Getting serious about a FMIC, need options...

howslowcanyougo · 04-26-2005

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

Pimpin Dsmstyle · 04-26-2005

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

**Kracka** · 04-26-2005

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.

TheBlizzard · 04-26-2005

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

howslowcanyougo · 04-26-2005

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

TheBlizzard · 04-26-2005

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

**Kracka** · 04-26-2005

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

**scheides** · 04-26-2005

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.

howslowcanyougo · 04-26-2005

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

slowbubblecar · 04-29-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by howslowcanyougo

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

What turbp you plan on using? If you stay with the 16g, the supra will be fine. I used a supra ic on my talon with a 20g and I don't think I was heating it too much. I only ran 19psi pump also though. I thought is was a pretty easy install but I guess some have had issues. All that needs to be done with it is to make the top ic pipe hole bigger. You could also go with the big greddy FMIC kits. THey go for pretty cheap used. I got my whole kit for $400 and it was in good shape. It is the long route piping but it will be easier to install. It took me a few hours to put mine on.

**Kracka** · 04-26-2005

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?

howslowcanyougo · 04-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by TalonTSiDude

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?

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

95tsi · 04-26-2005

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

**scheides** · 04-26-2005

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.

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 04-26-2005

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.

**Halon** · 04-27-2005

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.

howslowcanyougo · 04-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by me612

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.

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?

Onefast99gsx · 04-27-2005

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

**JET** · 04-27-2005

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??

howslowcanyougo · 04-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET

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??

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...........