Compatible: (2.0L)
2015 - 2021 Subaru WRX
Here at Mishimoto, we've decided to expand our line of 2015 WRX parts. Designed for applications that demand the greatest airflow and cooling capabilities, the Mishimoto 2015 WRX Front-Mount Intercooler Kit provides your 2015 WRX with the ability to make the most horsepower and torque possible. This 2015 WRX intercooler was designed with a large 28 intercooler core that provides the maximum cooling capability without excessive pressure drops that wear out any turbocharger over time. The Mishimoto 2015 WRX front-mount intercooler features smooth cast end tanks that are CFD tested for maximum airflow with no sharp walls or bends from cut-and-weld end tanks that disrupt airflow. The intercooler provides the best airflow and heat-exchange properties for those time-attack laps, or a 10-second blast down the quarter-mile.
The Mishimoto Subaru WRX Front-Mount Intercooler also features four mandrel-bent aluminum pipes for optimum airflow. The hot-side pipes are 2.25" in diameter to keep airflow velocities high, giving your car an instant response without the excessive throttle lag that plagues many front-mount intercooler designs. The hot-side pipe also features a CNC-machined flange for a leak-free connection to the turbo. The cold side of the system features 2.5" to 2.75" mandrel-bent aluminum tubing for maximum airflow and to match the diameter of your throttle body.
This 2015 WRX front-mount intercooler kit contains everything needed for a worry-free installation, including an application-specific crash bar that both supports the intercooler and mounts to existing points on the vehicle. No cutting of the front bumper or drilling is required to install the crash bar and intercooler. The kit includes all necessary mounting brackets, including a new bracket for the air intake. Our 2015 WRX front-mount intercooler kit also includes every coupler and clamp you need for a clean install, and complements the Mishimoto Subaru WRX Performance Air Intake for added cooling power.
Mishimoto tested this WRX intercooler on our Stage 2 265 whp 2015 WRX to find significant drops in AITs (air intake temperatures), and it has also been flow tested to over 600 whp! The 2015 WRX front-mount intercooler kit is available with either a Sleek Silver or Stealth Black cooler and, like all our 2015 WRX parts, includes the Mishimoto Lifetime Warranty, ensuring superior product quality and craftsmanship.
Worried that paint reduces performance? Check out our Painted Intercooler Engineering Report to learn how we debunked that myth!
PURCHASE INCLUDES
(1) Bar-and-Plate Intercooler
(1) Steel Crash Bar w/Mounting Hardware
(2) Hot-Side Intercooler Pipes
(2) Cold-Side Intercooler Pipes
(1) Air Intake Bracket
(1) 2.25" 45° Coupler
(1) 2.25" to 2.75" 45° Transition Coupler
(1) 2.5" to 2.75" 55° Transition Coupler
(1) 2.5" to 2.75" 65° Transition Coupler
(1) 3.00" Straight Coupler
(1) BPV Recirculation Hose
(1) BPV Vacuum Hose
(1) 30-45mm Worm Gear Clamp
(2) 1.75" T-Bolt Clamps
(3) 2.5" T-Bolt Clamps
(2) 2.75" T-Bolt Clamps
(5) 3" T-Bolt Clamps
Mishimoto Lifetime Warranty
NOTES
This kit does not fit with fog light equipped vehicles Mishimoto recommends that this intercooler kit, not be used with the stock ECU programming. It is highly recommended that the customer be able to retune the vehicle’s ECU after installing the intercooler kit. Power gains will vary depending on the size of the turbo, exhaust system, fuel system, and type of ECU tune that is applied to the vehicle.This kit is rated for approximately 600 whp during normal operating conditions. Maximum horsepower potential will be near 700 whp. Exceeding these horsepower or pressure limits could require a custom-size front-mount intercooler.THIS FRONT-MOUNT INTERCOOLER KIT WILL NOT FIT WITH THE MISHIMOTO 2015+ WRX OIL COOLER KIT CRASH BAR SPECS Steel Construction with Black Powder Coat Application-Specific Mounting HolesInstallation Torque Specs 27 in-lbs (3N*M) recommended for all t-bolt and constant tension t-bolt clamps. These clamps have an operating range of 18-35 in-lbs (2-4N*M). Do not exceed the maximum torque rating of 35 in-lbs (4N*M).This kit is not compatible with some air-oil separator kits.
VEHICLE SPECS
| MAKE | Subaru |
| ENGINE CODES | FA20DIT |
| CHASSIS CODES | VA |
| FITS | 2015+ Subaru WRX |
PRODUCT SPECS
| INSTALLATION TORQUE SPECS | 27 in-lbs (3N*M) recommended for all t-bolt and constant tension t-bolt clamps. These clamps have an operating range of 18-35 in-lbs (2-4N*M). Do not exceed the maximum torque rating of 35 in-lbs (4N*M). 22 in-lbs (2.5N*M) recommended for all worm-gear clamps. These clamps have an operating range of 18-27 in-lbs 2-3N*M. Do not exceed the maximum torque rating of 27 in-lbs (3N*M). |
| SILICONE COUPLERS | (1) 2.25" 45° Coupler (1) 2.25" to 2.75" 45° Transition Coupler (1) 2.5" to 2.75" 55° Transition Coupler (1) 2.5" to 2.75" 65° Transition Coupler (1) 2.75" Straight Coupler |
| PIPE DIAMETER | Hot-Side: 2.25" Cold-Side: 2.5"& 2.75" |
| CONSTANT TENSION T-BOLT CLAMPS SPECS | (2) 1.75" T-Bolt Clamps (3) 2.5" T-Bolt Clamps (2) 2.75" T-Bolt Clamps (5) 3" T-Bolt Clamps |
| CORE THICKNESS | 3.5" |
| COLD-SIDE INTERCOOLER PIPE SPECS | –Made from Polished Mandrel-Bent Aluminum –2.5" & 2.75" I.D. Pipes –Includes Upper and Lower Intercooler Pipes |
| HOT-SIDE INTERCOOLER PIPE SPECS | –Made from Polished Mandrel-Bent Aluminum –2.25" I.D. –Hot-Side has CNC-Machined Flange for a Leak Free Connection to Turbo –Includes Two Lower Intercooler Pipes |
| COATING | Powder Coated |
| TANK WALL THICKNESS | 3.5mm |
| MAX REC. PSI | 30 psi |
| OUTLET | 2.75" |
| CORE LENGTH | 28" |
| CORE HEIGHT | 8.05" |
| CORE WIDTH | 3.5" |
| INLET | 2.45" |
| CORE SIZE | 28" x 8.05" x 3.5" |
| OVERALL WIDTH | 5.4" |
| OVERALL HEIGHT | 8.6" |
| OVERALL LENGTH | 37.7" |
| CONSTRUCTION | Bar-and-Plate |
| MAX REC HP | 600 |
| PIPE MATERIAL | Aluminum |
Time for the fun part of development, product testing! Since this is an intercooler, we would certainly need to put the WRX on the dyno for some pulls and data collection. It would be interesting to see how the installation of a front-mount system has an impact on turbo spool, intake temperatures, and perhaps even power output.
Testing Preparation
The first step toward data collection is to prepare our sensor bungs and install our pressure and temperature sensors. We installed our bungs within the inlet and outlet intercooler couplers.
Dyno Testing
Once complete we strapped the WRX to the dyno and started making our pulls! Check out the images and video from our tests!
Testing Results
After making several pulls we compiled our results into a series of charts that should help you make an informed decision regarding your intercooler needs. Do you need a front-mount? Is the stock top-mount going to be sufficient for your needs? These great quandaries of the mind are answered below.
First, a look at outlet temperatures of the stock intercooler setup compared with our front-mount system.
At the start of the pull, the front-mount already shows improvements, displaying a 20°F temperature drop compared to the stock intercooler. As the pull progresses, the top-mount outlet temperatures begin to rise at around 4,300 rpm and eventually peak at around 120°F . The front-mount setup starts at around 70°F and peaks at right around 82°F toward the end of the pull. This reflects a nearly 40°F difference in intake temperatures! Also, keep in mind that our ambient temperature in the shop is right around 65°F, so our front-mount system is keeping temperatures to within 17°F of ambient – pretty impressive! In a nearly identical test with our new 2015 WRX top-mount, we saw peak temperatures around 90°F.
Our next chart shows outlet temperature relative to boost pressure.
This chart shows outlet temperatures during spool. The entire length of this plot data was collected in the short amount of time it takes to increase from 4 psi to peak pressure. As you can see, both plots stay relatively level during this time. Only during sustained high boost does the temperatures begin to rise, and we see a bigger difference between the two intercoolers. That said, we are still seeing about a 20°F drop between the two cooler setups during initial turbo spool.
The next chart is the one folks have been waiting for. Front-mount intercooler setups typically produce greater lag, which is why one might stray from this particular setup on a lower-powered build. To demonstrate this we produced the chart below, which shows PSI/RPM for the stock intercooler system and the Mishimoto front-mount.
We started our pulls at around 3,000 rpm, which showed around 6 psi of pressure for both setups. Through 18 psi we were able to achieve nearly identical pressure per rpm. You will also notice the front-mount peaks at a slightly higher pressure, which is likely due to the lower intake temperatures. Either way, lag with the front-mount was extremely minimal.
Piping Modification
After fitting the bumper once again, we decided clearances were a bit tighter than we wanted on the cold side. Instead of having this pipe potentially rub the back of the bumper, we decided to modify the route a bit to provide improved fitment. Both the upper and lower portions of this pipe were modified.
In addition to the new route, we intend to manufacture a portion of this piping out of wire-reinforced silicone. This portion will be passing between the headlamp and the washer reservoir. By using silicone we can ensure that the component will not be damaged from rubbing and will not vibrate or cause noise concerns within the cabin.
Catch Can Use
We do our best to make each of our components compatible with each other, and we were able to do so with a majority of our products, excluding our direct-fit catch can kit. Unfortunately the cold-side piping interfered with our driver’s side catch can mounting bracket. With a bit more space in the rear of the engine compartment, we were able to relocate this unit with a new bracket and revised lines. Check it out!
Thanks for taking a look at our progress! Now that this kit is complete, we will begin manufacturing units and should have these kits on shelves in the near future. Keep an eye out for a few small additional updates in the following weeks regarding our final product.
particular project. We could now move on to additional 2015 WRX projects, including downpipe and cat-back exhaust development.
Swing by the blog for updates on our future projects. Thanks for reading!
Engineering Report:
Warranty: