17 replies to this topic

[Daniel-B4]

A friend has offered me a nice big front mount intercooler and
I was wondering if its worth putting on or going and getting a after market
top mount since the stock one is so small..
Any ideas on what i should do?

[skillionaire]

HI,


The great debate. To FMIC or TMIC

• FMIC (49 votes [52.69%])

TMIC (44 votes [47.31%])



FMIC WILL ALWAYS WIN IF THE SUPPORTING MODS ARE THERE.



IF YOU LET US KNOW WHAT OTHER MODS YOU HAVE WE CAN ANSWER BETTER. ALSO, HOW MUCH?



CHEERS,

NIK

[alexGT]

back mount is the new trend i hear

[Scuba-Roo]

Pft side mount is less laggy. SMIC vs BMIC??

Do you wanna start the new thread or should I?

[Murf B4]

if you breach the 180-190kw mark go front or a nice big Top Mount

[Adam]

If you need some more info, have a read of the tmic/fmic thread, plenty of info already on there!

[Jimbo]

Check out a mob in NZ called Scarles. They do TT piping kits, can be knocked together in a weekend = win.

I did a FMIC on my Gen1 for under $300 and did the whole job in a night.

You can do it! Camaaaaaaaan. More energyyyyyy. Up. Down.

[Alex]

[Shaz]

You can do it! Camaaaaaaaan. More energyyyyyy. Up. Down.

SQUUEZE THOSE BUTTOCKS! UP, AND DOWN! MOAR ENERGY!

Hahaha, classic.

Cheers,
Shazza

[4rstr]

to add to this (and also the tmic vs fmic thread) michael south did a comparison of the same car, an 09 sti, with both a fmic and tmic. one after the other.
pics on his facebook, but general run down is the fmic made less power (and less boost?) at the same revs.
but coming from an NA owner, not exactly hugely knowledgable on this topic.

[BigWillieStyles]

to add to this (and also the tmic vs fmic thread) michael south did a comparison of the same car, an 09 sti, with both a fmic and tmic. one after the other.
pics on his facebook, but general run down is the fmic made less power (and less boost?) at the same revs.
but coming from an NA owner, not exactly hugely knowledgable on this topic.

Just checked his facebook. So many variables and doesnt really mean much. He is comparing a no name brand FMIC from the US with a quality stock item.

[TSG]

Would you ever push the car that hard that it needs more than the stock TMIC? I thought B4's were fine and dandy with the stock TMIC? I'd do it if I was going boost crazy though. Other than that I don't really see the point.

Do what Jesse did, and just fit on the front for looks but he is doing an engine upgrade soon.

[XXB4XX]

Unless you're creating huge power, a front mount will always be more of that wanker effect.

Yes you will lose boost, and yes you will lose power, how much is dependent on the build quality.

See a mate of mine has a 600hp Turbo car, he needs a fmic. A 280hp Subaru does not.

[Alex]

I disagree.

Real world first hand experience has dictated that FMIC > TMIC.

Not going to debate this here. It's already been discussed.

[Scuba-Roo]

Micheal South's also been designing an building some water to air intercoolers and getting good results with that.

[Jimbo]

LOL FMIC **** factor? So many people are afraid of massive lag or boost drop ect ect. I just fitted a FMIC to my GT, ZERO difference in lag, ZERO difference in response, ZERO difference in boost.


Gains? I dont have to baby it away from a set of lights for it to cool down again, i have gains to mid and top end power that i can feel. I also have much less chance of detonation once summer kicks in. Also, this will give me a higher ceiling later on when i want to do a tune. Some guys waste $800 on a slightly bigger TMIC that still soaks up engine bay heat, for that money you can have a FMIC setup hand-made and tailored to you.


If FMIC is so unnecessary, why do 99% of car manufacturers place them at the front of the car now days? Aside from Mazda i cant think of ANY that still use TMIC anymore apart from your odd diesel here and there.


Just get your hands dirty and get one made up, theres plenty of kits available.

[fatcat67]

Mods, is this thread really necessary?
Close it and direct the OP to the correct relevant threads.
Oh, and to the OP, please try and bloody search (hell, just Google it)for relevant threads. This debate always turns to crap and is a waste of time.

[B4TT]

Indeed.
FMIC are simply better
Having said that I won't be fitting one to my car as I have no desire to cut bits of the front end to fit one.. but there is no denying the benefits.