Do I need a tune for an upgraded intercooler on the WRX?

An upgraded intercooler does not automatically establish one tune rule for every product and combination. PERRIN explicitly labels its 2022-2026 WRX top-mount and front-mount intercoolers as not requiring ECU recalibration for the tested applications, and it separately warns that any tune must cover all installed modifications. Before installation, verify the exact year, transmission, brackets, charge piping, bypass-valve connections, and intake compatibility in the manufacturer's instructions. A leak, loose connection, or incompatible combination can cause drivability or boost-control symptoms even when a standalone calibration is not specified. Do not promise a particular power result on the stock calibration. Cooling performance and realized power depend on operating conditions and the rest of the setup. If the car is already tuned, changing charge-air hardware should be disclosed to the tuner so the complete combination can be reviewed and logged. Emissions legality and warranty effects are separate questions. Follow the product's application notice and local law, and remember that Subaru's warranty language concerns damage or failure resulting from modifications rather than supplying a universal outcome for every claim.