GrimmSpeed Top Mount Intercooler

When it comes to selecting the right intercooler with maximum cooling and minimum restriction, then check out this GrimmSpeed unit. As air is pressurized by your turbo, it heats up, not because of the heat of the turbocharger, but because when they’re compressed, the atoms in the air are forced closer together and as a result, move faster and have more energy. That energy manifests itself as heat. The more heat we can remove from the system, the denser the air becomes and that’s what helps eliminate pre-detonation, or ‘knock’, allowing for increased output from your system. Your OEM TMIC does just fine at stock boost under normal use, but as soon as you start putting some real heat into it with higher boost or harder use, it heat-soaks beyond recovery.

These units have been engineered to find that perfect balance with heat transfer and pressure drop. They began by laser scanning an OEM TMIC to plot the mounting points and space claim in CAD with pinpoint accuracy. At the same time, they designed a custom bar and plate core with overall dimensions, fin density and fin types that would provide the insane heat transfer area they require with minimal flow restriction. With core size nailed down, they got to work designing end tanks that offered smooth flow, perfect fitment and even distribution of the hot charge air through the core. Countless revisions were tested in flow simulation before they finally found exactly the characteristics that they wanted. From there, 3D printed prototypes were used to confirm fitment and we began work on manufacturing details in preparation for verification testing and production.

Each and every end tank is cast from the same CNC machined mold, ensuring not just dimensionally perfect castings with an amazing surface finish, but also excellent repeatability. They designed tabs to be laser cut and CNC bent from 5052 aluminum, selected for its ductile nature, to ensure that the bending and welding processes don’t compromise their integrity. And this will allow for stock TMIC bushings. These are also designed to work with your stock y-pipe. Of course if you don't have one they've also designed a cast aluminum y-pipe kit with a 4-piece 5-ply silicone couplers and t-bolt clamps for each connection.

04-05 Forester XT require a STI BOV and STI BOV recirculation hose.

WRX and Forester models will need OEM STI or GrimmSpeed Y-Pipe Kit