My project over this summer has been focus on cooling my setup so hopefully next year I can get back to the track without any fears of issues. So far cooling looks like.
FBM Radiator
Low-Temp Mishimoto thermostat
Subaru OEM Oil Cooler/ Laminova
Spal 12' Slim Fans and Aluminum shroud
Custom 19row Setrab oil cooler/almost identical to the full blown kit w/o the thermo. plate and using mishimoto 2015 wrx adaptor to work with the oem oil cooler.
MAP large capacity Oil Pan
PTP Lave Blanket and DEI Titanium wrapped everything.
Honestly I was a bit disappointed with this setup each part has its flaws but with a few cosmetic mods it has made a huge difference.
-I can't really give a before/after on the radiator and fans because I installed them at the same time as my turbo kit. At least I wouldn't have to worry about the fans melting now. Also the FBM radiator will give you more room due to the offset mounting tabs more space between it and the turbo.
-Didn't notice any difference with the thermostat and fan should. My coolant temps seem the same... though I haven't really checked a log on them. Just going by the stock cluster gauge.
-The oem cooler gave me slightly quicker warmup and I ran around 5*F cooler overall. When I beat on the car temps still rocketed but cooldown was quicker.
-The FBM style cooler is tucked away out of the airflow. The improved oil capacity is very noticible as are the increased warm up times. I averaged 10-13*F cooler in addition to the oem cooler. Getting the car past 230F became difficult so a much improvement there. However like the OEM cooler it can quickly become heatsoaked without airflow.
-MAP oil pan... didn't really notice any difference probably because my oil cooler already increasing the capacity. Last oil change was almost 9qts though. I however did notice an improvement in the old oil's quailty during my last oil change. With 7k miles it was much 'newer' looking than the black stuff I took out pre-oil cooler.
-PTP blanket and DEI wrap are a huge must... the only way you can work on your engine without having to wait hours post drive... without oven mits.
My last 2 changes are in the works. I've been waiting 8 fucking months for my varis hood to arrive after the dipshit delivery driver cracked the first one unloading it. (He walked it off the truck instead of using the lift gate or simply carrying it.)
In the meantime I've been playing with airflow since my 2nd project allowed it. My first try was cutting out a slit on the BRZ's mustashe (along the body line) to increase airflow. My theory was that the intercooler was buffering out airflow that my a/c and radiator were once getting full advantage of. My just happened to come right above the OEM low-speed impact foam asorber and just below the full blown intake's location~ Perfect! A quick test and I didn't really notice anything, slightly cooler but as I was doing the test the sun was setting and the temp slightly with it.
My second try was removing the the foam crash asorber and cutting out the grille. This made a huge difference suprisingly... which I wasn't expecting since I didn't remove the OEM crash bar itself. I'm guessing this allowed air to flow wherever it could go after hitting the metal crash bar.
I decided to take it a step further and completely cut out all of the OEM black grille. The top mustashe and the surround that made up around 2" of the surface area. This made a ungodly difference. Having cut out the lower grilles surround meant my oil cooler behind the foglight was getting air for the first time. Remove the upper mustashe gave a huge increase in incoming airflow. Allowing air to move OVER the crash bar and directly to my radiator in addition to through the intercooler that way. With this setup I could hardly get the car warm enough. 20min of highway driving and back-to-back pulls and I could barely get past 176FF... when I stopped and idled at the lights the temp would climb but soon as airflow hit the front oil temps dropped to right at 180F.
So with the front completely removed I also enounters crazy pressures resulting in my hood fluttering any time I approach 75mph+. The varis hood should take care of that allowing the air somewhere to go. In the meantime I pulled a page from Reaper and remove the rear hood seal.
So slightly overcooling, lack of engine bay venting and the front looks like poo when your closer than 10' away. I'm faily certain I've got this part beat and can hit the track next year with zero fear. Hopefully I can finish up my custom grill to knock back the overcooling and my hood to show up to solve the pressure venting(as well as help reduce temps while stationary.