which is better, top mount intercooler or front mount intercooler for wrx

l think the front-mount intercoolers are better because it is sitting right there behind the bumper and where it catches and cools off from all the wind. Unless you had a functioning hood with vented slots, then maybe a top-mount. This is just my opinion.

Unless you get a bigger turbo the stock intercooler is fine. Also the front mount will cause more turbo lag. In the end its what you're looking for in your car. If you can stand the lag the front mount is better because you dont get the heat soak from the engine but rocks and stuff can hit it and if you're in a wreck thats the first thing to go and usually to install a front mount you need to cut the front bumper

For drag racing. A front mount might be good but if u keep moving the top mount is plenty efficient. It does get heat soaked in traffic & l feel it when it gets hot out but l love the instant response. l suppose if u go with a large turbo that moves a lot of air, u might want a front mount with more surface area for cooling. Like the guy above said, it depends on what u do with the car. Also know that for a front mount, u will have to modify the bumper beam & if u get in a minor fender bender there will be more damage.

front mount is always better. the scoob is just fine with the top mount my cousin has an 07' he was thinking about doing a front mount but is going to put a thicker top mount in there.

a fmic is better. but they are more invloved to install on the wrx.

so if your midly modded then an upgraded top mount would be fine.

if your running alot of boost from a bigger turbo then you might as well do a fmic.