FMIC Pipe Question
 

I pulled a Conquest FMIC from a car not long ago, and after installing it on the vehicle, running the pipes. There seems to be a noticable longer lag period. I know the longer pipes, and being rubber doesn't help.

But i want some expert advice as to what i'm feeling is just the extra space in the system having to fill up, or maybe a boost leak.

To state the obvious, i mounted the FMIC on the front of the car, more twards the passengers side, so the edge of the intercooler is right at the divider on the 1g's for the pasengers side fog light. I took the hose from the turbo, routed it through the small hole right next to the radiator overflow bottle, or where it should be(dropped the overflow bottle 2 inches). I then put the air right into the passengers side entry to the intercooler. I used the metal U pipe off of the Conquest, it's more of a C shape, but with 4 inches of ruber hose from the turbo outlet it conects to the metal pipe, runs behind the headlight(don't ask) and down to the intercooler. The return line i ran under the bumper suport and around to the stock location all with rubber hosing from the stock eclipse piping, and the Conquest. I checked all hoses for leaks or cuts and found nothing.

The problem, the car boosts to 12 PSI at around 4,100 rpm and doesn't creep up at all. Before i was pushing around 15 psi on the stock SMIC all day long. Take of is a noticable change, but top end seems to be more pepy. I figured the FMIC is cooling better then the stock system, and seeing small results from this. But why such a large turbo lag? Could i be having a boost leak somewhere and just not know about it? Or is the extra piping around to the stock location really causing the trouble?

I'm not set in stone on my path for the pipes. If anyone has a better idea, please let me know. I"ll try and get pics up on sunday or monday to give a better idea of what i'm talking about.

Re: FMIC Pipe Question
 

You are better off with the shorter piping and stock SMIC. The StarQuest FMIC's are not an upgrade for DSM's.

Re: FMIC Pipe Question
 

Probably a boost leak. Extra piping is not going to make that huge of a difference.

Re: FMIC Pipe Question
 

I'll try getting the boost test done this weekend, or try running a shorter pipe rout. Hope i fix the leak that way before i check all the conections.

But S2dracka, it's a FMIC, cooler air and the total cost for the intercooler and pips, $25. My stocker heatsoaked after 2-3 good pulls in 80+ weather running 15psi. I've actually burnt my hand on the side mount before.

Re: FMIC Pipe Question
 

The stock sidemount is getting the same fresh cool air a FMIC does, except its off to the side and not in the center. The 1G SMIC also flows more than the SQ FMIC.

Re: FMIC Pipe Question
 

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but after doing some research, the 89 SQ's came with a 16 bar intercooler, not the 14 bar that came out he previous years(years may be wrong). But, i got the larger of the two. I've seen a few form threads on other sites stating the 16 bar flows as well as a stock SMIC or better. And, being it is a FMIC with a larger cooling surface cools the air better. Found someone who installed the same set up i do, in about the same place, and had no issues with overheating. After 4 100mph + pulls my temps never changed, my top end is much better, but i've still got a boost leak. Turbo won't come online till 4k.

After doing some searching on Tuners, NABR and a few other small sites i've run into multiple people with the same issue. Boost leak, most often from the turbo outlet. Going to go out and look at the car quick to make sure everything is tight.

But there are tons of install "How To's" for the SQ ic on VFAQ, Tuners and elsewhere. Something's gota be right about it.

But anyone know when i could expect full boost on the new FMIC? Before i got it around 2900-3100 on a launch.

Re: FMIC Pipe Question
 

The 88-89 SQ did get a slightly larger intercooler.

Your spool-up time will at most only be a few hundred RPM later than it was before once you get your leaks fixed. There is a gasket on the turbo outlet (assuming 14B/16G on a 1G) that likes to leak, they are pretty cheap to replace. Other than that, check all couplers and clamps and make sure your IC necks aren't coroded at all. There are also gaskets that may be suspect on either side of your throttle body.

Re: FMIC Pipe Question
 

Ever wonder if you have an epileptic shock when you work on your car? Sometimes i do...

3 clamps could still be hand tightened, and 2 others were way to loose. Can't test drive it today, but hopefully soon.