I have just been out to check the oil level in my STi8 and noticed that the delicate vanes on the I/C unit had damage to about a dozen vanes, although minor. Someone said a while ago that this sort of damage was not caused by objects passing into the I/C unit but by careless mechanics resting thier hands on them. Well as my car has only covered 400 miles(still running in) there has been no mechanics near it and it was OK when I inspected it when picking it up. Is there any product on the market that will protect this without ruining the efficiency of the unit as I realise this sits under the mother of all scoops?

Cheers Ady

 

Just get a cocktail stick/ v. small screwdriver and straighten 'em out, it also means that you can give the car a good check whilst you've buried your head under the bonnet. Not really worth buying on of the shields.



Jim

 

Just a thought, would it be possible to fit a wide mesh to protect it from damage ? with the size of that scoop you could get some wildlife down there......

Simon

 

Get some mesh on it if it is so delicate it is going to be an ongoing problem but the mesh will marginally reduce the efficiency. Put it on top of the intercooler unless you do not mind it being seen in the mother of all scoops.
Foliate is the name of one mesh supplier to car tuning shops but it is a lot cheaper to get from the likes of B+Q or local hardware shops.

 

Ah nothing like a Sunday morning and a tiny electricians screwdriver. Get the Radox bath ready for your sore back over bending over the car for an hour. Some **** has put his hand/tools on mine, "oh a straightening we shall go........"!

 

Why are STi intercoolers angled?!!!

 

Thanks for the advice guy's, I think the mesh over the I/C is the one for me. Marc, I think the angled I/C unit on the STi's are just to try and improve the efficiency of it but I guess you can't beat a front mounted (perhaps a mod for the future when warranty is out). Cheers again guy's.

Ady

 

i found it easier to straighten the fins with a scalpel blade, bit of a thinner thing to get in there with.

 

Oh and while I'm on here - anyone got a clue as to why I have a Prodrive stamp (not sticker) on my engine considering the car came straight from Japan?

I have had an interesting time finding out all about the car and its history but this is still one thing I have never figured out...

 

Might be wrong but I think that ver 4 and prior are angled and 5+6 are square to the bulkhead.

 

Somehow my post got deleted??

but here it is

I had a bent fin problem so I straigtened them all out and fitted a guard cover

Before


After



What I gained back in efficiency by straightening the fins I lost due the gaurd but its stops the problem from returning/getting worse and its look good too