WRX/STi

One of the most common modifications for WRX owners, particularly those who plan to tune for performance, is upgrading to a performance intercooler. Here at Mishimoto, we’ve been making performance intercoolers for the WRX for quite a while. Since we’ve covered the last few generations and already made a top-mount intercooler for the current fifth generation, we figured the next logical step was to produce a front-mounted version for the 2022+ WRX.

Let’s take a look at what our engineers had in mind when they got to the drawing board.

Design Overview

  • Create an intercooler that performs better than the stock intercooler
  • Minimize the pressure drop normally associated with a front-mount intercooler kit
  • Include replacement bumper bar with a location for the factory tow hook
  • Direct fit kit with minimal trimming required
  • Allow for fitment of aftermarket front strut bars

The first step to designing a performance product that aims to outperform its stock

It’s old news now that the VB WRX is a much more grown up, and civilized version of its former rally-racing self. Now days, the minimal frills road ready racecar has been replaced with a modest, creature comfort laden, family oriented sporty sedan. Now, we’re not saying there’s anything wrong with wanting to be comfortable with a dash of performance, but we all know this civilized look for the WRX is just a façade. Underneath that new “dad bod” is the same rowdy rally-inspired AWD sedan that’s a magnet for modification, and nothing helps turbo mods stick better quite like an upgraded intercooler.

The top-mounted intercooler has been a long-standing Subaru tradition for their turbo-flavored vehicles. You may be wondering why this style of intercooler has lasted so long trapped under the hood with residual engine bay, which is a valid concern. Essentially this method of intercooler placement mitigates turbo lag by reducing the amount of intercooler piping by half. There’s no cold-side piping

Most would jump at the chance to relive their rambunctious youth and dive back into those nostalgic core memories that have turned into lively stories with old friends. Some, though, would be harder to convince, like the VB WRX. This former Scandi-flicking, boxer-growling, rally racing bad-boy has turned grown-up family man and is content with leaving that lifestyle behind. We like to think that we’re pretty convincing, though, and feel we can entice that rally-racer inspiration out with the help of a new intake.

Our negotiations kick off with the start of our prototype. With our design plans solidified in our last post, we dove straight into bringing the preliminary versions of this intake to life right here in the R&D facility. 

Fabrication started with our inlet tube. While we plan to mandrel bend our final design, utilizing the cut and weld method will deliver the needed results at this stage of our development process. Basically, we need to ensure this pipe design will fit in this

With the automotive’s electrified future is creeping in, and we enthusiasts are holding our fuel-burning fun machines even closer. Our protective instinct washes over us to ensure that the legacy of the Subaru turbo boxer lives on. Protection from what exactly? Well, itself. In our first post we covered the detrimental side-effect that afflicts every internal combustion engine, especially engines like the FA24, blow-by. Luckily, our cure is ready to install.

Like the WRX, our catch can kit evolved over the development process, changing locations and designs mid-process. Through our updates, our engineer, Anthony, finalized our latest design, and we’re excited to show it off.

With our kit fully developed, we still needed to answer one important question, how well does it protect the WRX’s FA24? Well, to find out, we sent our WRX on a 1000-mile commuting journey to develop a baseline in blow-by collection for this application. This driving cycle also tests the integration of our catch can

The WRX has been a long-standing namesake in the Subaru lineup, and for a good reason. Its rally-inspired heritage has evolved into a distinct, affordable sporty sedan that is a sucker for bolt-on modifications. However, even as the WRX grows and changes through each iteration, some things remain a constant theme – temperature management, specifically when it comes to oil. 

Engine oil is the lifeblood of any vehicle, and maintaining its temperature is ideal for proper lubrication. Subaru knows this and keeps the FA24 T’s engine oil temps in check with a liquid-to-liquid stacked plate cooler right at the oil filter housing. However, as the power increases or the driving conditions become more demanding, this stock cooler becomes less efficient and detrimental to the rest of the system, which can cause an isolated case of global warming under the hood. So basically, by giving the stock cooler some backup, it’s easier to keep the engine oil at its proper operating temperature while not adding