AWDFTW Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 Does anyone have any experience with the Subtle Solutions or similar radiator shroud on a 3rd Gen OB? I'm considering one for the XT and/or Sprout if they actually do something other than bling up the engine bay. Subtle, Grimspeed and others claim that: "Another common issue that we are fixing is that in stock form, because of the way the front of the Subaru is designed, there is incoming air that doesn't actually pass through the radiator because of some large gaps in sealing at the top. Our shroud forces this air back through the radiator which in turn keeps the radiator cooler." Thoughts? Experiences? Worth something, wasting $80? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EatingInternet Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 Never heard of any car overheating because of a gap between the frame and the radiator. You're not gonna notice any difference, the statement is probably there to just give an excuse to buy it so it's not just "buy this pretty sheet of metal for $80". They do look good, so if you think it's worth it go for it, but don't think that it's actually gonna make the car run any significant amount cooler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utc_pyro Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 There are seals on the hood to address the gaps. There are bigger gaps to the side if you're trying to seal things up. I run a grimmspeed one. Not because I think it does anything for cooling, but because it makes the radiator mounting adjustable. Thus I can pull it forward to provide more fan-inlet hose clearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JmP6889928 Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 It helps to close up all the gaps, especially if you're going to track it. Plus, they clean up the engine bay nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWDFTW Posted November 7, 2018 Author Share Posted November 7, 2018 I have no intention of turning a daily into a track car, but I am tempted to pick one up for the hopeful benefits as well as the aesthetics. My short term goals for the XT to be are improved reliability via a catless UP and a Cobb OTS stage 1. If nothing serious happens, I'll go Stage 2 with a protune but that is not certain until I know if I have a 1 year car or a 10 year car, as it'll be pushing 13 years old when I get it from the original owner. It'll be a daily driver, occasional road tripper, and camping vehicle. Making a Subaru turbo as reliable as I can get it is more important to me than ultimate performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoolnc.edb Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 I recently purchased the grimmspeed shroud. I really felt like I wasted $80 but as JM said they add quite a nice touch to the engine bay. I highly doubt they have much if any functional value, but if it secures a path of air over the fins of the radiator that would otherwise go elsewhere in the engine bay then there could be some cooling efficiency gains Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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