[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by onlytakes4

I had an 05 and an 06 STi before my 08 and the IC spray on both of them didn't seem to do much for the heat soak. My 08 doesn't seem to heat soak near as much as they did either. If I were you, I would save your windshield washer resevoir for meth injection.

I feel the same way. The last two days up here have been in the high-30s (Celcius) and low-40s with the humidex and the car felt great, even after running it hard-ish on some back roads. My '05 tended to get sluggish in that sort of heat. The '08 was definitely feeling it, but performed more consistently.

I found I went through water in my '05 way too fast and it didn't do enough to make a difference. Obviously, the water will remove some heat from the IC but is it enough on a hot day, in traffic, when there is very little air blowing across the IC? I doubt it very much. I'd also question how good the spray pattern is at speed.

If I was going to spend money on something that I had to refill, it would be a meth kit + tune. Now that is something that has proven gains. Not my thing, but I'd take it over an IC sprayer.

[supermarkus]

Makes all that engine bay venting seem worth it, no?

[KillerBlackBird]

I was just thinking about this the other day.

[maron10]

The 08's engine bay runs far much cooler than the previous years, and yes the side vents do work well. I can always feel the heat coming from the side vents even when the car is at a stand still. The coolant temperature is what sold me as well. On my 07, while driving at cruising pace, the coolant temp would fluctuate between 193 - 196. On the 08, it stays between 183 - 188's range, so it appears that subaru has finally done their homework in keeping the engine bay as cool as possible.

[jessej]

Originally Posted by maron10

The 08's engine bay runs far much cooler than the previous years, and yes the side vents do work well. I can always feel the heat coming from the side vents even when the car is at a stand still. The coolant temperature is what sold me as well. On my 07, while driving at cruising pace, the coolant temp would fluctuate between 193 - 196. On the 08, it stays between 183 - 188's range, so it appears that subaru has finally done their homework in keeping the engine bay as cool as possible.

What side vents are you referring to? The panels behind the front wheels that say STI are sealed off, or at least they looked pretty sealed off when I removed for mudflap install..

[jessej]

btw, I used a cheapo patio misting kit to make a mister out of my windshield washer rear pump. I never used it anyway. I don't know how much performance gains I'm getting if any (don't have an intake temp gauge besides AP one which I'm told is at the MAF before turbo or intercooler) but I mostly did it because it was a fun DIY and not too difficult

Note: I didn't have to do any special wiring to "disable" the wiping function on spray because the rear doesn't activate the wiper unless you hold the spray for a good 2+ seconds. So if you pulse it you can avoid dry wiping if you like.

[supermarkus]

Originally Posted by jessej

What side vents are you referring to? The panels behind the front wheels that say STI are sealed off, or at least they looked pretty sealed off when I removed for mudflap install..

They aren't sealed off at all.

[maron10]

Originally Posted by supermarkus

They aren't sealed off at all.

Ah, I was about to respond

It does have a little piece of rubber, but yes, the heat is being effectively evacuated from the engine bay by the side vents, especially when the car is at speed.

[jessej]

OH RLY? hmm.. I didn't know that. cool.

Also I wanted to add that from a pretty extensive intake temperature research guide I read my conclusion of the only benefit I would gain would be improving the heat sinking abilities of the IC, meaning it should maintain a lower temperature longer before turning into a radiator. Again, dunno if I ever hit that point until I go to the track but it was a fun 1 afternoon DIY anyway