WRX/STi

Stay Frosty – Performance Front-Mount Intercooler Kit for the 2022+ Subaru WRX

Posted: January 19, 2024

Categories: Subaru, WRX/STi, 2022+ (VB), 2022+ Subaru WRX, Front-Mount Intercooler Kit

Author: Josh Wayman

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.

Product Promoting: Performance Top-Mount Intercooler, Fits Subaru WRX, 2022+

Posted: February 09, 2023

Categories: WRX/STi

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.

Remember Your Roots – 2022+ Subaru WRX Performance Intake R&D, Part 2 – Prototyping

Posted: February 09, 2023

Categories: Subaru WRX Performance Intake, 2022+

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.

Procrastinating Extinction– 2022+ Subaru WRX Baffled Oil Catch Can R&D, Part 3 – Production Sample and Testing Results

Posted: February 09, 2023

Categories: Subaru WRX Baffled Oil Catch Can, 2022+

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.

Steady On – 2022+ Subaru WRX Oil Cooler R&D, Part 1 – Design Plans and Prototyping

Posted: February 09, 2023

Categories: WRX/STi

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

Remember your Roots - 2022+ Subaru VB WRX Performance Intake Kit R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review and Design Plans

Posted: August 11, 2022

Categories: Subaru WRX Performance Intake, 2022+

The WRX will forever be an enthusiast car. While the initial reactions to the latest iteration of Subaru's sporty sedan we're as gleaming as they once were, the essence of what made this namesake legendary still lurks under the slick new styling, layers of tech, and plush comfort features. The turbocharged flat-four mated to a full-time AWD system that still powers the WRX today is why it rumbled its way into our hearts and many of our driveways. As this rally racing legend evolved into the VB platform, however, some of those rambunctious roots were forgotten along the way, but we hope to jog its memory.

Some things never change. Like how Subaru hasn't strayed from its boxer engine layout since its introduction, we enthusiasts often start our automotive attitude adjustment with

Procrastinating Extinction - 2022+ Subaru WRX Baffled Oil Catch Can R&D, Part 2 - Design Update

Posted: June 27, 2022

Categories: Subaru WRX Baffled Oil Catch Can, 2022+

Let's face it; nobody's perfect. From the OEMs and the engineers to the one turning our product development into engaging behind-the-scenes blog content (yours truly), no one can claim the superlative of "No longer Needs Improvement." Yet, as unattainable as the concept of perfection is, it's our human nature to chase it still. No matter our trade or walks of life, we're always striving to improve and enhance every aspect of our lives one step at a time.

Since we, the human race, are intrinsically less than perfect, the same could be said about the things we make and create. The constant cycle of innovation is just another journey toward the ever-elusive destination of perfection. While we may never reach that destination, each iteration is still a step above the last. It's an improvement on the creation and for those making the revisions. Case and point, the 2022+ Subaru WRX. The VB may be the latest and greatest of the highly-regarded road-going rally car, but some aspects still need

Procrastinating Extinction - 2022+ Subaru WRX Baffled Oil Catch Can R&D, Part 1 - Concept and Design Plans

Posted: May 31, 2022

Categories: Subaru WRX Baffled Oil Catch Can, 2022+

The days of the internal combustion engine are numbered. That's not much of a surprise given the impending electrified takeover, but keeping our precious gas burning, manual shifting, turbocharged machines in proper working order is that much more important. The trouble is that the VB WRX's main nemesis is itself, or at least the by-product of its operation. Like every WRX before this one and fossil fuel-powered engine to hit the streets, blow-by and carbon build-up lurk in the vehicle's intake tract. Not to worry, though. We're already on the case to preserve the WRX's power plant.

If you're scratching your head at the notorious boogyman that is blow-by and how to prevent this monster from attacking your WRX, let's review. Any internal combustion engine operates by using thousands of tiny explosions to drive the piston to the bottom of the cylinder. This process turns the crankshaft, generating the power to propel you down the highway. The downside is that not all of the combustion

Refined Rally - 2022+ Subaru WRX Introduction

Posted: April 21, 2022

Categories: Subaru WRX Introduction, 2022+

Subaru's WRX and rally racing have long been synonymous with each other. Ever since Colin MacRae's iconic blue and gold GC8 dominated the dirt through the early '90s, enthusiasts worldwide sought out their own rally car for the road. Subaru fulfilled this desire for dirt-ready road warriors for four generations and plenty of re-stylings, injecting their rally racing heritage into each generation. As the WRX saw more time on highways and commute routes, each new generation needed to grow up to also fill the daily driver role. After seven years with the VA, it was time for an update. Enter the fifth-generation 2022 VB WRX. This generation hits the streets as the most mature and sophisticated WRX to date but still remembers its roots. It still fills the role of the AWD fun machine, ready to tackle rally stages and long stretches of highway, but still leaves "Rex-heads" out there with the same desire: bigger and better performance. So naturally, we couldn't wait to get our hands on this WRX.

Top Contender - Street Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 2 - Production Sample and Test Results

Posted: June 03, 2019

Categories: Subaru WRX Street Performance Top-Mount Intercooler, 2015+

Turbo boxer has a nice ring to it. It's perfect for one of those boxing games found in a retro arcade. Then again, Top Contender probably fits best, but I called dibs on that. Really though, Turbo boxer is a great descriptor for the WRX's powerplant. Much like those retro arcade games, tuning and modding your Subaru is all about finding the right combination for the hardest hitting punch, with the intercooler being an integral part of that proverbial button sequence.

We last left you with our master plan like some sort of Bond villain divulging our scheme for world domination before our dashing secret agent makes his daring escape. Unlike those campy nemeses, we followed through. From metal framework and 3D printed end tanks to full aluminum glory, let's take a look at the WRX Street Performance

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Stay Frosty – Performance Front-Mount Intercooler Kit for the 2022+ Subaru WRX

Product Promoting: Performance Top-Mount Intercooler, Fits Subaru WRX, 2022+

Remember Your Roots – 2022+ Subaru WRX Performance Intake R&D, Part 2 – Prototyping

Procrastinating Extinction– 2022+ Subaru WRX Baffled Oil Catch Can R&D, Part 3 – Production Sample and Testing Results

Steady On – 2022+ Subaru WRX Oil Cooler R&D, Part 1 – Design Plans and Prototyping

Remember your Roots - 2022+ Subaru VB WRX Performance Intake Kit R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review and Design Plans

Procrastinating Extinction - 2022+ Subaru WRX Baffled Oil Catch Can R&D, Part 2 - Design Update

Procrastinating Extinction - 2022+ Subaru WRX Baffled Oil Catch Can R&D, Part 1 - Concept and Design Plans

Refined Rally - 2022+ Subaru WRX Introduction

Top Contender - Street Performance Intercooler R&D, Part 2 - Production Sample and Test Results

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