Anyone running the Alta or DDM couplers? I just got mine on, but I'm having a terrible time getting the stock locks/bolts on over them. Any advice? Can they be run without, as long as the diverter and such are tightened down tight? I had the clamps started, but it seems like they won't secure all the way like the stock ones did. Any and all help/advice is appreciated.

 

i have the alta, the only issues that I had was getting the coupler over the post IC side. try moving them a bit back and forth to try and get a decent clamp, cause they could be longer than the seating areas. which would make it harder to get the clamps on. I cant imagine that the silicone is going to be that much thicker between all of their units

 

They seem pretty thick. As thick, or maybe a tad thicker, than my Venair intake hose. Spent about 30 minutes trying with the clamps then took a break as to not get angry, haha.

 

Anyone else have some feedback?

 

There are a few hundred posts on this subject.... The silicone couplers look cool, and are cheap...but make a 5 minute job into a nightmare... Get them on wrong...you get a code.
IMO new OEM ones every 5-7 years are the way to go...
Folks have tried soaking them in boiling water and putting them on hot..have read everything... Putting a round band of rubber on an oval opening is not a good option.

 

Well we got them on, but haven't started the car yet. I was mid oil change when I realized the Fumoto valve I bought was defective. So I'm waiting to hear back from Out Motoring about replacing the new valve I just bought. Then I can finish my oil change and see if there are any codes :/

 

I bought a set of Alta couplers from a user here on NAM. They were a complete pain to install. I did manage to get the clamps on and have not had any leaks or lights since. I can't really tell you exactly how I did it, because I tried so many different approaches until I found one that worked.

Based on my experience, I would stick with factory rubber couplers.

 

As stated, factory couplers are the way to go. The silicone looks cool, but for most is a pain to install, and even when fully clamped down can still leak. The 4-5 ply silicone couplers are too thick for the stock clamps to lock down as designed, and can cause boost/vacuum leaks.

 

^This^

 

I bought a pair of DDM in red to match my car before reading all the horror stories surrounding them. Just popped them off last night for a supercharger service. Can't say I had any extra problems with them vs. the stock ones and I like the color. Installing a bigger intercooler with silicon couplers was a lot harder on a WRX than installing these in an r53.

 

I heard that the DDM aren't as bad to install, that might be why. I have the Alta ones and it probably took me longer than swapping the s/c pulley!

 

And remember.... If you have a GP or GP IC, the intercooler must come off to swap the plugs out...something that is suggested be done with each inspection 2....so every 30,000 miles or less.