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Subaru STi Front-Mount Intercooler 2015+

  1. A Front-Mount for the 2015 STi, Part 4: Final Prototype Fitting

    A Front-Mount for the 2015 STi, Part 4: Final Prototype Fitting

    Putting together our final prototype was a bit easier for this project compared to other front-mount intercooler (FMIC) kits our team has developed. As mentioned in previous segments, we used the crash beam and intercooler from our 2015 WRX kit. Now we've worked up some functional prototype piping for a final test fit.

    First, let's take a quick look at each portion of the kit.

    Intercooler and Crash Beam

    The intercooler core is the key component in any intercooler kit. This core has provided significant air temperature drops during our testing on the WRX, and we expect the same results with the STi.

    Mishimoto STi intercooler and crash beam
    Mishimoto STi intercooler and crash beam

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  2. A Front-Mount for the 2015 STI, Part 3: Hot-Side Intercooler Pipe Fabrication

    A Front-Mount for the 2015 STI, Part 3: Hot-Side Intercooler Pipe Fabrication

    With our cold-side piping complete, it was time to focus on the hot side. This portion of the piping system would require a bit more attention, mainly because we were unable to scavenge any existing pipes from our WRX/STI front-mount intercooler kits (as we did with the cold side). Let's get to it!

    Piping Fabrication

    The hot-side piping will route from the turbocharger compressor outlet, around the driver side of the engine bay, and into the front bumper area to attach to the intercooler.

    Here is a look at the turbocharger connection point.

    2015 STi front-mount intercooler hot-side pipe turbo connection
    2015 STi front-mount intercooler hot-side pipe turbo connection

    A coupler attaches the pipe to the turbocharger.

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  3. A Front-Mount for the 2015 STI, Part 2: Cold-Side Intercooler Pipe Fabrication

    A Front-Mount for the 2015 STI, Part 2: Cold-Side Intercooler Pipe Fabrication

    Our first segment of this STI intercooler project involved the test fitting of our WRX crash beam and intercooler core. We were able to verify fitment of both pieces, which allowed our team to move on to piping fabrication. We are starting this kit with the cold-side pipe, which we've decided to place this on the passenger side of the engine bay to reduce the piping length as much as possible. Following this strategy should help reduce lag seen by the driver.

    Pipe Fabrication

    The cold-side pipe is a great place to start because we are able to use a portion of one of our existing kits. Because the 2015 model shares the EJ from the 2008+, we will be reusing the pipe that attaches to the throttle body and incorporates the BPV (bypass valve).

    2015 STI front-mount</body> " width="300" height="180">
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  4. Dropping Intake Temps. 2015 STI FMIC R&D, Part 1: Core Fitment and Piping Plans

    Dropping Intake Temps. 2015 STI FMIC R&D, Part 1: Core Fitment and Piping Plans

    We've given the 2015 WRX quite a bit of love, mostly due to the introduction of the FA20DIT within the new chassis. Our team developed a ton of awesome components: a downpipe, an intake system, a couple different intercooler options, and various other neat parts. With our WRX projects mostly wrapped up, it's time to turn our attention towards the STi. It still has an EJ engine under the hood, but it is mated to a new chassis that many are taking advantage of in various forms of competitive racing.

    So far we have developed an intake and a cat-back exhaust for the STI. Our next target is a bolt-on front-mount intercooler (FMIC) kit for the 2015 STI. The EJ25 is a well-respected engine that can make great power from basic bolt-ons and tuning. In addition, the sky is the limit in terms of power output once engine internals are upgraded and a large snail is bolted up. Greater power means more heat, resulting in the need for a more efficient heat exchanger for the charge-air system. Thus,

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