Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

98 Tsi, AWD, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, <cry> JoeP, Big 16, DSMLINK, Walbro 225, 650 Injectors, Ingen Intake etc...

Starting to get pretty serious about looking for a FMIC. But I need some options.

Looking for VALUE above all as I need to try to get this in and piped for close to a grand in total. I'm willing to do some of the work <if I can>.

What are my best options in this price range for a complete, and "eaiser to install package?"

Also I really don't want to hack up my bumper too much if possible?


Thanks in advance for your knowledge and ideas.......!


Howie

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

buy an ebay core, call qpr and have him weld up end tanks and do your piping. thats my .02

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

For an easy install with minimal hacking get a GReddy core (24) and piping. There are also many vendors that are making decent 2G kits too (AGP, Buschur, etc.) that require a bit of hacking, but are cheaper and use shorter pipe-routing than the GReddy stuff). IMO, it seems like everyone that has a kit custom fabbed up spends just about the same $$$ as a premade kit and of course goes through a lot more hassle. Nothing quite as nice as having everything you need in a single box.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

A cheaper core will be ok with your 16G but if you ever plan to upgrade turbos I would suggest you just getting a better one now rather than have to get another one down the road. I had the Apexi Skyline FMIC on my 2G and I know a few other 2G guys have had them and in my opinion they are one of the better ones for 2G's. I think Brian Barton (slowwhite) has one on his 2G right now. There are a lot of them out there it just depends on what your future plans are.

CRAIG

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Just talked to a guy who has a Supra SMIC for $150.00 and a Apexi FMIC for $300.00 in good shape. Torn between the easier install of the sidemount, and the better potential of the Apexi?

What say you?

Thx.....


Howie

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Go with the FMIC and that should be an easy choice. I have never done a Supra SM but I would think you would have to mess around just as much to get that to work as a FMIC. Even if it was more work, in the long run you would be way better off with the FMIC. To me it should be a no brainer.

CRAIG

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

CVD had a SSMIC with a 16G for quite a while and was pretty pleased with it I believe, but he did spend a lot of time monkey around with it to get it to fit properly. I also don't remember him getting a huge performance increase once he went to a FMIC, but I'll let him chime in on this. FMIC's do look better too :)

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Supra SMIC is not an easy install, rest assured. I have the buschur 2g fmic kit, and love it. It was a bit more up front, but really no nonsense once installed. No major cutting involved. Piping all really nice & everything is polished.

For value, buy a core & do your own piping.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

So it looks like the FMIC wins over a Supra sidemount then?

Ok so what do you all think of getting this used Apexi front mount core with tanks for $300.00, any major issues with mounting/piping a Apexi?


TIA.....


Howie

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Which Apex'i core and what style endtanks? In/outlet diameter? These are all things you need to know before commiting to it. Have you at least gotten a picture?

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

I had an apexi on my 1g, hated the piping route. the driver's side inlet went up and bent back towards the passenger side, so the piping had to go across, behind the bumper, then through an enlarged hole in the core support. Worked just fine, though.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Guess some pics could help decide right? I'll get with this guy and ask him for some pics, and postem for you evaluate.

Thanks much for your insights!


Howie

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

I went with the Hahn fmic and did the piping myself. I already had the upper I/C pipe so I just tied in with that. I think I spent $550 on my whole setup(minus UIC). Cheaper priced fmic but, for me its worked excellent.

http://hahnracecraft.com/hahn/parts/...tercoolers.htm

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

There is a difference between the FMIC kit that Apexi makes for 2Gs and an Apexi Skyline Core. The core in the 2G is a small Sylvia core and the piping is probably routed bad like in a Greddy kit. The Apexi Skyline core is pretty big, but you need to make your own piping, it is also an expensive core. AMS makes very nice kit for the 2Gs, but it is quite $$$ and major overkill for a 16G.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

If you like to take on projects, I say buy a core and make your own piping. It's what I am doing. I bought a 24x10x3 bar & plate core for 300 bucks. Will be installing it and making my own piping. The driver side will be tricky for me, but you have a 2g and it should be cake for you to route it. Otherwise, for under a grand there are some kits out there. SLS who sponsors this site sells em cheap I think.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

I know I'm going to hate myself for saying this, but that's what I'm going to do. Buy a core and TRY this install as a "Dad thing" with my boy, except he'll prolly want cash money up front as well!

So for now I'm just digging around for cores. Trying to decide first between a small core that is easier to install with less hacking. And a larger core that could support larger turbo, somewhere down the line?

Where is the best balance?

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Here... my brother and i did this one a few years back. It's a Griffin FMIC purchased from RRE. We did the piping ourselves. I cut, he welded. I think i had somewhere around $650-675 into it. Very nice core. Gets ice cold on the cool side of it.

http://mis15437.tripod.com/griffin_20x10.htm

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

I would get an Ebay core before the Griffin. Get one like the one Tom got.

Did I just tell someone to do something that Tom did??

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

I did the ebay thing and QPR piping. Great qualoty unit and awesome work done by Mike but I think overall Ive spent probably more than a big fmic kit. Its also hard to get it right, especially with the long piping route. It just depends on what you want to do. If you plan on upgrading turbos you need to change your piping again.. (that what I had to do) but my j-pipe was really long so it had to be modded quite a bit.

It may seem like your spending less because you will spend 300 on a core first, then atleast 200-400 on piping, depending on metal choice, if your welding yourself, and all other work, couplers, clamps, etc.

Theres an easy way for a fmic and then theres custom. Im very happy with my unit but its tricky and time consuming to build and customize to fit. Other package units are known to fit and work with minimal mods.

Just my .02

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

What's wrong with the Griffin? Have you ever run a griffin? The Griffin i have is actually better than the Spearco 2-178 that was on my car when i bought it. I feel it was much more efficient. I have Mike from RRE to back me up on that one. I called him to ask him which one he liked better and which one to dump. The core is much nicer on the Griffin and seemed to transfer the heat much better.

I'd like to see the actual inside of the cores from the ones that are on ebay. I'd buy something name brand before i'd buy some generic junk on ebay especially when you got over $500 into it.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

I agree with Peter, I would just buy a premade kit. More than likely it will be cheaper in the long run and it most definitely will be easier.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

The Tom thing IS truely scary man?

But even if go with a Ebay core, what size do I need? Do I want to keep in around 9X24X3 for better fitment or go with a monster 12X30X3 for performance? Also what size inlets, 2.5 or 3?

Is there a downside <besides hacking the bumper more> to installing a bigger FMIC while using a smaller turbo, in my case a big 16?

Always need to be thinking about the next upgrade you know!

TIA...........

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Too large of a core will significantly increase the time it takes for your turbo to spool. You want 2.5" in/outlets. 24x10x3 is a good size. Ask Tom what size core he bought...his is pretty nice for the money.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Being that it takes till 3000 RpM for this 16G spool on this auto car now, I don't need any more lag!

Is Tom's installed and running yet?

Any details?

Performance, install issues?

What's brand name, vendor?

TIA.....

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Tom's is not installed yet, but he purchased it on eBay from a vendor in California for I believe under $300 total. His does have 3" in/outlets, but he will be using reducer-couplers to bring it down to 2.5".

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Looking at these here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33742

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33742


This one looks kinda cool?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33742

Kit here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33742

Another kit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33742

Any Comments welcome........TIA..........Howie

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

The first core and last two kits that you linked to look OK. I still like AGP's or Buschur's 2G kit better (both are $1000 plus about $50 for a J-pipe). Have you looked at Dejon's stuff yet? Their kit with a J-pipe will put you right around $900.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Yea, it can take something like 0.0001 seconds longer to fill a large FMIC versus a small one.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

No whining about lag, your car has a turbo, and you will always have lag. If you ever upgrade your turbo you will have more lag, it is just how the system works (for now).

I have a the Buschur 2g kit, w/ a 24x11x3.5 core, and with the small 16g I have on there now, I get 10psi by about 2300rpms, depending on what gear I'm in.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

If that's the case this combo don't look too bad for the $ then?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33742

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

I doubt it is a real greddy core, there are WAY too many couplers, and there are no beads on the pipe. It doesn't look too bad though. Bring it over to me and I will weld up a few of the pipes and bead the other ends. It also doesn't look like they have reducers to go from the 3" FMIC to the 2.5" (?) pipes. Looks like a decent deal though.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Holy Crap is that baby big!

18" x 12" x 3"

Check this pic:


http://store1.yimg.com/I/yhst-609871...2_1842_1036849


Man is that big bitch really going to fit into my Talon with out totaly hacking the bumper???

12" is pretty tall ain't it?

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Seems like a good deal to me too but there is like 6 days left in the auction. Also seems like too big of an intercooler IMO. I don't see any pictures of brackets and such. They weld bung things to the top and bottom but where is the parts that actually mount it to something? I spent probably just as much time trying to figure out how/what to mount to as i did on the piping idea project. Also, unless you're gonna cut the shit out of your front bumper cover, that intercooler size is a waste. You'll have about 4 to 5 rows of passages that are covered up.

IMPORTANT- Also if you have a 2g with foglights, make sure you can still have your fogs with whatever I/C you choose. The 2-178 that i sold, the way the tanks were made and the mounts were, didn't allow you to run your fogs. The piping went right smack in front of where the fogs were.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

I have 3 friends running intercoolers made by a company called HYBRID. They are bar & Plate, and about 24x10x3. They all are making good numbers with them on their EVO's, and they got them off ebay for right around 300. I'd keep an eye out for them if you can find one. They are cheap, and apparently they are working just great. I'll keep an eye out too.

Also as a cheap alternative, I have heard a lot of good things about the stock EVO intercooler. Someone else please chime in, but I was researching it because my friend had bought one off another one of my friends. I kinda thought it wasn't the smartest thing at first until I started reading. And supposidely those stockers are supposed to perform pretty good. Anyone else hear this??

edit... I just looked on ebay and couldn't find any of the HYBRID companies cores for sale, but I did find this KIT with a picture of HYBRID's cores just to give you an idea of what their cores look like.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ayphotohosting

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

I agree, that damm "GEREEDY" Kit just looked too damm big!

And I DO have the stocker fogs, that I'd like to keep.

Thanks much Chris for the tip on those "Hybrid" models, they look like they may fit the bill?

Just wonder how they would mount up on a 2G?

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

I did find this other kit that looked over at dsmparts.com?

http://www.dsmparts.com/customer/pro...cat=134&page=1

Will have to just keep digging!

If anyone runs into something cool and cheaper, please gimme a shout k?

Many Thanks to ALL!


Howie

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Well, when you're comparing the different sizes, be sure to calculate the volume that they fill, not just the length & width & how 'big' they look.

my ic is 24x11x3.5, or 924ci. if you get a core that is 'about the same size' and only 3" thick, that comes out to only 792 ci, or 15% smaller. Just something to keep in mind. That IC core above comes out to only 532ci, seems pretty small to me. But, if you plan on sticking with a 16g setup, it might be just right!

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

If you buy a core everything (mouting, piping route, modifications to make it fit) will all be custom. Brackets will need to be made, your bumper will need to be hacked until it fits. Its your choice but I doesnt seem like you want to go the super custom route. I doubt youll be able to keep the fogs too... but Im not sure, it all depends.

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Ok for price, value and fitment, what do you guys think of this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=7969202112

Check out the sweet 2G pics farther down the page!


I know it 's too small for a 50 trim, as it's only 530 ci, but maybe ok on my 16G?

Re: Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...
 

Prolly will work just fine, even on a 50 trim...