front mount intercooler: why didn't subaru do this for the sti

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02-27-2004, 07:51 PM

#16

scarywoody

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when i was at the subaru dealership checking out Sti's..the salesmen made a valid, but somewhat non issue point. He noticed my VW with a FMIC. He said something to the effect of getting in a fender bender and having to replace an IC along with the front bumper. It makes sense, but he made it sound like that was the only reason it was up there.

02-28-2004, 09:00 AM

#17

wewu

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wasn't the tmic originally used in rally since it would be less susceptible to damage from road debris?? I think I read that in some magazine and they were writing about the nissan pulsar gti-r

03-01-2004, 08:56 PM

#18

Kevin M

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Location: Reno, NV

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Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red

There are regulations that require that repair cost for a low-speed collision not be excessive. Having to replace a FMIC for a 10-mph tap = excessive cast. the real reasons Subaru chooses a top mount are cost and performance. Cost is self-explanatory. Performance means that Subaru chooses throttle response and quick spool over higher top end performance, especially when the limits of the stock top mount system are so much higher than what the stock motor produces.

Prodrive builds its intercooler system with no cost limitations and different performance objectives. They also have no government crash safety regulations to contend with, hence bumper-free carbon-fiber (now urethane for cost reasons) front lips.