intercooler on the hood above engine like in a subaru

[92wip4dr]

im thinking about custom placing my intercooler above my motor and cutting a intercooler sized hole in the hood with a functional scoop over it and im wondering what your opinions on this are.. functionality, looks, time/effort worth? as to just in the front like everyone else.. just trying to come up with some unique ideas

[8ball]

I think I've read that placing the intercool on the the top (top mount intercooler) is not as functional as a front mount intercooler.

Just something to think about.

For example Ill be getting a 98 front mount intake from ebay. and having the ends bead rolled and such when I go turbo. Save a penny bro.

[cincy90h22]

im thinking about custom placing my intercooler above my motor and cutting a intercooler sized hole in the hood with a functional scoop over it and im wondering what your opinions on this are.. functionality, looks, time/effort worth? as to just in the front like everyone else.. just trying to come up with some unique ideas

go for it. Im doing this with my supercharger build, however it wont be centered under the hood and it wont have a 'scoop' so to speak. Cant tell you exactly what Im gonna do, until its done, and I show you lol.

edit** true, it will not be as good as a front mount, but it is functional still. Be careful the size and shape of the scoop, it could ruin the look of your car.

[92wip4dr]

yea im gonna place it where it will catch air from the scoop and pass thru to the bottom of the bay sorta speak if you know what i mean?? im sure ill end up doing and ill forsure put up some pix but if i dont like it or it just really doesnt perform well enough ill just put it in the bumper and get a new hood or try to use the hole for something else maby run the turbo intake to the scoop instead of taking a headlight out if you know what i mean

[cincy90h22]

Is this a race car? If not why would you contemplate removing a headlight..

[dysfunk]

Here's some candy for your thoughts....

Heat rises.... The hood will trap the heat, even with a hole in it.... Subarus with top mounts use plastic for the piping and manifolds to cut down on heat.


Also, the front of the car splits the air, not as much air flow will go into the scoop to cool the intercooler.... Hence, why its not as effective. I have subaru friends who are converting from top mount to front mount... That said, I don't think its worth it.

[92wip4dr]

damn i forgot about heat rising.. thanks for the advice ditching the idea now lol thanks again

[92smokeaccord]

here is what i think about this....with a suby,the set up is completly different as to our l4 engines.the boxer suby motor design is like this,the intercooler is no where near anything in the bay that produces a lot of heat for instance.the maniflold for the turbo.the manifolds are almost on the botom of the car where heat escapes and bay temps are low.in our l4 engines the manifold is right in front where the most heat comes from.now with the car in motion the heat is pushed up and down so it would eaither hit the intercooler and heat it up or go out the bottom.in subys it a win win..the cool air comes in the scoop cools the intercooler the cools the motor some aswell as help the exhaust temps out the bottom of the car so it doesnt back up in the bay and heat soak the intercooler..in our cars the heat dosent escape as easy as the subys.but a front mount on anything is prob ur best bet.just dont get a massive sized one unless you need it.

[92wip4dr]

ok thanks a lot saves me a lot of time and thought i love this forum!

[wherm]

I have subaru friends who are converting from top mount to front mount... That said, I don't think its worth it.

Same here... Even heard stories of wrx's and sti's stalling on very hot days at stop lights. Everyone I know went to front mount.

[deevergote]

Here's some candy for your thoughts....

Heat rises.... The hood will trap the heat, even with a hole in it.... Subarus with top mounts use plastic for the piping and manifolds to cut down on heat.


Also, the front of the car splits the air, not as much air flow will go into the scoop to cool the intercooler.... Hence, why its not as effective. I have subaru friends who are converting from top mount to front mount... That said, I don't think its worth it.

here is what i think about this....with a suby,the set up is completly different as to our l4 engines.the boxer suby motor design is like this,the intercooler is no where near anything in the bay that produces a lot of heat for instance.the maniflold for the turbo.the manifolds are almost on the botom of the car where heat escapes and bay temps are low.in our l4 engines the manifold is right in front where the most heat comes from.now with the car in motion the heat is pushed up and down so it would eaither hit the intercooler and heat it up or go out the bottom.in subys it a win win..the cool air comes in the scoop cools the intercooler the cools the motor some aswell as help the exhaust temps out the bottom of the car so it doesnt back up in the bay and heat soak the intercooler..in our cars the heat dosent escape as easy as the subys.but a front mount on anything is prob ur best bet.just dont get a massive sized one unless you need it.

These two comments pretty much cover all the points.

The scoop likely won't be terribly functional, and the I4 with the exhaust manifold up top in the front is a VERY different design than the Subaru's boxer.

I've never seen a top mount on an inline engine. Only on rotaries and boxers.