NorCalDC5

iTrader: (12)

If he has an 02 wrx and is running the stock td04 turbo honestly there is no reason for him to go with anything bigger than a stock STi TMIC.

Brfatal

You're wasting your money. Stock intercooler or STI at largest.

I hope you're tuned for that intake.

aboothman

iTrader: (8)

Agreed. STI intercooler is a great unit

PikkaGTR

iTrader: (4)

stok turbo staying in there for a while?
stick with the stock TMIC
a larger STi unit will be a slight upgrade but s stg2 wrx td04 isnt going to generate enough heat to require a TMIC upgrade

DerekB707

iTrader: (21)

I like my Spearco, wouldn't really justify it though without a upgraded turbo. I just like not having to deal with the smog nonsence every couple years with FMIC's.

OneManArmy

iTrader: (7)

werd!

JDM or US STI would be fine.

No way is he going to be taxing cooling with a TD04. Or just buy one of those ebay ones.

I wouldn't be dumping the money that APS, Process West or any of those top end ones will cost. That's something you do when you're at that point in modding.

It's like if someone says... what kind of turbo should I get? Oh... get a 35r that's a great turbo.... well not when your motor is a stock ej20 it's not.


Buying a crazy expensive tmic while you don't have parts that need it is pointless hood popping at car meets fodder.

Ballz

iTrader: (44)

If that's all you got, forget the intercooler and buy a turbo and some headers first, intercooler isnt gonna do jack sh... Plus even with a say a Tomei turbo and equal length headers stock intercooler is still good...

Brfatal

Ballz

iTrader: (44)

Laaaaaaaaaaa... How is what I said retarded?

Brfatal <--- newwwb

02RS25

iTrader: (9)

im not exactly sure he said that...

OP, as everyone has said. STI for stock TD04 is as big as u NEED. WANT, thats a diff story.

flat489

iTrader: (7)

+ 1 stock wrx intercooler with an upgraded turbo? seems like that is just begging for heatsoak

OneManArmy

iTrader: (7)

TONS of people run stock intercoolers with upgraded turbos... or upgrade to an STI intercooler.

Is it better to run a super nice one... sure. Is it necessary... depends on your goals and circumstances.

So the question is... what are the goals?

If the stock turbo is staying in there... then an $800 intercooler seems like a pointless investment. For that much money you can do a lot of other mods that would make a much larger difference.

An intercooler is one of those things you upgrade WHEN you're doing a larger turbo and pushing the boost up.

TD04... totally not necessary. An STI intercooler can handle quite a bit.


As for FMIC... pretty much pointless for most people.

02RS25

iTrader: (9)

I always saw FMIC like this:

<450=Bling bling
>450=function

Heedz

iTrader: (51)

Side mount with dual K04s!!!

Ballz

iTrader: (44)

nope