hood scoop swap w/wrx...how much performance sacrificed

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05-01-2004, 10:07 PM

Ripov

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hood scoop swap w/wrx...how much performance sacrificed

im considering getting a my05 sti. i plan to eventually swap the wing to the stock wrx wing. im also considering swapping the huge hood scoop for the wrx's.
i know the hood scoop is functional as is the wing at high speeds (though i would imagine very little due to the amount of flex it has). im also aware that i have the option to buy another car altogether, so the smart @sses who just want to chime in and say 'if you dont like the way they look, dont buy the car', dont bother.
i want to switch for aesthetic reasons, but im concerned about function also. can i do damage to the engine/turbo by swapping? how much airflow would i actually be losing? would i just be losing a few horsepower? how serious will it effect the overall performance of the car?
im not interested in a fmic. thats way more than the few bolt on and other simple mods i plan to do. also, i realize theres probably no hard data on this subject. i would just like the opinions of the tech guys out there.
one analogy i read somewhere said itd be like trying to run with a straw in your mouth. that sounded a bit dramatic to me, not to mention vague.
knowledgeable input would be greatly appreciated. im trying to decide between the sti and the evo mr (if it ever comes and if mitsu doesnt go bankrupt).
thanks

Last edited by Ripov; 05-01-2004 at 10:11 PM.

05-01-2004, 11:07 PM

SlickmisterN

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Join Date: Apr 2003

Location: LIC Motorsports

Posts: 1,019

Car Info: 2004 Black/Gold STi

I doubt you have any problems with overheating. But I think you would lose quit a bit of horses.

05-02-2004, 05:51 PM

cycl42

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I am also interestd in getting a 2005 STI and I also want to swap the hood and trunk. I was thinking of swaping the hood with one that is vented and changing the intercooler to a front mount. Has anyone done this? What kind of hood can I swap it with? I want a car that does not look like a rally car.

05-02-2004, 11:34 PM

SlickmisterN

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Join Date: Apr 2003

Location: LIC Motorsports

Posts: 1,019

Car Info: 2004 Black/Gold STi

Im pretty sure you can swap with just an RS hood. It has no scoop at all.
http://www.autobytel.com/content/res...s_id_int/30725

05-03-2004, 04:41 PM

Ripov

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ok...so i wont have to worry about overheating? any guesses on power loss with the smaller scoop? if its 10 or less hp, maybe i could live with it. somebody out there is bound to have a clue.

05-03-2004, 05:15 PM

meilers

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Join Date: Mar 2003

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Posts: 2,023

Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by SlickmisterN
Im pretty sure you can swap with just an RS hood. It has no scoop at all.
http://www.autobytel.com/content/res...s_id_int/30725

No, you don't want an intercooler without any airflow -- you'd be HEATING the intercooler with air from the engine compartment, not cooling the turbo air like you are supposed to. Even with a FMIC I'd keep a slot in the hood to allow for air to circulate, the STI engine runs HOT HOT HOT.

My 02 non-STI WRX runs so hot under the hood that it keeps oil and engine temp for two full hours after I turn the car off. I can get in the car and turn the key and the temp gauge will be sitting right at the 48% mark, just like I was driving on the highway. With that much heat in the compartment, you have to have some type of venting.

Oh, and BTW, adding a FMIC will make your STI look MORE like a rally car, not less