GrimmSpeed Top Mount Intercooler Installation Guide - 2015+ Subaru WRX
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- This video will walk you through the entire installation of the GrimmSpeed TMIC step-by-step. As always, contact us directly with any questions!
Written install guide and additional information: www.grimmspeed....
FYI: If you are installing this kit on to an 18+ Subaru WRX there is a change to the install. You can find the updated install guide on the product page of our website.
Link to updated guide here :
www.grimmspeed....
Approximate Time: 1hr30min
Difficulty: 4/10
Tools Needed:
3/8" Ratchet, extension, 12mm, 10mm, 8mm socket
4mm allen wrench
Flathead screwdrivers
Center punch or pliers
Thanks, Grimmspeed, the install went well. As always, takes twice as long as you think it will 😉. Two extra issues to watch out for. Those popper fasteners that hold the sound deadening on - they are a bugger and two of them fired off right into the engine bay. I now have to get the car on ramps and undo the undertrays to get ‘em out.. doh! Also some of the pop clips with prongs broke with just age, so be prepared to replace a couple of those if you can’t live without. My car has 50k miles. Secondly the ic itself took quite a bit of manhandling to get it into position. Be prepared to wrestle it, but be careful you don’t damage the filaments. My old ic kept blowing it’s seal out of the drivers side right before the intake and once I got it off I saw the stock intake tube and seal was pretty mangled. I’m glad I will not be needing that part again. Cheers!
Great install vid, thanks guys! It took me about an hour as well. Downside is that I think my worm clamp is bad on my chargepipe side. It made a click noise when I tightened it onto the TMIC and when I was running logs for my tuner, the chargpipe blew off and my car went into limp mode. I had to get a tow cuz it would turn over but not stay on. I'll be getting it on stands today to make sure nothing else came undone. But everything before the chargepipe blowing off, the car ran smoothly and nicely. Can't wait to get it fixed and see how it truly performs!
Happy New Years!
Got to make sure those clamps stay tight! Hope all is working nicely now!
Same happened to me, charge pipe blew off the intercooler, except it caused my turbo to over spin and grenaded itself.
@@tbone11x Dang, I'm sorry to hear that. My charge pipe blew off too, but I was only at 3k RPM so there wasn't much boost yet. I hope everything is well with your subie.
@@chancastillo7909 waiting on the new turbo to get here then it'll be good to go
@@tbone11x Dang, hope all goes well with install and such!
Thank you, I watched to figure out how to remove the cooler to access the crankshaft position sensor.
This is amazing. Good detailed video.
How would i know if i have any boost leaks?
Is there a video for the charge pipe?
Yes
Grimmspeed can you confirm if a front mount strut brace can be used with this top mount ? I have mine already installed and would like to confirm which strut towers would clear this set up !
Will installing this and driving it for about a month before a tune appt cause the engine to run poorly? I know it needs a tune to see the “gains”, but can It be installed without throwing codes or going into limp mode
Shouldn't be a problem.
@@GrimmSpeed I have an aftermarket hood on my WRX and I was able to transfer over the OEM cover and plastic splitter when I installed the hood but with less holes built into the hood for pop clips and screws. If when installing this kit tomorrow, I run into the issue that the Grimmspeed splitter for the hood isn’t compatible with my hood’s screw holes, can I leave the OEM hood part on or will that cause a fitment issue with the lower GS splitter that attaches to the intercooler itself?
What do you do if you can't get the charge pipe all of rhe way on?
So apparently we did use the rubber gasket and it runs fine, can you explain what the gasket does exactly?
What is the point of the center bar on the piece screwed to the tmic ,and can I cut it off? Wouldn't it be better without it ? Get more air across the whole tmic without any obstruction..??..
Minimize turbulence at the surface of the intercooler. Gives air a more direct path to the fins and keeps air velocity high. When air opens to a larger volume, air speed slows (and pressure drops).
If I am not going to be getting a protune done for crazy numbers, or even just stage 1, is this a significant upgrade for a "lighter" use? I.e. stage 1 protune or a light stage 2 protune?
The WMI bung is a neat feature.
Will you add WMI bung on your WRX STI TMIC also?
Tune needed after adding this?
For our intercoolers, no tune is needed. But strongly recommended for best efficiency and power gains.
Whats the difference between the top mount intercooler and the bottom mount?
Assuming you mean top mount vs front mount, front mount is going to give you more cooling potential due to the larger intercooler core and it being front and center for direct airflow. Vehicles running front mounts are usually going after high hp builds or do so for aesthetic reasons.
Will this fit a 2015 Forester XT with the 2.0L turbo motor?
It will fit, but we do not offer a shroud for that fitment.
That plastic splitter used over-kill hardware. It is not going anywhere. Eight fasteners when 6 would have been sufficient or less (4) if they used captured tabs on one side. Part is on the wish list.
We tend to over build most of our parts. Lol.
What is this top mounted rated for as far as max hp output from my car? I'm about to do a built motor and keep going back and forth between a tmic and a fmic. I'm shooting for 500whp.
We haven't turned the boost up on our EFR 7163 car yet, but it's keeping up very well at 400whp. We designed this TMIC to support north of 570whp and I suspect it'll handle 600+ without a problem. Hope that helps!
All of the high horsepower builds I have seen so far for my car have been a fmic. I understand what the tmic you guys have to offer will support but everything I have seen and read is pointing me to go fmic. Do you guys have a fmic planned in the future?
Which car do you have? We don't currently have any FMIC projects underway, but as Subarus are now being built to make 800, 900 and 1000whp+, it's something that we've been considering!
I have 2015 Subaru wrx. I am planning on doing a built motor soon so I was looking at intercooler options. Your top mount is interesting but everything that I have read and the advice I have gotten from people in the industry is telling me that fmic is the way to go if I plan on going above that 500whp mark.
Definitely do FMIC if you're doing a built motor. TMIC is for daily driving and FMIC is for rough driving/racing.
Cool!!!
Can you not put the engine cover back after installing this intercooler?
don’t need it. mines been off for 3 years
@@balance667 so I’ll ask since No one else has, why wouldn’t you need it? For the stock one it directs air directly into the tmic. Sorry I’m just curious as to why is all. Just trying to learn.
@@imoffendedthatyouareoffended It doesn’t serve any functionality purposes, it simply just protects the TMIC/ cosmetics. It also offers no alteration to airflow of any kind, not engineered to do so either
Will you be making a install video for your charge pipe?
Once we have them through production, we certainly will!
@@GrimmSpeed can you please confirm if/what front strut brace would clear this top mount for the 2015 wrx ?
Will a Cusco strut bar be compatible with this tmic ?
Hmm, we haven't tested in-house so I unfortunately don't have an exact answer for you.
what kind of power gains on a stock 2018 wrx?
James Kocks you'll gain nothing without a tune. With a tune you can push more psi, so 30-40 whp at top range according to phatbotti
I thought you don't get power gains from intercoolers? I thought it was too prevent you from losing power??
10hp max with a top mount and needs to be dyno tuned I have already asked a shop.
Does this increase hp?
No increase in HP initially, but will raise the potential for HP gains when paired with other bolt on parts. Especially after tuning.
Do you need a tune for bigger intercooler?
Dufenteur Desir no but it’ll make more power with a protune
@@luisb3786 Yes, you absolutely need a tune, anything but a catback exhaust, needs a tune.
My tmic is touching the clutch sleeve cylinder, it’s a garret is that fine?
Hey Roman, you don't really want your TMIC contacting anything in the bay, reach out to Garrett and see if they have a fix for you!
It is compatible with aem strut bar?
It should but, If you're looking for a TMIC. This is the best one on the market. The strut bar doesn't really do much for the car. I have a front strut tower. If doesn't work with grimspeed TMIC. I'll take the strut tower out in a hear beat.
is it possible to refit the engine cover if I trim it or modify it?
We haven't done it, but I'm sure that some careful trimming and modification would allow you to retain the stock engine cover and splitter for a super stealth look.
Is a tune necessary after this upgrade?
no, you'll make more power with one though
At what power is it best to upgrade the intercooler? I'm looking to push no more than 300/300 would I need to upgrade?. Also I have a CVT not sure of that matters.
Cvt wont hold much more than 300 without a rebuild.
I’m not sure at what power levels you’d have to change it out, If your car is running hotter than 216 Fahrenheit during non spirited driving then it’s definitely time to replace, if your car hits 240’s it’s time to let the car cool down. I’m pushing 283 hp and 273 torque in my 2020 wrx manual and the hottest mine gets during normal driving with some spirited us usually 210 and that’s even during 10 degreee weather. Normally it’s 80-90 where I live and the hottest even with some
Spirited driving is 216
Is a tune required?
No tune required, but we do recommend it at some point, to take full advantage of your lower and more consistent charge air temperatures.
GrimmSpeed Can I run a stage 1 tune with tmic and charge pipe? I DON'T have to go stage 2 do I ?
is it available for purchase yet?
We have a pre-sale going right now! www.grimmspeed.com/top-mount-intercooler-kit-subaru-wrx-15-17/
will an aftermarket strut bar still work with this TMIC?
mine fits fine, cusco bar
Do i need a tune after the install? Will it void my soa warranty?
Dallas Williams yes tune is required, anything where you change airflow a tune is needed
If you guys are gonna make installing videos….please do every single step and be very specific on stuff….shits so annoying sometimes
Do I need a tune for this?
Tune not required but it won't perform at its fullest without one.. so even though not required it kind of is if that makes sense.
Brad Thompson makes sense. Thank you! I appreciate the feedback.
Will this work with a 2019?
Well since the video description is 2015+,…I’m assuming yes.