FMIC kits
 

I was wondering what the main differences are in FMIC kits that you can buy off eBAY for around $500 vs. the ones that cost over $1000 from places like dsmparts, slowboyracing, etc.? Is it just the type of piping or what? Im looking to get a FMIC for my 93 talon tsi, so I wanna see what you guys would recommend.

Thanks

Re: FMIC kits
 

The cores. Not all heat exchangers are created equally.

Re: FMIC kits
 

There can also be a variance in the material used, it's finish, and how much work is labor in house and outsourced. Add in quality couplers, and shit adds up quick.

Re: FMIC kits
 

ebay core ftw!

Re: FMIC kits
 

Not really,there isnt a whole lot of difference between the two, as long as you look at materials used and flow design. I mean intercoolers dont have alot to them, the design isnt complicated or anything. I would just say look for a good source off ebay and pay less. Im sure you wont need a $1000 intercooler, youll get by fine with a $500 one.

Re: FMIC kits
 

How about we have Shane, Mo, or LSE chime in so they can share their experiences with "quality" ebay cores heatsoaking like mad.

Not all of them are shit, but most are.

Re: FMIC kits
 

Intercoolers have been discussed time and time again on this board, search around a bit.

Re: FMIC kits
 

I'm glad that we have an expert in the house.

Re: FMIC kits
 

Can you please have a few years of research and experiance about the products at hand before you make false statements?

If someone really wants to read a good link on intercoolers I've always liked the explanation here: http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/turbo/intercooler.html

Re: FMIC kits
 

Sweet. Lets all do this again like we do every 6 months or so.

http://www.dsmstyle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14422
http://www.dsmstyle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14376
http://www.dsmstyle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12935
http://www.dsmstyle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5436
http://www.dsmstyle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5307

Re: FMIC kits
 

We so still have a search button don't we?

Re: FMIC kits
 

Whats this Search button you speak of????

Re: FMIC kits
 

I was looking for more of an answer on the piping kits. I read the forum on the intercooler core itself. I'm so sorry I didn't do a search first. I suppose since now I sinned against all of you, you should probably go ahead and curb stomp my face in. Thank you to all of you that responded.

Re: FMIC kits
 

Double post.

Re: FMIC kits
 

Whos Ebay?

FYI - If you want to buy an ebay IC, a guy on another forum collaborates the 'good' stuff from ebay kits and sells his own for around 300.

And when I say 300 thats rounded UP. 2.75" core.

Re: FMIC kits
 

Just trying to help someone not spend $1000 on one part make sence enough? Just dont buy like a $100 intercooler off ebay cause chances are it might not be very great. And for piping, I dont really think you need a kit, I made my own. Just get the piping and cut-to-fit, then weld beads around the ends and thats it.

Re: FMIC kits
 

What statments have I said that are false? I never made a statment, and I never told him anything false. I just said an air to air heat exchanger doesnt take long to understand.

Re: FMIC kits
 

My advice is no good, please delete.

Re: FMIC kits
 

I was going to say the same thing, and for most of the $1000 kits they actually have done some r&d to find the most efficient path for the air to travel. You get what you pay for.

On the other hand i built my intercooler setup and i like it, 2 1/2" piping and a OEM Evo VIII intercooler. I spent around $500, but my trade offs are that it looks no where near as nice as a $1000 kit and i had to take the time out and retro fit the piping. I actually had LSE make my LICP later on because i was having issues with a bend and i dont have a welder and they did a fantastic job.

my $.02

Re: FMIC kits
 

Just make sure when you buy the plumming kit it has a BOV flange and the bead weld around the ends for the coulper, weither it be 2.50, 2.75, or 3 inch, stainless, or painted, Plastic or metal, all your choice.. Hope this helps and good luck

Re: FMIC kits
 

The hell it does. Are you an expert on thermodynamics and heat transfer?

Re: FMIC kits
 

Im a diesel mechanic, and I own a semi truck. Im pretty sure I know a thing or two about air to air heat exchangers bud.

But imo id just stick with what you can afford, if you cant afford $600-$1000 FMIC. I would say wait and save, because really you wont find a good one for less than $600, and even thats kinda pushin it. I paid like 750 for my setup, but you can get a QUALITY IC for less than $1000.

Plus you guys do know that they have dealers on ebay, like turbonetics and greddy and other big names.

Re: FMIC kits
 

Agreed, rofl!

Re: FMIC kits
 

Wonderful. I am an engineer, but I am certainly not going to market myself as an expert on heat exchangers because of my background. Thermodynamics and heat transfer is not a simple subject, no matter what you say. The best intercooler advice on this forum is going to be sourced from those who deal with them on a continual, daily basis: DB, LSE, MAP, etc.

Re: FMIC kits
 

never said I was expert, dont put words in my mouth, just saying I know how it works and have knowledge on the subject. Is that all you guys do is put ppl down or what? Thought we were trying to help a guy figure out his situation, not bicker on who has the most knowledge or whats right and whats wrong. Is it not suppose to be supportive advice from ppl with all diff. backrounds? Just because someone deals with somthing on a continued basis,doesnt necessarly make them an expert either, just means they have knowledge in the area and not completely ignorant. And that wasnt a cool thing to do, jumping on that guys case because he asked a question. Think if you where him....

Re: FMIC kits
 

If you dont have a welder buy a quality kit and be done with it. It will fit right and will come with everything you need to make it work. Be careful with the eBay stuff, it is hit or miss. Some cores are junk and some piping kits dont come with beads on the ends for the couplers. Some come with worm screw clamps vs t-bolt clamps, some are just shitty chrome plated steel piping that will look like shit when it starts to peal.

If I were you I would buy a good used kit from someone parting out their car or switching setups. Save some money and get a quality product.

Re: FMIC kits
 

So, there's mutliple thread with arguments on this subject alread. I'd suggest getting back on topic before this is locked up. Just my opinion though.

As for the origional question, your selection on intercooler/piping is going to be very dependant on where you wanna go with the vehicle, and how much power you are going to be making in the future

Re: FMIC kits
 

Ebay cores are very highly looked upon. I've read that many people have had great luck with them and they have taken them well into the low 12s and 11s. This is why I got one.

Re: FMIC kits
 

What does that even mean???

People have gone 11s on stock sidemount intercoolers too, woop de doooo.

If you want to put crap parts on your car, thats your choice.

Re: FMIC kits
 

Haha the only ebay part on my car is the core. I don't want to get too off topic, and I'm not one to flame, but there are lots of huge threads on tuners of people all over using ebay cores and making good power off them. I guess I havn't read or heard of anybody running 11's on a sidemount so thats news to me, but I can tell you that more ppl run 11s on ebay cores than they do on stock sidemounts haha.

Re: FMIC kits
 

Brian, if I remember right, your whole kit came in the same box. :) I'm not saying it's not sick, and I'm not saying it isn't possible to make good power on a ebay core. (Mark W's stealth TT for example). But you have to admit that your piping was some janky ass shit, before LSE modified it.

Re: FMIC kits
 

Very true. I never said the piping was good, I said the cores are highly reccomended on other forums.

Re: FMIC kits
 

Keep in mind, not everything you hear on the internet is true :lol: .
Hell, most of the Rx7 guys swear by Greddy/HK$ stuff.

Re: FMIC kits
 

ebay isnt as bad as ppl make it out to be. I bought quite bit of parts off it, they were just parts from ppl. like parting out junk cars and what not,same concept of buying from ppl on here. I just dont go through a whole lot of bunk ass sellers. And dont buy things that say "HKS STYLE" lol.

Re: FMIC kits
 

Thats still better than the new generation of 240sx drift wannabees that swear by SSautoshit.