Hello. I was wondering is an upper intercooler upgrade really needed on an Evo 8? I am planning on purchasing a LICP and may upgrade the intercooler later. I know I can just buy the LICP and get the intercooler later. But if I get the kit, which includes upper and lower I will save money per piece, I can just install the rest later. Is there a benefit from the UICP or is it just for looks. Keep in mind I am not getting short route I will be getting stock battery route. I figure even with that there still fewer bends than stock, smoother flow and less rubber.

 

If you not gonna use short route then don't waste your money on upper.

 

^^^ I agree if I was you I'd get a mini battery kit and a short route upper intercooler pipe it's worth the gains and looks great.

 

I am also in the same situation as you. I got the ets lower intercooler pipe and am thinking about the ets 3.5" fmic right now. I do not want to get the battery kit because I do not want a mini battery. I think I will wait to see if I really need the upper pipe, I do not think it is needed but if I do get one, I will either get the stock route ets or the cbrd upper intercooler kit. The cbrd is alot of $$$ but will work with the perrin intake I got and will keep a full size battery. If people that has done the stock route upper and found gains or think it was worth it please let us know!! Thank You

 

Short answer, NO.

 

^^^This! A pointless replacement of a fine factory part.

 

If you have issues with the stock couplers blowing off, samco (I think) sells silicone replacements.

However, short route UICP and trunk mounted battery is a good setup.