Top Mount or Front Mount?

I've got an '03 Wagon that I just bought a VF22 turbo for, I keep getting differing opinions on which intercooler to use, top mount or front mount.
Anybody have some good thoughts on which would be best?

 

for vf-22...top mount. ya just don't need that much of an IC with any vf series

 

Unless you are going BIG, a TMIC will be plenty.

 

I recommend TMIC for VF series turbo. With bigger TMIC, you should make very similar power with faster spool up as well. FMIC looks cool and makes more power, but I don't want to compromise with the safety features that Subaru put into get Five Star crash rating*. Also, the radiator upgrade is recommended along with FMIC due to restricted air flow (more $$$).

* With most of FMIC, you need to remove the front bumper beam, which was designed to absorb and distribute collision force during frontal impact. Without this, even minor front impact will cost you big bucks.

 

There a quite a few good posts on here talking about the advantages / disadvantages of each. A quick search yielded these, you might want to look through them. You can do a more advanced search to try and answer a few questions these posts do not cover.

Linky 1

Linky 2

 

You don't need to upgrade your radiator.....I'm still running the stocker and NEVER had overheating problems.

 

Go FMIC with the VF22. If you are even slightly thinking of going bigger later definately go FMIC. Spoolup is very overrated.

 

I have to agree. I have had a vf22 with both a FM and a TM and the FM felt so much stronger and made more power on the dyno. Also, with a FM and I never had any overheating issues either. Granted the vf22 is on the small side but you will eventually want a bigger snail . a FMIC is a good way to future proof.

 

Also most FMIC cost slightly more than most of the 'BEST' topmounts.

 

well both coolrex (FM)and my car (huge TM) are nearly identical in setup, before his latest header addition the power diff at redline was about 8-12hp in his favor. The tq was Identical but at just before 4Krpm I had 80ftlbs and almost 60hp more.

I think for street TM for track FM, huge turbo FM.
Just my 2 cents.

 

Yeah Techlord but you would've gotten WALKED just like Daniel did. Your plot and Daniels were IDENTICAL and Daniel got pulled 2 car lengths. Midrange power FTW! Look how much more I made from 4.5K to 6K.....that's a lot.

Here's that plot of me vs Daniel. Yes Daniel made more sooner but real results talk.

 

lol I knew you would come back with something like that. I was illustrating the diff for the OP and I would venture to guess that TM is more streetable.

I am guessing the only way to settle this once and for all is with a race, when you coming to the ATL again? I am dying to get back to the strip again especially for some friendly battles but we know you have some UberJDMmagicboostProducinglaunchingtechniquethatnoOnecanmatch

 

I will respond with this......I love the way Daniels car drives WAY better than mine. It's responsive and very driveable. It's all what you want.....driveability or ultimate power.

Throw a FMIC on Techlord's car and headers and we would be dead even

 

except your accidental 207 and forged pistons from Subaru :keke:

 

TechLord next time I go to Atlanta I'll be sporting a fully built 2.5L with some ACTUAL forged goodies

 

oh come on Delette...it was a joke that you yourself have made on this forum before

 

I know.....that was me laughing with ya. :wiggle:

 

you will be back before then. That block has been sitting and I know you aint doing squat till you blow your stock shit up.

 

I'm building my engine myself. The bottom end of the block is already built and sealed up. Head work is all that is left engine wise. If I don't blow up my stock engine by May 2010 it's getting yanked. I'm giving the car until I make the last payment on it, then it's gonna get really nasty really quick.

 

I agree with Techlord on driveability and FMIC = bigger turbo, track, but I would prefer the TMIC for the spoolup because I enjoy Auto-x and those courses are set up more for the fast revving miatas and hondas. Jeb has a FM and when we ride with each other I can notice a difference how responsive the car accelerates when you come through a turn at 2500 RPMs before being able to jump into boost.

 

so is it the collaborative opinion of most that with the vf22 I should use front mount if I want more track performance and top mount for more street performance?

 

i still think any vf should be mated to a tmic. the 22 just doesn't flow enough to sacrifice response, and don't you drive on the street more than the track

 

Siegel used to say one of his favorite WRX setups was a VF34 with a FMIC.

 

i am running vf39 with a FMIC....lag almost none after tune. How much off a lag/spool up difference are we talking here between fmic and tmic...couple of hundred RPMs? If so, port polish stock manifold, up pipe, get a bigger crossover pipe, coat and thermal wrap everything, and you'll prbly gain more than you have lost? Correct if i am wrong anywhere?