FMIC options

[grimm]

So i'm in the market for a FMIC. I know a lot of people are quite fond of the SS autochrome FMIC kit, for $295 But they are sold out for about 2 months. So in the mean time, i thought i might as well check out my other options.
I checked out the x02 racing one, which retails for the same as the SS autochrome one, but you can't keep the fog lights and a few other people complained about quality and fitment, lus the core is tiny and you can see the couplings on the end tanks thru the center portion of the front bumper

I also found this
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1113411
it's an APS/replica, allows for stock fogs, and is the clockwise design, unlike some other intercoolers out there. It's about $500 more then the aa autochrome one, but comes complete with everything including a new coolant resevoir tank.And it's black...


I also then saw this deal on a turbo XS one.
https://cvrmotorsports.com/view_prod...roduct=WS-FMIC
haven't looked into it much, but it comes with a BPV? which is cool but I already have one? SO I dunno?

In anycase I'd like some opinions.

1) should i wait out the 2 months?
2) is the quality of these I posted going to be significantly better, enough to justify the cost? the clockwise design makes more sense to me?
3) i dunno i just like having 3 questions.

[xEJ20x]

1) It depends on how badly you need the fmic.

2) It doesn't take much effort to change an normal fmic to the clockwise pattern. But I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for". Expecially when concerning car parts.

3) We all do. It's like the choice "C" on tests.

[grimm]

well do we ever need any of these toys we buy for our cars? not really, but i have been rather ansy to pull the trigger on this ever since i decided that i wanted to go with one. And I'm not to worried about the added cost, as long as it will last.

I too believe whole heartedly that you get what you pay for, which is what worried me about any of these kits...

haha and iwas always a firm believer in "when in doubt choose c"

[xEJ20x]

Before you bite the bullet.
Ask yourself "Do you really need to run a fmic?"

What is your current set up anyways?

[Nick 95 6sp]

I got one for my Supra from Extreme Turbo Systems in Washington State. I bet they could fab one up to any size you need real fast and reasonably priced, though not as cheap as SSA ...but I still hear mixed reviews of SSA quality. http://www.extremeintercoolers.com/

[grimm]

Originally Posted by xEJ20x

Before you bite the bullet.
Ask yourself "Do you really need to run a fmic?"

What is your current set up anyways?

well that was my debate before deciding i wanted to go this route. I'm running a vf30 w/supporting mods. I don't plan on getting a bigger turbo, at least not until this one goes.

[xEJ20x]

Originally Posted by grimm

well that was my debate before deciding i wanted to go this route. I'm running a vf30 w/supporting mods. I don't plan on getting a bigger turbo, at least not until this one goes.

Your setup seems sufficient in itself. If you have the larger topmount already, then goin frontmount would be pointless.

[grimm]

still got the stock Top mount. and prefer the bling over an sti or after market top mount. I guess I'm looking for someone to help justify buying now for more the double the SS FMIC. or wait 2 months and see?

I'm a bit of an APS brand whore so....

[grimm]

anyone else?? would like to hear some other peoples views on this.

[grimm]

wow never thought I would see a lack of suby owner responses on TST...

[mr_eh]

honestly, i'd stick with the top mount
performance > bling

[TROLL]

damn give it more than 4 hours.... this is a pretty decent response so far i think.
i dont know anything about that aps replica so i really cant comment there. sounds like you're the resident expert there now so you can tell us if its worth it.
ss autochrome generally makes junk but their fmic and tmic have both been very very good to the subaru community.
the other option is to find a real aps fmic for about 1000 used.

[grimm]

haha, sorry i guess my interest and enthusiam towards this has made the day feel longer then actuality. You know like waiting for santa...

[IMPREZvWRX]

As far as "you get what you pay for" goes, that usually holds true but I'll have to disagree this time. I've owned both the Hyperflow FMIC kit and the SSAC FMIC kit. As far as build quality goes, there isn't much of a difference between the two. I'll sum it up.


Hyperflow Kit - $999 (I paid $1475 for mine in 2003 or 2004, I forget)
+ Nice BOV adapter included
+ Nice silicone couplers
+ Well-written instructions
+ Comes with new overflow tank
+ Comes with bumper beam
- Needs an aftermarket intake
- Cheap hose clamps (I needed to replace them with t-bolts, $110 from Granger)

SSAC Kit - $249 (I paid $249 shipped in December 2006)
+ Decent silicone couplers
+ Seems to perform as well as the Hyperflow
+ Costs as much as a used STI TMIC (I went sold mine, bought the FMIC and had money left over!)
+ Also comes with a new overflow tank
+ Comes with an aluminum bumper beam
+ Includes a MAF housing - just add cone filter
+ T-bolt clamps included
- You're almost on your own for installation instructions (though NASIOC has a pretty good thread or few on this)
- You need to buy a BOV adapter unless you have a TXS style BOV ($20 for WBR)
- You need to buy a silicone reducer ($20)
- You get made fun of for having ebay parts on your car

It's pretty easy reverse the flow of the piping. I cut and reversed the SSAC kit in less than an hour while working on other things as well.

You're best bet is to get on the list for the SSAC kit. You're not in dire need of a FMIC at this time, so why not wait.

[redline]

ETS FTW! They stand behind their products and they have been proven the best for the money.

Ebay IC will be heatsoaked after one pull, their are several R$D tests done on evom that prove this. HTH.

[IMPREZvWRX]

What's EVOM doing testing WRX FMIC kits? SHouldn't they be testing stuff for other cars?

[redline]

Originally Posted by IMPREZvWRX

What's EVOM doing testing WRX FMIC kits? SHouldn't they be testing stuff for other cars?

Dont get upset! I was just stating they were tested and they were proven not to work as good as the more expensive intercoolers. And I am sure the car has nothing to do with it, it is the design!

[IMPREZvWRX]

Originally Posted by redline

Dont get upset! I was just stating they were tested and they were proven not to work as good as the more expensive intercoolers. And I am sure the car has nothing to do with it, it is the design!

Even if it is the design, your post has nothing to do with this thread. Heatsoaked after a pull of what? A dyno pull? Quarter mile? Daytona 500? Even if it is 'the design' what part of it is flawed? The welds on the pipes? The brand stamped into the end tank?

You recommended the ETS kit...how much does it cost for the WRX?

[redline]

Originally Posted by IMPREZvWRX

Even if it is the design, your post has nothing to do with this thread. Heatsoaked after a pull of what? A dyno pull? Quarter mile? Daytona 500? Even if it is 'the design' what part of it is flawed? The welds on the pipes? The brand stamped into the end tank?

You recommended the ETS kit...how much does it cost for the WRX?

I recommend ETS for the excellent fabrication and proven performance. They are hands down the best IC for the money. I am not sure what makes the Ebay IC not perform, if you look into it you will find out why.

As stated above, if you email ETS they will give you a price as the core will be close to every other one they allready make.

[IMPREZvWRX]

Originally Posted by redline

I recommend ETS for the excellent fabrication and proven performance. They are hands down the best IC for the money. I am not sure what makes the Ebay IC not perform, if you look into it you will find out why.

As stated above, if you email ETS they will give you a price as the core will be close to every other one they allready make.

You totally missed my point. Do they even make one for the WRX?

I look into the SSAC FMIC's performance every day I drive my car, just as I am familiar with the Hyperflow kit's performance having owned one for a few years. Not that it has anything to do with the point of this thread, my ebay car is faster than my name brand car was and cost 20% as much to build it. How's that for internet forum performance research. NASA could do a full study of the metals used for each core and it wouldn't change my mind that the SSAC works. I'm not seeing any of this heatsoak you mention and neither will the OP because the little VF30 on his car will never need even half of a core this size.