Ver 7 TMIC

[Unabomber]

Seems rather silly to post a review of a "stock part", but since intercooler mods are becoming more common as are JDM parts, why not?

Cost: Usually run $500-700 through Vendors. I got mine for $350!

Fitment: Open hood, bolt it up. It's that simple. The only modification I had to do was to move the AC line aft (towards the trunk) slightly for it to fit.

Size: Roughly 1" thicker and 1" higher than the USDM STi intercooler.

Why: The USDM STi intercooler is nearly the same price. The USDM STi intercooler has fitment issues. The USDM STi intercooler is smaller. To sum it up, there is no reason in the world to use the USDM one rather than the JDM Ver 7. If you think of a reason other than a good deal, let me know.

Performance: No dyno data sorry, but some butt dyno and hard data results. Butt dyno says it has gains. Previously, I installed Borla headers. While I think they were a super mod, I did lose a little boost with them. After talking to Cobb Tuning, they said this was very common when using headers. After installing the JDM intercooler, my boost returned to normal! I assume this is because the JDM intercooler has a lower pressure drop than the stock unit. Either way, I have a remarkable improvement in performance due to the intercooler and new found boost.

Recommendation: While I wouldn't recommend that a stock or near stock car get a new TMIC, I would say that this unit is a good upgrade for mid/highly modded cars. It is beastly cheap compared to other near $1000 TMICs, and as many Subaru parts go, there is no proof that their higher price tag nets better results. Even if you don't like it, intercoolers really lose little value compared to other mods. Sell it and you will probably only be out your shipping costs.

Hidden cost: As with any TMIC, you will get the best effeciency by using a bigger hoodscoop, air splitter, and water spray. As soon as I get all my parts in and resolve any/all fitment issues, I will update this post with the OEM part numbers for 04s. If you have an 02/03, you will have to do some searching.

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[Uncle Scotty]

I have one on my '02 and had only the AC line issue.
I added the Ver.7 STi RA Spec C Air Splitter(aluminum ) & Intercooler Seal Kit from RalliSpec and an STi scoop with my custom IC spray and it's great. The IC is lightweight and cools quickly when paired with the splitter/seal.

[500hpwrxsti]

I have to say it looked good Ron!!

[supermarkus]

I'm the odd man out I guess, I didn't have any AC line issues, mine weren't even close to touching. But my wastegate actuator nipple is clocked toward the intercooler so the hose makes contact with the bottom corner of the IC. I've got extra hoses ready to swap if that becomes an issue. One area I did have a bit of trouble was the passenger side IC bracket was 1/2" off so I bent it forward to line up with the intercooler and everything bolted up fine.

[Unabomber]

Since posting my review, I have received several PMs from people with Ver 7 intercoolers. It seems that every owner has unique fitment issues. None too great, but it shows that even though we all have the same cars, each is built differently.

Thanks Shawn and it does look good:

[MER]

I'm putting the same IC on my '03. Gruppe-s is telling me a JDM STI scoop paired with a zerosports replica splitter/shroud will work. Any one have any evidence that it won't? I'm open to other suggestions of course, V7 JDM STI RA spec C parts are not exactly common place....

[supermarkus]

Check with Rallispec or Kingpin to see if they have some V7 shrouds sitting around. I lucked out and got mine through a private sale for 70 bucks, I ordered the USDM STi bellows part for like 20 and it fits perfectly.

[Uncle Scotty]

Originally posted by MER
I'm putting the same IC on my '03. Gruppe-s is telling me a JDM STI scoop paired with a zerosports replica splitter/shroud will work. Any one have any evidence that it won't? I'm open to other suggestions of course, V7 JDM STI RA spec C parts are not exactly common place....

If that Zerosports replica is the same one as I had, the damn thing was HEAVY....like 15 pounds heavy
The one I bought weighs less than 2 pounds with the seal. Case closed.

[Zuffy]

Good job Unabomber. I'm interested in a TMIC upgrade and I didn't know that the USDM intercooler was different then the JDM one, and that both STi TMIC's tend to have minor fitment issues.

Keep that info coming on these units!

[MER]

Cost: ~$500 from Kingpin for a take-off unit.

Fitment: Take off stock TMIC. Unbolt AC lines, agressivly push them toward rear of car. Bolt in new TMIC, bend AC lines some more. Take off stock splitter, close hood, done. [see additional cost for other parts you may need]

Size: Measured across the face [the visible fin portion] as mounted in car. From passanger side to Drive's side 16 1/4 vs 18 1/2. Back bumbper to front bumper 5 7/8 vs. 7 1/4. Top to bottom is about 3 1/2 inches for both. Ghetto math reveals about 40% larger than stock TMIC [someone check my math]

Build: A much better unit. Large STI hoses are smoother and much thicker than the SAMCO units I had been using. Y portion of intercooler piping is a mix of metal and rubber vs. stocks all rubber design. End tank toward read of unit appears much larger but I can't comment why this might be a better IC design feature. Bright red STI across front is nice if your into that sort of thing.

Performance: Butt dyno only. Feels better, like switching from stock pipes to SAMCO. I'll revise this part of the review later once the vf34 goes on [this is reallyt the reason I bought it].

Recommendation: Ditto to what Una said. I like the idea of JDM OEM, hence the addition of a vf34 also.

Hidden cost: As stated above rallispec has a 'complete' setup available for $300. That is for an JDM STI scoop and a splitter. Two splitters are available that would fit, the JDM STI V7 and the JDM V7 STI Spec-C. Spec-C has one IC sprayer location while plain old STI has two. I believe the Spec-C is aluminum and STI is um, smoething else. Also, mine didn't come with a BOV gasket, you would probably want to use a new one anyway. WILL RUB YOUR AC lines BADLY. As the engine revs and moves the bigger IC will rub you AC line an wear it out. I bought heater line from a local hardware store for about $2.50 per foot and placed it on the AC line where the IC rubbed it and where the AC line rubbed the firewall. I'll update on wear issued later.

Overall: Couldn't be a happier.

Other: Mine was very oily inside and out, looked like turbo may have blown an oil line. I placed mine in front of a gas fireplace to make the oil inside more viscous. Tipped it so the oil would run toward the TB hole. Poured and mopped out about 1/8 of a cup of oil. Repeated several times.

PM me with questions.

MER

[Unabomber]

Pics of the 2004 STi hoodscoop on a wagon (mine):





Part numbers needed to install the STi hoodscoop properly for the STi intercooler:

90821FE080NN: Scoop Assy, Hood (hoodscoop, comes unpainted) $149.95 retail
90817FE200: 2004 STi Duct, upper scoop (splitter) $93.12 retail
90817FE210: 2004 STi Duct, lower scoop (rubber shroud) $40.87 retail
90875FE110: Seal, Scoop 2004 STi (thin foam (self sticking) seal that goes between your hood and the hoodscoop. Designed to be taped to the edge of the hoodscoop) $8.18 retail
86636FA120: 2004 STi intercooler spray nozzle. (for waterspray if you go that route) $11.77 retail
90826FA000: Clip $0.84 retail (need 2)*
909130074: Clip, Insulator $0.80 retail (need 2)**

You can obtain the parts cheaper at places like subaruparts.com or other online OEM discounters. Other than one or two aftermarket CF hoodscoops, no one makes a 2004 replica STi hoodscoop, splitter, or other accessories like many do the for the 02/03 models that I know of right now.

Installation is kid simple. Tools needed are a #2 Phillips, 9mm socket, rachet, and pliers. Remove the OEM "splitter" either with a Phillips or the 9mm. You have to get the two screws underneath the hood liner. The hood liner is held in by two clips (** above). Unless you have the special $10,000 tool, you will destroy these clips upon removal. GENTLY pry back the rigid fiberglass liner to remove the screws. If you are very careful with the liner, it should look perfect when all buttoned back up. Sadly, I wasn't gentle. Once the "splitter is out" you remove the funny 9mm bolts holding the stock hoodscoop.

If your STi hoodscoop has the gasket (mine did), you can now install it. Otherwise, you will have to carefully install the gasket along the edge of the hoodscoop. As the paint guys messed up my gasket, I used the new one for some spot repairs. When bolting it up, press down on the hoodscoop while tightening for the best fit. You may need an assistant or long armed friend for this task.

The STi shroud needs to be attached to the splitter. Carefully remove the plastic rivets from the OEM shroud. Use these for the STi shroud. Sadly, you will be two rivets short. It will still work, but sticklers will want to order two more rivets for perfection. *above listed as "clip" is the plastic rivet. Now the shroud is on the splitter.

Bolt the splitter to the body/hoodscoop. This is also where you would install the new hood liner pins. I didn't have any, so that will have to wait until next friday.

Cost for me: $187.59 for all parts & painting. I made a few really special deals though, but for the average bear, it should run around $350.

Using the USDM STi components for the JDM STi intercooler still leaves a little room for improvement. The shroud is too small for the bigger JDM intercooler. It is about 1/2" too narrow and about 1" too short. In a perfect world, it should match up perfectly. Since the biggest gap is near the throttle body, where the least amount of cooling occurs, it is fine with me. www.rallispec.com (and possibly others) sell a Ver 7 splitter for $110. This splitter is specifically designed for this intercooler, but it's price leads me to believe that it does not include the rubber shroud, though I could be wrong. If this was available, it would be the "best" option. Otherwise, discriminating users could modify the STi shroud for better coverage or utilize a custom shroud of their own creation.

[Uncle Scotty]

The RA Spec C splitter DOES include the seal and IS nice, light aluminum and it DOES fit PERFECTLY to the JDM v7 IC....It DOES NOT include the little plastic pins to attach the seal to the splitter I KNOW....I've done 3 of them from rallispec, so I should know.

[Unabomber]

Thanks for the info, and at $110, that's not a bad deal at all!

[SubieStyle]

Hey everyone, I'm not sure if this helps or not , but "Renickmotorsports.com" have thes TMIC's in stock for only $599 each NEW! You can look HERE under intercoolers. Hope this helps.

[03WRXMA]

Originally posted by Uncle Scotty
The RA Spec C splitter DOES include the seal and IS nice, light aluminum and it DOES fit PERFECTLY to the JDM v7 IC....It DOES NOT include the little plastic pins to attach the seal to the splitter I KNOW....I've done 3 of them from rallispec, so I should know.

Uncle-

What did you use then? Just push clips from the parts store?

[Unabomber]

If he doesn't answer, I finally got the right part number: 90826FA000. They were like 80 cents each.

[03WRXMA]

Originally posted by Unabomber
If he doesn't answer, I finally got the right part number: 90826FA000. They were like 80 cents each.

Excellent, thanks !

[Uncle Scotty]

Originally posted by 03WRXMA
Uncle-

What did you use then? Just push clips from the parts store?

I improvised.....I shaved some GM or Ford(don't remember which) with my Benchmade until they fit.....damn it....

[Tuned]

Originally posted by Unabomber
If he doesn't answer, I finally got the right part number: 90826FA000. They were like 80 cents each.

Is this clip usable for an 02 also or would I need something else?

[Unabomber]

It's the same I believe. It is a small (1/4") round push pin type thingy, black in color.

[scooby9]

Does anyone have this intercooler and an STi titanium strut bar installed? I have the strut bar and I'm just wondering if it's going to all fit together without fitment issues.

Thanks.

[ronf]

like to know that too !

[ThePunisherGT]

ok I apologize, but I gotta bring this back from the dead. I bought a JDM STi TMIC v7. It has nothing but the TMIC, meaning no y-pipe or any pipes for that matter throttle body, etc. I'm having a real tough time getting a straight/common answer. What is needed for an intall on the 02-03 models? I've heard the following answers:

#1 everything OEM is fine and bolts right up, y-pipe, hoses etc

#2 everything but throttle body hose, bolts right up, y-pipe, etc; so you must buy the OEM STi USDM Throttle Body Hose

#3 you must get the whole Perrin or Gruppe-S kit and TB hose

Can we agree on any of these for the 02-03 MODELS<----

FOR ANSWERS SEE LINK IN POST #26

[maegan]

glad in this posting.....

[amazonparrot]

Bump for an answer to punishers question, since i will be doing the same thing