lol well there we have it, all answers cleared.

 

btw ive always wondered why people got front mount intercoolers for STi? is it just because its better when placed at the front?

 

The stock STI top mount is fine for turbos like the stock vf39, 18g, and sometimes 20g. When you go bigger than that, you tend to need a front mount to prevent heat soak and maintain constant temps. If you plan on tracking the car (not referring to drag strip) then it would help a lot. It does add lag, as there is more piping to it. Another condition where a front mount would be warranted is in super hot parts of the world. Again, it comes down to heat soak though. On a stock or near stock car, it's a worthless mod though.

Location actually is not the reason, because there are lots of downfalls to FMICs. Rocks, animals, snow, etc. Bent fins will put a damper on anyone's day. TMIC tend to steer clear of that for the most part.

 

Also - make sure your buddy verifies that there is a tune on the car. Subaru's are picky, and almost everything requires a tune to run. Catback being one of the only exceptions. Since he has a downpipe on it, it needs a tune or he will be looking at a new engine in the future.

Blow off valves are worthless as well. Tell him not to do that either.

 

thanks for the info, ye i agree with blow off valve since the STi already has a diverter valve that imo makes more sense

 

I drive an STi everyday. :-)


Love it! I just got some new snow tires mounted Saturday. So for the first time in my life i say "Bring it winter...bring it" lol


BOV's are bad on cars without a pro-tune. the stock recirc valve keeps your MAF readings good, but if you vent to atmosphere it will wreck those readings. Get an intake and the recirc valve is plenty loud.

 

You can't "tune" for a BOV. You want to use a recirc valve until you're running something like 23ish psi, which is what they can hold. That's usually the only time you'll need a vent to atmosphere. It's a rich condition between shifts, not tunable. Either that or if you're running blow thru maf.

 

The American WRXs are crap compared to the JDM spec ones we get over here.

 

It does have a front mount intercooler. I didn't even know what the STI came with a top mount. It does have a BOV and it does have a Cobb access port tuner on it. All of this the PO did.

 

I am a 1st owner of a '99 2.5rs 2 door Sti. I bought a rally motor and a JDM 6-spd tranny(I race it on the road course). I love it, it has all the mods done. Evo's are cool too. I only run 20.5psi on the track and it has gobbs of powa'. It turns heads when the 50/50 BOV goes off. It is my monster!