Just curious if anyone has ever done any actual testing with these larger hood scoops (pictured below)
to see if it makes any difference. Has anyone even tested any high/low pressure areas around the engine bay or figured out ways to aerodynamically increase the flow of air into the scoop and through the intercooler?

Also considering making some home-made hood vents too as we are building a track car. figured I would reach out here first before i go down the rabbit hole and spend months testing everything before i jump on it.

 

Would be interesting to know if there is a gain from the larger hood scoop. I know bugs don't like them..

 

I have one of the "bug catchers". I never installed it. The studs are not in the correct location, so I stopped. Not a lot of filing is required as I recall...but it just pissed me off that the extra work was needed.

The inlet opening is larger.
The outlet opening is the same size as the factory scoop.
Physics says that a funnel, like this design, will soon "back up" flow. And possibly even to a lesser volume and speed at the outlet than a straight opening.
BUT, at what speed? That I do not know. That would take actual flow testing to find out. My guess, at normal around town speeds, it would be better at allowing more air thru. Maybe...even at slower freeway speeds. But at some car speed, the air speed will be disrupted enough to actually block, air from a smooth entry.
I know this from many hours on a cylinder head flow bench testing port shapes and sizes.

One thing to remember though, it's...around town...in the summer, when the most air flow is needed to help keep the intercooler temp. reasonable. At faster car speeds, the under hood temperatures aren't heat soaking the intake system like stop and go driving does.

So...how fast "average" are you going to be going on the track. If the track is slower, a lot of turns, yes, I'd put the "bug catcher" on.

As for the vents, similar thing. Let the hot air out.
Yes, well placed vents in the hood is nothing but good as far as letting hot air out from under the hood.

Mike

 

I think that a air to water intercooler would be better here, not sure if anyone has done one. Certain years of STI's had a water tank in the boot to spray water on their intercooler to reduce temps - not the same as a air to water (or is it the other way around?) but does lower intake temps. Buy one from a Subaru dealer and most of the work is done for you, just need to retrofit it to the R53.

 

Nothing will be as effective as meth. Aquamist fwiw.

 

I have a water to air intercooler and it works just fine on street or track.

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