BEGi FMICQ&A with Corky

[Captain KRM P5]

Since when does HiBoost use aluminum? I've been selling his pieces for a while now...

Temperature efficiency to the intake charge is 30% or better on average than stock with the mild steel pipes on this FMIC kit. If the test results don't do much to convince you of this kit's effectiveness then I imagine not much will.

Tiran, good post, thanks for bringing up these comprehensive points.

 

[Bhamsan]

I thought the coldpipe of the Hiboost kit used aluminum? Anyways, I think eveyrone can argue steel vs aluminum, but unless you're a physicist (not just taking physics) or an engineer, you can't really prove anything, its all assumptions based on what you just assume to be common sense. I honestly don't know which is better, but I seriously doubt that it will make that much difference unless you're running at the max capabilities of these FMICs, and I seriously doubt any of you guys are. If one was really superior to the other, I doubt any companies would use inferior pipes, whether they be steel, aluminum, or McDonald's drinking straws.

 

[jeffmsp]

how would this FMIC setup compare to the hiBoost FMIC setup? Pretty much the same kind of gains?

 

[Bhamsan]

how would this FMIC setup compare to the hiBoost FMIC setup? Pretty much the same kind of gains?

My guess is yes, but I have not seen any numbers from the hiboost kit. BEGi posted a 2psi increase over stock boost and 30% efficiency over stock. I am not a rocket scientist, but those numbers look good to me. Actually, now that I think about it, I haven't seen any numbers other than from BEGi and Turbohoses for their SMIC. I could have missed it somewhere. Actually, there was a SMIC comparison thread, but that doesn't really apply here. Maybe someone should make a FMIC comparison thread?

 

[jeffmsp]

btw you guys are getting all bent out of shape over the pipe material,IMO it cant make a noticable difference, I bet you that using the stock IC-TB will yield the same results as a steel/alum(providing the psi level does not exceed the colling abilities of the IC). I havent ever heard of a IC-TB pipe making a hp difference, more for looks, and the air in the turbo-IC pipe will be cooled anyways, I think the only real performance gained is from holding boost better, which any hardpipe will give you. FYI-this is just my understanding of things from my personal experiences, i dont want to start another mini-war or anything, just posting my personal results/opinions.

 

[kazson]

Pann Auto showed some awesome gains as well, which is the kit im saving for..but eh to each his own

http://www.pannauto.com/ver02/popups_miscpages/mazdaspeed_intercoolerkit.htm

 

[Bhamsan]

I heard there was some controversy over the pannauto kit, as in the numbers were not accurate, but I am not sure, its all hearsay (which is really what the internet is about, isn't it?). I was interested in a pannauto kit, but I think I will go with BEGi because it is the cheapest and I can stil reuse my turbohoses coldpipe, but thats me.

 

[peepsalot]

Well, you do have to take into account the fact that they upped the boost just slightly for the pannauto dyno.

 

[Bhamsan]

Well, you do have to take into account the fact that they upped the boost just slightly for the pannauto dyno.

Thats what I meant.

 

[jeffmsp]

would you guys take this begi FM or the hiboost? Only thing that concerns me is the smaller IC on the Begi, but the price is right.

 

[Bhamsan]

Don't mention IC core size as being the factor which determines how good a FMIC is. I simply pointed out that the Perrin FMIC has a huge core, and got flamed big time. Basically, core size does not matter, your car isn't going to push out 400whp, so it won't really matter anyways. BEGi seems like the best deal, hands down, especially with the sale and forum discount, you can't beat $699 shipped. BEGi all the way.

 

[peepsalot]

Are there any advantages to running the begi fmic as opposed to an upgraded smic, if I never plan to go more than 10psi?

 

[jaxmsp]

Blah, Blah, Blah. Intake temp are lower when aluminum is used, as in the air going into the tb is lower you idiot. What other intake temp would we be talking about with an intercooler. Explain why it is lower when aluminum is utilized over steel.

I may well be an idiot, but at least I haven't succumbed to vendor-driven marketing hype and biased testing results (this time). There is a an aluminum-superiority groupthink going on here. People, aluminum is a heatsink. Do a little research or talk to a materials engineer iif you don't believe me.

That's my second and last post on this...buy and use what you want.

 

[Bhamsan]

Probably not. A SMIC and hardpipe combo, however, will be more expensive than any FMIC kit, minus Perrin, but will be an easy install that will take 2 hours at most. A FMIC kit is beneficial as far as cost goes, over a SMIC/Hardpipe combo, in the looks department (if you're in to that kind of thing), and if you decide later on you want to go for some big numbers, you won't need to scrap your SMIC/Hardpipe combo in favor of a FMIC kit that will support more power and give better cooling capabilities. However, the install is quite time consuming if you don't know what you're doing, and depending on where you live, you might attract the unwanted attention of the cops. Performance wise, I doubt the gains are different. Its the same as this whole dumb arguement about steel vs aluminum pipes. We can all agree the sorry excuse for a SMIC that is in the car now needs to go. How you go about doing it is really up to you.

I'll probably get flamed from offending people who either have a FMIC or SMIC, so I will say that I am not saying either one really sucks over the other. For the specific question, I feel this is the best answer I can contibute.

 

[FSDET]

will the begi be good for 350whp ?

 

[Bhamsan]

Ken?

 

[FSDET]

i find it hard to believe that the core size doesnt matter. and i do plan to put down 300-350whp within the next 2 years . i didnt make the right choice with the exhuast and got the 2.5 inch instead of 3 so i wanna get the FMIC right from the first time.

 

[Bhamsan]

i find it hard to believe that the core size doesnt matter. and i do plan to put down 300-350whp within the next 2 years . i didnt make the right choice with the exhuast and got the 2.5 inch instead of 3 so i wanna get the FMIC right from the first time.

I wrote the same exact words about a week ago regarding FMIC core size, "I find it hard to believe that the core size does not matter". Aparently it does.

 

[EvilMSP]

He didn't say the size didn't matter. he just said it was not the only factor. Having a intercooler too big will only hurt things. You want a happy medium. Not everyone needs Supra/Skyline intercoolers that are bigger than a keg lol.

 

[EvilMSP]

I think I missed this question, sure it's been answered before but I can't find it. I noticed the price of the cowdercoating and is that for just the pipes? Or is he offering to coat the entire intercooler?