here's the deal. i was planning to put an STI scoop on my MY04 WRX wagon.

Reason: because i think they look cool. yeah maybe there'll be more air but i wasnt planning on changing out the stock intercooler for a while.

here's my concern though: i still want the stock intercooler to do its job. will the bigger scoop NEGATIVLY effect the performance of the stock intercooler?

 

It shouldn't. I did the STi scoop upgrade while back when my 02 was closer to stock. The addtional height added noticible more cooling affect on the stock TMIC.
For further effect, i suggest a adding a splitter to gain additional efficientcy

btw..the stock tmic isnt all that bad...on the east coast i've dynoed with a PE1820 , turbo back exhaust and upipe , stock tmic at 93 degree conditions with 272whp Unichip tuned on 93pump

-D

 

I have the sti scoop on my 04wrx and the only negative thing about it that its a bit too big. Kinda looks funny from the side, especially when you're wingless like me.

 

I would recommend getting an air splitter with the scoop. The reason is that the bigger scoop will send even more air to the back of the IC leaving the front of the IC with less air. I put the APS splitter in my 03 wrx and it seems to have worked well. The day I put it in, I noticed a difference in the way 3rd gear fealt near the top of the rpm range (like 70 mph).

I am not sure if APS makes one for the 04 wrx though.

 

what does a splitter cost and is it difficult to install?

any of you guys who have done this, direct me to pics of your car

 

Costs vary by make, took like 4 minutes to put in. Not sure who makes them for 04 wrx. You may be able to just get the splitter that comes with the STI. I believe it comes stock with one.