Looking for more power, what would you do?

[black_ninja23]

Hey guys,
Looking to do my next mod, cause my butt's gotten used to the power of the MS3. I currently have a COBB SRI. I'm budgeting myself around $1200. And so far i've thought of getting either a COBB FMIC or a combo of the ETS TMIC and an HKS CBE. Which do you guys think is the better route to go as far as gaining more power. And if I do go with the TMIC, is there any way to put a heat shield at the back of the intercooler? I've noticed that most of the heatsoak occurs at the back of the intercooler since it's sitting right over the exhaust manifold.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Fmic Ftw! Imo

 

[RelliMS3]

If you're willing to spend over a grand then i think FMIC is the way to go. From what i've read it seems like a CBE will do almost nothing for power by itself and the FMIC is much better than the TMIC. Plus the FMIC looks sooooooo bad ass.

 

[wisniaPl]

turbo upgrade hahah

 

[Bonafide_Spd3]

Bpv, Turbo inlet and Exhaust is the next mods I'm thinking about. I was thinking about hks bpv, and hks cbe, and then maybe some gauges aloso. Can't get the complete exhaust because I'm moving to cali the beginning of next year which sucks because I really wanted to get a tbe

 

[cageyvet]

for $1200, I'd get the following, exhaust depot fmic, txs dp, txs rp

 

[arkenzo]

for $1200, I'd get the following, exhaust depot fmic, txs dp, txs rp

If heatsoak really is an issue for you (should only be an issue during summer time and stop n' go traffic), then go FMIC, if it isn't much of an issue, I suggest the ETS TMIC 3.25" and the TurboXS Downpipe + Midpipe (make sure you get the newest revision of the DP/MP), RKM SSQV from dabears2k.com and you should be golden!

What's wrong with cali and no cats? I'm completely catless and if you need to get the car inspected, get it done when you move to cali, then get the downpipe + midpipe

 

[black_ninja23]

i live in cali, what's wrong with going with turboback? is it cause of the cat?

hmm, you know i think for now I'm gonna go for the ETS, the RKM BPV from dabears2k.com, and MAYBE a STS and motor mounts. I wanna be able to switch back to stock in case of warranty works...maybe after the warranty is done i'll go FMIC.

BTW, is it hard to install motor mounts? I'm planning on doing the installs with my friend, both of us have only had the experience of installing the COBB SRI.

also for the motor mounts i'm thinking of getting the CPEs

 

[Bonafide_Spd3]

I was stationed out in cali a couple of years ago. My buddy and I got back from a deployment and he bought a catless exhaust system. A couple weeks later he was driving through santa barbara and got pulled over because his exhaust was too loud and the cop checked out his exhaust and gave him a fine and he had to get it taken off in so many days. I just don't want that crap to happen to me

 

[techspeak]

Fuel Pump!!

 

[ndedomin]

I say forget power and put it towards upgrading the brakes/suspension. You could get a set of BC coil overs for $1000, or you could get some new brake rotors/brake pads.

However, if you really want one of the two options you listed, I would say get the FMIC. After I finish upgrading the suspension on my speed3, an FMIC will be one of my first mods to the engine bay.

 

[Frisco speed3]

I live in cali and cp-e said their catted down pipe would pass the sniffer,not the visual becauese it doesn't have the C.A.R.B sticker. Im debating it myself.

 

[arkenzo]

I live in cali and cp-e said their catted down pipe would pass the sniffer,not the visual becauese it doesn't have the C.A.R.B sticker. Im debating it myself.

It's a double edged sword....Not passing the visual will still get you a fail...Either way, getting the Catted version is still an emissions violation, you have to absolutely leave everything emissions related, stock.

 

[racersir]

ETS TMIC and CPE DP will be my choices, 2 upgrades are better than 1 lol!!

 

[black_ninja23]

Disregarding heatsoak problems, what kind of HP/tq gains can I expect from TMIC upgrade vs FMIC?

 

[amnestia]

disregarding heatsoak i believe the gains for both will be rather similar (fmic just a few points more), main point of a fmic is to prevent heatsoak which is the tmic's greatest problem.

 

[Bonafide_Spd3]

But with a fmic don't you get more turbo lag?

 

[arkenzo]

But with a fmic don't you get more turbo lag?

I believe so, yes. Just look at the tubing lengths and tell me there isn't a single difference in turbo lag. TMIC is effective method, but has it's draw backs. I think they should have done the hood like the WRX, that would have helped somewhat.

 

[cageyvet]

Turbo lag is virtually non-existent with the stock KO4.Why would you still want an intercooler that sits above the engine, and costs nearly $600? If your going to spend good money on an intercooler upgrade go with the optimal intercooler(fmic).

 

[SSMS3]

I can't comment on a FMIC, but I have the ETS top mount and it makes a good improvement through the entire powerband