Bent intercooler fins

LaW · 04-26-2008, 04:00 PM

Anyone else think the intercooler fins are pretty flimsy? My 03 wrx did not bend this bad. I just took 1 short trip of about 2 hrs driving and half of the fins are bent back on my intercooler, they even bend just by touching them. I know my WRX intercooler was tough to bend the fins...

I dont' know, maybe its just me?

BuzSTid · 04-26-2008, 04:06 PM

almost sounds like someone was leaning on them... only problem i've had so far is when the scoop inhales rocks, i've picked up quite a few, a round toothpick worked well to restore the fins to like new condition

**tyler_sti** · 04-26-2008, 04:08 PM

I think thiner fins disapate heat more efficently. As stated above, a tooth pick will take care of the rocks and bends. Good luck!

LaW · 04-26-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyler_sti

I think thiner fins disapate heat more efficently. As stated above, a tooth pick will take care of the rocks and bends. Good luck!

Yeah I don't have an issue fixing the bent ones back, was just wondering if there was a rhyme or reason for the thinner fins and I think I may have gotten that answer!

Thanks

inpuressa · 04-26-2008, 06:00 PM

The orientation of the hood scoope seems to make it easier for rocks to make it to the IC. Guess it is a trade off for better air flow.

STIpend · 04-26-2008, 06:07 PM

I have noticed the same thing. About half are gently bent (nearest the firewall). This appears to be from the angle of airflow alone and not anything solid hitting them.

**Digitalfiend** · 04-26-2008, 06:20 PM

I've had a few bugs bend them but no rocks. Exact same thing with my '05. You learn to fix them every few weeks or so.

Brand · 04-26-2008, 06:25 PM

I have a ton of bent fins, I need to fix them one of these days.

twigg107 · 04-26-2008, 06:27 PM

Hahahaha.... dont drive in a hail storm.....

USNSTI · 04-26-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twigg107

Hahahaha.... dont drive in a hail storm.....

OMG PNWED BY THE HAIL!!!

blindfold · 04-26-2008, 06:51 PM

a radiator comb should work

**tyler_sti** · 04-26-2008, 07:05 PM

Yeah, a fine mesh cover can be easily made, but will restrict air flow. Or larger sized mesh behind the opening of the scoop to deflect more rocks, but not all.

inpuressa · 04-26-2008, 07:18 PM

Holy crap, that's pretty bad. Can that be warrantied? Or is it one of those "acts of nature" bs?

twigg107 · 04-26-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inpuressa

Holy crap, that's pretty bad. Can that be warrantied? Or is it one of those "acts of nature" bs?

I dont care.... I'll be building a front mount for it soon anyways.

amg destroyer · 04-26-2008, 07:35 PM

I've read that bent fins don't affect the performance of the IC. Any truth to this?

04-26-2008, 04:00 PM	#1
LaW Amateur STI Driver Car: 2008 White STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 28 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Bent intercooler fins Anyone else think the intercooler fins are pretty flimsy? My 03 wrx did not bend this bad. I just took 1 short trip of about 2 hrs driving and half of the fins are bent back on my intercooler, they even bend just by touching them. I know my WRX intercooler was tough to bend the fins... I dont' know, maybe its just me? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

04-26-2008, 04:06 PM	#2
BuzSTid Junior STI Driver Car: 08 WRB STi Fav Mod: Stage 1 Location: Calgary Posts: 195 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Bent intercooler fins almost sounds like someone was leaning on them... only problem i've had so far is when the scoop inhales rocks, i've picked up quite a few, a round toothpick worked well to restore the fins to like new condition

04-26-2008, 04:08 PM	#3
tyler_sti Gold Member Car: '07 CMG STI Fav Mod: carbing subframe, driving experience:) Location: los angeles Posts: 3,053 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (11)	Re: Bent intercooler fins I think thiner fins disapate heat more efficently. As stated above, a tooth pick will take care of the rocks and bends. Good luck!

04-26-2008, 06:00 PM	#5
inpuressa STI Driver Car: 08 STi SSM Fav Mod: Cobb AP Posts: 251 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Bent intercooler fins The orientation of the hood scoope seems to make it easier for rocks to make it to the IC. Guess it is a trade off for better air flow.

04-26-2008, 06:07 PM	#6
STIpend Lurker Car: Silver 08 STI Posts: 4 Join Date: Apr 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Bent intercooler fins I have noticed the same thing. About half are gently bent (nearest the firewall). This appears to be from the angle of airflow alone and not anything solid hitting them.

04-26-2008, 06:20 PM	#7
Digitalfiend Super Moderator Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: My wife :) Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 5,062 Join Date: Oct 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Bent intercooler fins I've had a few bugs bend them but no rocks. Exact same thing with my '05. You learn to fix them every few weeks or so.

04-26-2008, 06:25 PM	#8
Brand STI Driver Car: DGM 08 STI Fav Mod: cobb AP Location: Denver Posts: 297 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Bent intercooler fins I have a ton of bent fins, I need to fix them one of these days.

04-26-2008, 06:27 PM	#9
twigg107 Spec C Club Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: Me..... Location: Vancouver, Wa Posts: 1,333 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Bent intercooler fins Hahahaha.... dont drive in a hail storm.....

04-26-2008, 06:51 PM	#11
blindfold Silver Member Car: 2004 WRB STi Location: Atlanta,GA Posts: 1,738 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (13)	Re: Bent intercooler fins a radiator comb should work

04-26-2008, 07:05 PM	#12
tyler_sti Gold Member Car: '07 CMG STI Fav Mod: carbing subframe, driving experience:) Location: los angeles Posts: 3,053 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (11)	Re: Bent intercooler fins Yeah, a fine mesh cover can be easily made, but will restrict air flow. Or larger sized mesh behind the opening of the scoop to deflect more rocks, but not all.

04-26-2008, 07:18 PM	#13
inpuressa STI Driver Car: 08 STi SSM Fav Mod: Cobb AP Posts: 251 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Bent intercooler fins Holy crap, that's pretty bad. Can that be warrantied? Or is it one of those "acts of nature" bs?

04-26-2008, 07:35 PM	#15
amg destroyer GUNNIN' IT Car: '05 STi Fav Mod: Sparco seat Location: OC Posts: 3,731 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: Bent intercooler fins I've read that bent fins don't affect the performance of the IC. Any truth to this? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.