Originally posted by AirKnight:
Then why would the STi have the scoop over the intercooler if stones is going to destroy the intercooler fins? For non turbo Impreza, that scoop is over the airfilter. I'm not arguing about having the scoop facing incoming air or backward becasue I know how reverse facing scoop can work. I'm arguing about where it is placed. The airfilter doesn't draw air from the front valve cover area. So, logically the closer the scoop is to the airfilter area the better it is.
Are ya sure about that, slugger?
Perhaps It's just my poor eyes, but can ya show me where the scoop on this non turbo impreza is? I'm sure its just me and I'm hard of sight. Please, educate me. Err.. Hold on, the non turbo Impreza's dont have a scoop.
The intercooler on a WRX (*gasp* even the non STi version) has a screen to protect it from rocks and pebbles. This is how they can get away with a scoop like this. And it NEEDS that scoop there, hence the name interCOOLer.. Dont think it would be able to cool that incoming air if it was in the engine bay without a scoop there.
So you would like a scoop placed over the air filter. That's cool, slick. But Norcal won't be responsible when you hydrolock your engine when you drive in a rainstorm.
Even with a scoop over the air filter, you're still going to experience heatsoak from a stop. NOTHING short of a plastic heat shield will prevent hot engine air from migrating over to the air filter while the car is not in motion. Not even a dainty little hole cut in the hood above the filter.
Next point. When the car is in motion, air is already circulating through the engine bay. The filter will be sucking in slightly wamrer than ambient air... And on a hot day, 98 degree air isn't gonna make a lot of difference over 93 degree air.
have a charming day.
