{"product_id":"top-mount-intercooler-kit-subaru-04-07-forester-xt","title":"Top Mount Intercooler Kit - Subaru 04-07 Forester XT","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eThe goal for the Process West Top Mount Intercooler (TMIC) was simple: to engineer the best-performing aftermarket top-mount on the market. By analyzing common industry failures—such as poor ducting and inefficient core thickness—we have developed a cooling solution that sets a new standard for the Subaru platform.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003eThe Critical Factor: Proper Ducting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003eA common mistake in the aftermarket is supplying a larger intercooler without the necessary ducting to support it. Installing a massive core while retaining the factory under-bonnet shroud is a waste of resources; the factory shroud simply cannot distribute air across the increased surface area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eFor demonstration, we placed a factory shroud over our upgraded core:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cimg height=\"340\" width=\"452\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0962\/0570\/1399\/files\/products-18-4.jpg?v=1772691181\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs shown, approximately \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"24\"\u003e50% of the upgraded intercooler receives no ambient airflow\u003c\/b\u003e with the stock ducting. The image below shows the Process West solution: a custom-sized splitter that ensures \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"194\"\u003e100% of the core\u003c\/b\u003e receives direct, high-velocity ambient air.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg height=\"340\" width=\"454\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0962\/0570\/1399\/files\/products-18-5.jpg?v=1772691245\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg height=\"340\" width=\"454\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0962\/0570\/1399\/files\/products-18-6.jpg?v=1772691290\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003eThe white outline in the image above illustrates the actual dimensions of the intercooler hidden beneath a factory WRX splitter. Without the correct ducting, the extra core size is essentially useless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"11\"\u003eOptimised Core Thickness: 90mm vs. 114mm\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"12\"\u003eMany competitors market 114mm (4.5\") cores based on the \"bigger is better\" philosophy. However, for a top-mount application where air must make a sharp 90-degree turn through a bonnet scoop, excessive thickness creates too much resistance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"13\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"13,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"13,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eOur Design:\u003c\/b\u003e We utilize a \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"13,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"25\"\u003e90mm (3.5\") core\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"13,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"13,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Result:\u003c\/b\u003e This thickness allows the air to actually \"breathe\" through the core rather than hitting a wall of resistance. This results in lower outlet temperatures and more consistent power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"14\"\u003eHigh-Flow Silicone Y-Pipe\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003eStandard aftermarket Y-pipes often suffer from uneven air distribution, favoring one side of the intercooler. Our custom-molded silicone Y-pipe is designed for perfect charge-air distribution across the entire entry tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg height=\"356\" width=\"475\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0962\/0570\/1399\/files\/products-18-2.jpg?v=1772691350\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg height=\"204\" width=\"479\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0962\/0570\/1399\/files\/products-18-3.jpg?v=1772691367\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"17\"\u003e\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"17\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eShown above: The complete system featuring the optimized Y-pipe, intercooler core, and custom splitter.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"19\"\u003eData-Driven Performance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-path-to-node=\"20\"\u003eDyno Testing\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"21\"\u003eWhile dynos are notoriously difficult for top-mount testing due to limited scoop airflow, back-to-back testing against the factory unit on an '05 WRX revealed significant gains:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"22\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"22,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"22,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003ePower Increase:\u003c\/b\u003e The Process West system delivered \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"22,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"50\"\u003e115.5kW\u003c\/b\u003e, compared to the factory \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"22,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"83\"\u003e107.5kW\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"22,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"22,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThermal Control:\u003c\/b\u003e Even in static dyno conditions, the PW unit peaked at \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"22,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"71\"\u003e51°C\u003c\/b\u003e, while the stock unit climbed to \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"22,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"109\"\u003e66°C\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg height=\"387\" width=\"517\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0962\/0570\/1399\/files\/products-18-7.jpg?v=1772691446\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e (Power Graph: Before vs. After) ^^\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg height=\"388\" width=\"518\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0962\/0570\/1399\/files\/products-18-8.jpg?v=1772691469\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e(Temperature Graph: Before vs. After) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"24\"\u003eWhen subjected to three back-to-back runs to simulate heavy load, the factory intercooler outlet temps skyrocketed to \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"24\" data-index-in-node=\"118\"\u003e84°C\u003c\/b\u003e, whereas the Process West unit remained significantly more stable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"25\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0962\/0570\/1399\/files\/products-18-9.jpg?v=1772691495\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e(Heat Soak Comparison Graph)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-path-to-node=\"26\"\u003eReal-World Street Testing\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"27\"\u003eThe true test happens on the road. During spirited mountain driving:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"28\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"28,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"28,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eStock Intercooler:\u003c\/b\u003e Temperatures peaked at \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"28,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"42\"\u003e72°C\u003c\/b\u003e and continued to rise, resulting in a noticeable loss of engine \"liveliness.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"28,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"28,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eProcess West System:\u003c\/b\u003e Despite aggressive driving, outlet temperatures never exceeded \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"28,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"84\"\u003e43°C\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"29\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"29\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eUpgrade to the Process West TMIC Kit to ensure your Forester XT stays cool, responsive, and reliable under any conditions.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWent and did the same hard driving and saw a peak of 72C which would probably have kept rising but I decided that was enough. The car also felt a lot less lively.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Process West","offers":[{"title":"Black","offer_id":51583600853271,"sku":"PWTMIC08B","price":1470.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0962\/0570\/1399\/files\/30_7564ff57-6af6-443e-8e00-b249749d4167.png?v=1770881724","url":"https:\/\/processwest.com.au\/products\/top-mount-intercooler-kit-subaru-04-07-forester-xt","provider":"Process West","version":"1.0","type":"link"}