TMIC basics on a Subaru WRX/STi:

Pressure Drop

Pressure drop can change based on manufacturer’s testing levels. Generally speaking, the higher the turbo PSI, the higher the pressure drop. Manufacturers often quote the lowest testing levels and often times do not quote their test data. This means you cannot compare intercooler A VS. intercooler B.

APS: .3 PSI
ARC: Unknown PSI
AVO: .5 PSI
BPM: 1 PSI
Buschur Racing: Unknown PSI
CSS: less than 1 PSI at 14.5 PSI
Cartech: Unknown PSI
Daddy’s SCP: Unknown PSI
GP Moto: Unknown PSI
Helix: .2 PSI PSI
Hyperflow: .27 PSI
M2: Unknown PSI
MRT: Unknown PSI
PWR: .8 PSI
Perrin: Unknown PSI
Process West: Unknown PSI
Spearco: Unknown PSI
Speed Factor: .81 PSI
TurboXS: Unknown PSI
Vishnu: Unknown PSI
Worx: .5 PSI
XO2 Racing: 0.2 PSI at 15 PSI

2002-2007 WRX: 2-3 PSI
2008-2009 WRX: Unknown PSI
STI (all versions): Unknown PSI
JDM STI (all versions): Unknown PSI

Flow Rate

APS: Unknown CFM
ARC: Unknown CFM
AVO: 60 lbs/min
BPM: Unknown CFM
Buschur Racing: Unknown CFM
CSS: 800 CFM
Cartech: Unknown CFM
Daddy’s SCP: Unknown CFM
GP Moto: Unknown CFM
Helix: Unknown CFM
Hyperflow: Unknown CFM
M2: Unknown CFM
MRT: 650 CFM
PWR: 975 CFM
Perrin: Unknown CFM
Process West: Unknown CFM
Spearco: 1000 CFM
Speed Factor: Unknown CFM
TurboXS: 635 CFM
Vishnu: Unknown CFM
Worx: 678 CFM
XO2 Racing: Unknown CFM

2002-2007 WRX: 390 CFM
2008-2009 WRX: Unknown CFM
STI (all versions): Unknown CFM
JDM STI (all versions): Unknown CFM

Core Construction

APS: bar and plate
ARC: tube and fin
AVO: bar and plate
BPM: bar and plate
Buschur Racing: bar and plate
Cartech: bar and plate
CSS: bar and plate
Daddy’s SCP: bar and plate
GP Moto: bar and plate
Helix: bar and plate
Hyperflow: bar and plate
M2: bar and plate
MRT: bar and plate
PWR: tube and fin
Perrin: bar and plate
Process West: bar and plate
Spearco: bar and plate
Speed Factor: bar and plate
TurboXS: bar and plate
Vishnu: tube and fin
Worx: bar and plate
XO2 Racing: bar and plate

WRX/STI/JDM STI (all versions): tube and fin

Physical size

APS: 20″ x 7.5″ x 4.5″
ARC: 18.5″ X 7.5″ X 2.75″
AVO: 18.3″ x 7.23″ x 3.5″
BPM: Unknown 20.125” x 7.625” x 4.5”
Buschur Racing: 6.5″ x 18.5″ x 4.5″
CSS: 20″ x 11.5″ x 4.5″
Cartech: 23″ x 6″ x 3″
Daddy’s SCP: 19 7/8 ” x 8″ x 4.5″
GP Moto: 20.125” x 7.625” x 4.5”
Helix: 19” x 8” x 4”
Hyperflow: 19.1″ x 7.3″ x 4.5″ (based on metric conversion)
M2: Unknown
MRT: 15.25 ” x 6 ” x 4.5″ 19.25″ x 7.5″ x 4.5″
PWR: 16 x 6 1/4″ x 4 3/4″
Perrin: 20″ x 7″ x 4″
Process West: 19.3″ x 7.5″ x 3.5″
Spearco: 18″ x 10″ x 4.5″
Speed Factor: 20″ x 7.5″ x 4.5″
TurboXS: 19 1/8″ x 7 3/8″ x 4.5″
Vishnu: 18.5″ x 6.5″ x 4.5″
Worx: 18.5″ x 8″ x 3.5″
XO2 Racing: 19 7/8″ x 8″ x 4.5″

2002-2007 WRX: 16.5″ x 6″ x 3″
2008-2009 WRX: 11″ x 9.5″ x 2.5″
2004-2007 STI: 20.5″ x 7.3 x 4″
2008 STI: 21 5/8″ x 7.5″ x 3″ or 3.6% more volume than older STI models
JDM STI (ver 7): 15% dimensionally larger core size than the 2004-2007 USDM STI IC

Do I need engine management/tuning with a TMIC? No. Tuning is highly encourage though as you won’t see the full benefit without tuning.