Intercooler placement

[greybox]

Since the upper grill is a fake grill on the xB why isn't there anyone putting an intercooler there with an open grill? The STi runs the intercooler up top so that should be good and it would get direct air flow without blocking the radiator and it's right in the middle of where the air flows from the air box to the turbo or supercharger.

Anybody try it yet?

[Cinderblock]

i was thinking the exact same thing before, but youd have to use a 5-6in tall intercooler to fit,, and youd have a rather sharp 180 bend right to the throttle body, if i went greddy i was going to do this, but im going 365, so no need lol

[greybox]

the 180 thing totally depends on how you run the piping and these huge intercoolers that are aftermarket aren't really that necessary for regular street applications in a smaller motor. The stock VW 1.8 intercooler is pretty small.

Where are you at with the 365 turbo kit?

[Cinderblock]

ive looked and measured, if you run the charge pipe out in the passenger side, into the intercooler, then out the drivers side, it wont have to be sharp, but itd be 180 degrees or so, itd be so short that it would be hella responsive tho. i know it doesnt need to be large, im just saying finding one short enough hieght wise is tricky, i looked, but spearco and those kinda places have custom ones you can have made so its just a lil extra cash. im in the saving money applying for a second job stage to afford the kit stage lol. zack (365 man) seems to be pretty close to done, its supposed to get tuned pretty soon and their looking for about 150 horse at 6psi, and i have no doubt at all his kit will make that.

[365Motorwerks]

I thought about that spot but you would have to swap to a mesh grill and the hood latch support is there also the pipe on the passenger side would have to go up and over the motor I'm not a fan of that look the 180 to the TB would be no issue though.

[Cinderblock]

ya like i said its doable, and though maybe the most effiecient, its not the most stealth or prettiest option either. but grey, if your going turbo, totaly do this and let us know how it goes.

[arizonaturbo]

Keep in mind that a top mount intercooler will soak up the heat radiated from the engine bay. Most aftermarket intercooler kits for the Suburu WRX/STI and Nissan Pulsar GTiR are Front Mount units, not upgraded top mount.

[Cinderblock]

but technicaly its not a top mount, its just in the top grill area, it doesnt sit directly above the engine.

[greybox]

Plus the engine doesn't breath through that hole anyway with the stock fake grill.