Hello! Allow me to preface this by writing that this may be a stupid question, but I've been searching and am having trouble finding a definitive answer. Anyway, my issue is as follows: I am gathering parts for a turbo upgrade on my 2004 WRX wagon. I am eventually hoping to put a VF34 on it, and I just received a USDM top mount intercooler. Now, I realize that in order to take full advantage of the intercooler, I'm supposed to run a different splitter and scoop. However, I do NOT like the looks of the Sti scoop. I don't mean to offend anyone who has one (to each his own), but in my eyes it's just too damn big. I would LIKE to run the scoop I have now (I even wish it was smaller), but I realize that the splitter that goes under an Sti hood is too tall for my stock scoop. I have, however, heard word on people running a modified V7 Sti splitter under the stock 04 style wrx scoop. I suppose my final question is, if I buy the V7 Sti splitter and put it under my stock scoop, will it be nearly as effective as just biting the bullet and putting the USDM splitter and scoop on my car? Or am I simply wasting all the money I spent on the intercooler by trying the aforementioned setup? Thanks in advance for any help... I know that was kind of a long read.
just use your stock setup it will work fine. It may not cover the entire IC but it would not if you had a huge TM like myself and a STI splitter. Otherwiser FMIC.
I've wondered about the idea of just using the stock scoop and splitter.... I may try it at first, but I have a feeling that it won't be the best idea with hot Atlanta summers and traffic. A FMIC would be okay, but I see two major issues with that: 1. It's expensive. 2. The whole reason I'm leaning towards the VF34 is because I want better top end power, but I don't want to lose anymore low end than I have to.... I imagine that a front mount would just make lag with the larger turbo even worse. I've read that a front mount is a little much for most VF series turbo anyway.... (However, I don't know how much truth there is to that statement.)
I have a front mount on my stock legacygt turbo (about to get a 20G) and i noticed little lag going from the topmount to this. The expense thing is the truth though and you have to chase boost leaks like a mofo, at least I am
To get the same efficiency as the bigger scoop and the splitter you can modify the V7 splitter by adding more vanes that will direct air to cover more portions of the IC. By doing that you should be able to achieve or better the efficiency of the bigger splitter that only has 2 vanes to marginally direct air to the IC.
Just get an o6-07 scoop. Its not as big as the 04-05 sti scoops. Or just go front mount and get the reverse vent if you absolutely despise scoops
WHOA!!!! Does the 06-07 STi scoop fit the 04-05 models? If so, I would be all over that! Edit: Based on what I've seen in some searching, I pretty sure it doesn't.:wtc:
Errr...I know for a fact that the 02-03 and 04-05 aren't interchangeable, and I'm thinking the same thing goes for 04-05 to 06-07 (but I'm not 100% positive on the latter).
Is there any way you could have some minor fabrication done to fit the splitter on your smaller scoop?
Are you sure because I've got an ebay sti scoop on my bug eye and the only difference was the size of the screws in which I just went to pep boys and got different nuts that fit. I've also seen other bug eyes with sti scoops on them (not the ebay cf scoop)
There are scoops made for the bugeyes that look like the 04-05 sti scoops, but a stock STi hoodscoop won't work on a bugeye hood. I don't know your car but you're scoop must either be the same design as the 02-03 STi scoop (not USDM, what I have in my sig) or it mimics the look of the 04-05 sti scoop. You're starting to make me doubt myself, but I'm like 99.9% sure of this.
Late Back to the original post, I'd say that you'd be fine with the stock hood and splitter. Granted the flow on the intercooler isn't going to be optimal, but I really doubt it will be an enormous difference. You may be able to alter an aftermarket splitter to work with it too.
OH REALLY?!? You don't think that a front mount would end up introducing unwanted lag if it's on a basic VF34 upgraded car tuned for pump gas? The only way I could afford a front mount is to go the Ebay route. Based on my reading, the ebay front mount tends to be a little better than the topmounts. Am I understanding this correctly?
The "Classic WRX Stage 4" was always VF-34, FMIC, JDM Pink Injectors. This was normally good for near 300whp and 300wlb-ft. Granted this was with a "real" FMIC, but at that power level the SSAC (better of the ebay FMIC's) is probably fine.... Siegel
Thanks for the input, Scott. (And everyone else, too.) I've just got to sit down and think about it, I guess. I could resell my STi topmount and get back the money I spent on it, but with the front mount I would still have to contend with cutting up my front bumper and finding a decent intake, as well as deal with all the leaks that some of the cheaper front mount setups are notorious for.... Eh, I might just have to suck it up and get a bigger scoop and splitter.... I'm still tempted to try modifying a V7 splitter to make it fit, but I know it won't really cool as well as the bigger scoop; I think that will annoy me over time. I'm at the point where I'm just tired of thinking about this so much. I just want to get damn thing built, get it tuned, and enjoy it.
No love for the big scoop? You know the stock scoop is too short to function properly above 80-90mph. Above that air just flows over it instead of into it.
It's just too tall, is all. There's no denying it's one of the most functional options I have- I just have to keep telling myself that once it's installed. Who knows, I've only seen one on a wagon in pictures. Maybe once I see it in actuality I'll like it more.
It's not like your buying an e-bay 4" snout although some folks have them and I'm sure they like them(no judgement). I just purchased a stock sti scoop for my 02buGi. I believe it is only 1' taller. With matching paint I don't think it will be more than a subtle change. Seems like a lot of drama: "selling STi topmount and get back the money I spent on it, cutting up my front bumper and finding a decent intake" all that for a one inch hieght difference? Stick with the Sti scoop get matching paint forgedaboutit. Thats just my skinny on it. Good Luck!
I am dropping mine off today at Sprayglo $60 to paint(not bad). Once I get it on I will post some pic's for you.