WRX and WRX STi

[freakray]

Thw WRC car doesn't have a TMIC, it's a FMIC and it's mounted at an angle directly above the radiator, the oil cooler is mounted to the left of the engine bay.
Here's a top view of the 2005 engine clearly showing the intercooler mounted to the front:

And here's a photo of the 2004 engine with the shroud over the intercooler, which is clearly a FWIC;


As to the benefits of TMIC versus FMIC, with a FMIC you can mount a bigger intercooler but with the engine configuration of the Impreza this serves no benefit since you then have to have 3' of large diameter pipe from one end of the HOT engine bay to the other. The reason Subaru opt for the TMIC is the efficiency gains, with the TMIC the air flow has a minimum amount of distance required to travel from turbo to intercooler and then to intake manifold allowing for maximum air flow efficiency.
On the WRC cars the turbo is relocated to reduce the amount of plumbing needed through the engine as well as using a spray to keep the intercooler temp down.

It's kind of scary, but I see a lot of ignorance displayed on the part of Subaru 'enthusiasts' about how the design of their cars originated or even the function of the design.

[Right_LiRrr]

I see....

But I swear I remember hearing about how subaru "has saved many a race by mounting their intercooler on top to continue racing after a minor crash"

Have they never had it TMIC?? Or as you say that the turbo has been relocated to reduce plumbing (which means, i guess, turbo lag), then isn't it more like a hybrid that gets best of both world? i.e. less lag AND more airflow. Which are adv of TMIC and FMIC, respectively.

But yeah...I was quite surprised since my screensaver came up and I went, hold on, that looks like a FMIC...whoah! lol

[freakray]

Subaru hasn't used a TMIC in WRC competition since 1997, which is also the year that the WRC was officially created.
The group N cars still use a TMIC because regulations require it.

[Right_LiRrr]

AHH!! Thanks freakray! It's the Group N ones! For a minute there I was wondering if I was more of a newb than i already am.

[SabreKhan]

Well, even the WRC's intercooler is sort of top-mounted. It's set up like a FMIC, with air flowing directly through the nose of the car into the fins, but it's mounted at an angle atop the engine bay. So, it's at the front and on top, but not under the hood scoop. It functions as a front-mounted intercooler, but physically sits on top.

[InfestedShadow]

Fimc? Timc ?

[keita]

Top/Front Mounted InterCooler

[InfestedShadow]

ohh thanks

[freakray]

Originally Posted by InfestedShadow

Fimc? Timc ?

F.M.I.C

T.M.I.C

[Hossain_Trance101]

Actually, the WRX STi does have a top mount intercooler (but a bigger one). Its just that I saw heaps on the roads of Sydney with front mount ones (there is so many that it leads you to believe that it is actually front mount). Regardless, I don't understand why they would have one like that. They should just have a front mount one and it looks way more hardcore...

[Hossain_Trance101]

A little bit off topic...Can you guys get EVOs in the US? I am pretty sure that we have to import in Australia. What is the price difference between a WRX STi and EVO and which is better in terms of performance and appearance (I personally think that the EVO is better just looking at the newspaper articles and comments by critics)?

[Right_LiRrr]

The Evo vs STi thing has been covered many a times here. Try searching.

As for importing to Australia, the Evo 9 will be a production model here. They say it will be Jap spec, but most likely we'll get some faggy detuned version.

As for seeing lots of STi's in Sydney with FMIC, most likely you saw a WRX with a conversion, STi fog light covers and STi wing. Most ppl owning STi's here believe the turbo lag to be bad enough without making it worse by dropping in a FMIC. However, there are many WRX's with FMIC conversions and is what you probably saw. I'm not trying to be condescending, but just pointing out there is a huge "let's turn my WRX into an STi with $xxxx worth of mods" culture going on.

[crazylady137]

The STI does not come with a front mount from the factory, it still comes with a top mount, it is a little bigger then the WRX, but its still a top mount. You can buy a after market front mount intercooler to put on.

[blackwag]

i thought wrx's are 50/50?

[blackwag]

haha i just read this thread all the way through... some of yall really get off on calling somone out huh. funny though