SU TMIC Vs. ETS TMIC

[Funky Mo Fo]

I'm convinced there is a way to make an entire thread of acronyms.

I'm looking into an upgraded TMIC. I'm sure the AutoExe is a fantastic unit, but there is no way I'm blowing that much cash, so my options are SU and ETS. After review, there appears to be no difference between the two except cosmetics and price. Am I missing something or is SU repackaging the ETS unit with new hoses? Even the descriptions are the same!

Thoughts?

 

[MShreve]

I wouldn't recommend buying anything from SU. I've had several bad experiences.
From what I understand they have all sorts of issues with their TMIC. Read this thread from the MS3 section:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123735756

 

[cpspeed6]

So what kind of gains can be had by upgrading the TMIC?

 

[Funky Mo Fo]

The link in MShreve's post answers that.

 

[SMOKEYS36SHOP]

ok ok before you go an start downing su tmic i just have to say they just sent me a new replacement one until the new prototype comes in...and i have to say there wasent anything wrong with it..the rear hose fits a lot better than my old one..but there is still a slight kink in my rear hose...you will get the same results from the ets one...now when it comes to the tabs....i have seen first hand the reinforced tabs and i have to say there is no way in hell those things are breaking.

and funky mo fo no street unit isnt repackaging ets's tmic...they have, from what i have heard, another well known company making there tmic's...so after receiving this newer intercooler i have to say its now way better than the ets intercooler...it has a better look...same rear hose fitment and now amazing tabs holding it down.

 

[SMOKEYS36SHOP]

So what kind of gains can be had by upgrading the TMIC?

look at this for gains
http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/product_info.php?cPath=34_270&products_id=653

 

[Funky Mo Fo]

ok ok before you go an start downing su tmic i just have to say they just sent me a new replacement one until the new prototype comes in...and i have to say there wasent anything wrong with it..the rear hose fits a lot better than my old one..but there is still a slight kink in my rear hose...you will get the same results from the ets one...now when it comes to the tabs....i have seen first hand the reinforced tabs and i have to say there is no way in hell those things are breaking.

(dunno) This whole thing sounds scary. I really hope the improvements work, but I don't know if I want to chance it yet. I drive A LOT. 30k in a year and I don't always have the opportunity to look under my hood after every grueling commute. I think I'm gona let you guys guinea pig this one for a little bit longer while I AP and CBE up. I'll be watching the progress though.

 

[Willieville]

i'd buy the ETS in a heart beat if I could....though almost 600 bones I'll wait for a used one.

 

[Funky Mo Fo]

Has anyone got an update on the new SU TMIC with upgraded brackets and hose fix?

 

[SMOKEYS36SHOP]

i have been in contact with mark from su. i usually talk to him once a week on this subject. i e-mailed him last thursday and he got back to me saying the prototype hasn't arrived yet and was waiting for an update from the company that makes the intercoolers. as of right now all they can do i provide you with the new intercooler with the stronger tabs. if you want i can post pics of the new stronger tabs tomorrow when i get back to work. as of right now there is no real fix for the rear hose. i still have a slight kink with the su boost tubes right now but its now minor compared to before where i couldnt even use my tubes and was stuck using the stock hoses. regardless of which intercooler you get both from what i hear have the problem with the kink in the rear hose.

 

[Blendercloud]

I have the ETS 3.5" TMIC with stock hoses. I have no kinks. The intercooler fits perfectly. I did not go with SU because of reading countless testimonials regarding fitment issues.

I would recommend the ETS product to my friends and fellow forum members.

 

[Funky Mo Fo]

I've heard of mount breakage on the ETS as well. Maybe it isn't as frequent as with the SU, but this seems to be a regular problem with the aftermarket. Come to think of it, I haven't seen any complaints about the AutoEXE unit. Then again, at that price, they probably aren't selling many.

 

[SMOKEYS36SHOP]

blendercloud are you using aftermarket boost tubes or the stock? cause right now the stock boost tubes fit perfect..its the aftermarket ones that are creating the kink due to a thicker material. and again its a very minor one....my first intercooler had something wrong with it to begin with...the one i have now works great but still i want that small kink out so i am willing to wait for the "Prototype".

also do you think maybe the reason why your getting no kink would have anything to do with the height of the intercooler which is 3.5"? when i measured the su one i have its 3.08" ...idk if that would have anything to do with it

 

[coyfish]

The 3.25 ETS kinks the rear tube. Not sure about the 3.5 size but there is no need to go 3.5 unless you upgrade your turbo.

 

[SMOKEYS36SHOP]

I've heard of mount breakage on the ETS as well. Maybe it isn't as frequent as with the SU, but this seems to be a regular problem with the aftermarket. Come to think of it, I haven't seen any complaints about the AutoEXE unit. Then again, at that price, they probably aren't selling many.

guess you havent seen the new tabs on the su intercooler...those things aren't breaking anytime soon. the old ones you could easily bend with a pair of pliers. goodluck trying to move these new ones. tomorrow i will post a pic of them

 

[Funky Mo Fo]

I have seen the new tabs, but I'm still waiting on the new generation guinea pigs such as yourself to give it the thumbs up before I lay down the cash.

 

[Blendercloud]

blendercloud are you using aftermarket boost tubes or the stock? cause right now the stock boost tubes fit perfect..its the aftermarket ones that are creating the kink due to a thicker material. and again its a very minor one....my first intercooler had something wrong with it to begin with...the one i have now works great but still i want that small kink out so i am willing to wait for the "Prototype".

also do you think maybe the reason why your getting no kink would have anything to do with the height of the intercooler which is 3.5"? when i measured the su one i have its 3.08" ...idk if that would have anything to do with it

I'm using stock hoses and have no kinks. The thicker, silicone-based hoses do next to nothing for any sort of insulation or temperature retention. They heat up less quickly than a rubber hose, but over time (a minute or so) they will heat up to the same temperature. The only real benefit that those expensive hoses offer is that they don't dry out and crack like rubber. Some people like to believe that the rubber stretches under high amounts of boost which is not a factor. Both hoses will very slightly inflate, but like I said, it isn't a factor.

These 'rumors' get started to sell products like the AutoExe and SU tubes and they get recirculated by people trying to justify their own purchase. With that said, they do look nicer than stock rubber hoses. To each his own.

A note to everyone: These intercoolers are fabricated components. No matter who makes them, the dimensional designs will have some tolerances and each one will be slightly different than the next.

 

[SMOKEYS36SHOP]

I have seen the new tabs, but I'm still waiting on the new generation guinea pigs such as yourself to give it the thumbs up before I lay down the cash.

well to be honest i wouldn't want anyone to go through what i have been through with these intercoolers ( on the 2nd one waiting on the 3rd).. but as of right now the only good advise i can give to you is a tmic is way better than stock and everyone should do themselves a favor and get either a tmic or fmic. now su tmic isn't perfected yet so i wouldn't tell anyone to run out and get one due to the fact that they are telling people like me to wait on this new prototype...which means what they now have in stock isn't perfect. if you have the money and can't wait and must have it now... my opinion would be su due to its improved tabs and shiny look vs ets which looks more like a dull color and smaller tabs.

 

[jracer]

whats the latest about the street unit top mount ?? all problems fixed ?? you think its better than the ETS ?

 

[coyfish]

The new one is waiting arrival. The quality of the welds / finish of the SU is superior to the ETS but both will perform similarly.