Intake and heat shield question

[Mikie13]

If you get an intake, you will need to tune for that.

Not entirely true on an 04.

[Soobvirgin]

Are you sure about that? I believe it replaces the stock shield. If it does go over the stock heat shield, it will definitely have a significant benefit. It's like doubling the insulation on your house. It will not only keep more heat in the turbo, but prevent that much more heat soak into the intercooler.

On my '12 it's definitely an additional heat shield as opposed to a replacement. But, no, on an '04 I don't know if that's the case.

There was certainly no noticeable difference in performance when I had my SPT shield added. If there's no noticeable difference, then in my book it's not a benefit. I was kinda' disappointed.

EDIT: Before buying the SPT shield, I scoured the web looking for definite proof, or at the very least someone who could claim they noticed anything change after having it installed. I found nothing. Nada. Zip. Of course, the service guy at the dealership said it undoubtedly made a difference, but couldn't point me to any info confirming that. I figured I'd try it anyway because it was cheap and couldn't do any harm (other than add weight).

[Calvinball]

Not entirely true on an 04.

I thought it was just 02-03 that could get away with it?

[teflon_jones]

On my '12 it's definitely an additional heat shield as opposed to a replacement. But, no, on an '04 I don't know if that's the case.

There was certainly no noticeable difference in performance when I had my SPT shield added. If there's no noticeable difference, then in my book it's not a benefit. I was kinda' disappointed.

EDIT: Before buying the SPT shield, I scoured the web looking for definite proof, or at the very least someone who could claim they noticed anything change after having it installed. I found nothing. Nada. Zip. Of course, the service guy at the dealership said it undoubtedly made a difference, but couldn't point me to any info confirming that. I figured I'd try it anyway because it was cheap and couldn't do any harm (other than add weight).

It will make a difference, but it's not going to be enough that you'll be able to notice it just driving the car.

[dragon wagon]

If you get an intake, you will need to tune for that.

Really? everything i've read about those two says no tune is necessary. It even says on the Cobb web site it says you don't need one.

[dragon wagon]

So are most of you guys who are running an SRI, are you just running an aftermarket heat shield or just staying with the stock?

[Mikie13]

I thought it was just 02-03 that could get away with it?

Nope...any of the 02-07s can run an intake, pending that the piping diameter and flow are similar to stock (such as Cobb, SPT, K&N, APS) so as not to skew the MAF readings. Its on the GDs that intakes don't really have too much of an effect until you're getting to higher power levels considering the stock intake box is quite efficient.

Really? everything i've read about those two says no tune is necessary. It even says on the Cobb web site it says you don't need one.

See above.

[Mikie13]

So are most of you guys who are running an SRI, are you just running an aftermarket heat shield or just staying with the stock?

What are you talking about? Turbo heat shield over the turbo/downpipe? Or are you talking about the airbox that surrounds the intake similar to the Cobb box or the SPT box? If you mean the turbo heatshield, it has absolutely no bearing what so ever with the intake.

[dragon wagon]

I was talking about the turbo heat shield. Most wrx's I've seen with intakes have a larger turbo heat shield. I thought that moving the intake inside the engine bay and closer to the turbo would require more insulation from the heat.
Also, I haven't seen an SPT box, just an intake shield.

[MainFrame]

I was talking about the turbo heat shield. Most wrx's I've seen with intakes have a larger turbo heat shield. I thought that moving the intake inside the engine bay and closer to the turbo would require more insulation from the heat.
Also, I haven't seen an SPT box, just an intake shield.

Turbo heat shield and intake have virtually nothing to do with each other. Aside from safety reasons, the other main benefit of a turbo heat shield is to keep the heat inside the turbine housing which keeps the exhaust velocity up. Exhaust gas is what spins the turbine and spools the turbo. I would say an equally important reason for the turbo heat shield is to reduce TMIC heat soak.. Intake considerations are pretty far down on the list of what's important about the heat shield..

The reason to have a larger heat shield is if the stock one doesn't fit over your turbo or downpipe. Even though the stock heat shield can easily be trimmed to fit over just about any aftermarket downpipe, many people that don't know better just throw it away.. then later on someone who cares buys the car and it's just easier to get an aftermarket replacement.



For what it's worth, I'm running a SRI and I also have a GrimmSpeed turbo heat shield as well as a turbo blanket. I also have my headers, uppipe, and downpipe wrapped, as well as phenolic spacers to insulate the intake manifold from the heads, and I have the throttle body coolant bypassed. Once the next build is done I'm going to make a cold air box for the intake too.

[Bschmehl715]

Just a quick question from a 2 month old WRX owner. I bought my SWP 2011 hatch and it already has an SPT exhaust and a catted Invidia DP with a custom tune (still have the factory air box). I understand at this point a SRI wouldn't do much but like this guy I want the noise My question is, with the custom tune set for the OEM air box, will the SRI damage anything if I put it on without a new tune?

[Donkey]

Yes..............this has been covered over,and over,and over,and over.......................

Without a wideband guage to verify and the ability to datalog you would have no idea if there was an issue or not. It pretty much depends on the intake.
http://www.cobbtuning.com/Technical-...es-s/70677.htm

[Bschmehl715]

Yes..............this has been covered over,and over,and over,and over.......................

Without a wideband guage to verify and the ability to datalog you would have no idea if there was an issue or not. It pretty much depends on the intake.
Technical Articles

Thanks. Again I am new to the forum so I didn't really look around too. Much. This helps me