ETS TMIC really worth 20 whp? better buy than cobb ap?

bast525

Member
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'07 Mazdaspeed 3 GT
Sup all. I've been sitting on my tax refund for months now, watching the Cobb AP saga unfold and waiting to place my order. But after seeing their initial dyno results, and still seeing no indication that it will be safe to run even their base tune with my MS CAI (and no, I won't sell the MS CAI and buy a Cobb SRI), I'm starting to think, maybe that same money would be spent better elsewhere.

Now, I can't do just ANY mod... I know there are a LOT of things that you can get for around or under a grand. My requirements are that whatever mod(s) I get, can be very easily installed and uninstalled, and/or are dealer/warranty friendly (MS parts). So things l like exhaust or piggyback's that need to be spliced in, are out.

The TMIC looks like a great option though, for ~$600, especially if the 20 whp claim is true (so far I've only found the dyno on the manufacturers website, which I take with a grain of salt). The Cobb AP still looks good... but it seems it's more for people who are really going to do a lot of mods and will at some point, be able to take advantage of it's tune-ability to custom tailor things to the mods they have. I never really planned to do much more than a few basic bolt ons... so while the base tune that Cobb is providing is dissapointing, the full features of the unit may be too much for me.

So... there's my question. Is the ETS 3.25" TMIC really good for consistent 20 whp claims? Does anyone have their own personal before-and-after dyno's to back this up (and yes, I've been searching the forum for this!). And does anyone else feel my money is better spent on the TMIC than the AP?
 
I dunno if you check out the other forum cobb threads but this was posted today... stage 2 gains and a "custom" stage 2 map vs stock

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee51/PDXImportRacer/stage2_vs_stock.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee51/PDXImportRacer/sterling_vs_stock_dyno.jpg

Looks like theres a good amount of power to be had even over the conservative cobb tunes...which is good news. Either was 277whp and 325wtq is pretty serious on an AWD mustang dyno.

They also said they will begin testing on making a MS CAI map next week or this week or something.

I've been really thinking about getting a TMIC as well...but wanted to stay within the limits of the Cobb off the shelf maps, figuring that not much power was to be had out of custom maps. But now after seeing that stage 2 one. I may get a TMIC and a custom tune to take full advantage of the TMIC and TBE.

In your situation I would get the AP, but that's just me.
 
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The Extreme TurboSystem Top mounted intercoolers. Real good increase in flow on 3.25 3.50. Especially useful when combined with a freed up exhaust. More surface for air to flow past and cool. But prone to heat soak when not moving from the engine heat! As a road car, the stealth of the Topmount functions quite well and I am very pleased with mine. But if you want to drag or do stop and go driving go front mount. There is a performance increase in the upgraded cooler but not dramatic.But I feel the motor is better protected now . The engine bay is much cooler as are exhaust temps
 
I dunno if you check out the other forum cobb threads but this was posted today... stage 2 gains and a "custom" stage 2 map vs stock

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee51/PDXImportRacer/stage2_vs_stock.jpg

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee51/PDXImportRacer/sterling_vs_stock_dyno.jpg

Looks like theres a good amount of power to be had even over the conservative cobb tunes...which is good news. Either was 277whp and 325wtq is pretty serious on an AWD mustang dyno.

They also said they will begin testing on making a MS CAI map next week or this week or something.

I've been really thinking about getting a TMIC as well...but wanted to stay within the limits of the Cobb off the shelf maps, figuring that not much power was to be had out of custom maps. But now after seeing that stage 2 one. I may get a TMIC and a custom tune to take full advantage of the TMIC and TBE.

In your situation I would get the AP, but that's just me.


That was some good info/links... I had not seen that thread yet. It's nice to know there is quite a bit more potential than what we are seeing with Cobb's off-the-shelf base maps. I guess now the big thing that worries me is just how Cobb has really made a big deal out of how hard our car is to tune. So if Cobb themselves will keep their tune conservative, and I have to turn to someone else's tune... it just seems risky if you don't know that tune is coming from a shop with a really good rep and some MS3 experience under their belt.

But yeah I'm definately still just sitting on this money... still waiting for ANY proof that the ETS is really worth the 20 hp, and waiting for any more word if the Stage 1 + intake map will be safe with the MS CAI or that someone will release an MS CAI map for it. It sounds like PDX tuning (from the threads you linked those pics out of) may have an MS CAI map before Cobb themselves do!
 
I think PDXtuning is the sea level tuner/tester for Cobb, so if they make a MS CAI map they may just release that one for everyone or something, I'm not sure how it all works
 
ETS TMIC is definitely worth it...especially when the summer comes along.
You can go wrong with it... With the stock TMIC, your car will be slow and blowing hot air during the hot summer time...the upgraded TMIC will help you have more consistent power and not have such a steep drop in HP.

Like Ericrapp said, if you drag race or are a lot in stop and go, go with the FMIC...though the TMIC cools off pretty quick once you start moving...

I don't think anyone has wasted money on dynoing the TMIC since you can really feel (dyno-butt) the difference...

I'd go with the TMIC and a new BPV... The TBE will really open up the car though...not really an easy R&R.
 
Pulled the trigger on the AP but so far it's not been doing any good on my car... I will try to wait for an MS CAI map but if it's not out by the 30 days I'm returning the AP and getting the TMIC...
 
I had an ETS 3.25. I wanted to shift money toward buying another vintage motorcycle to restore and sold it to jbiird. I drove my car around for a few weeks and it wasn't the same. It was noticeably slower. I called a vender and ordered another one. I installed it, and was quite happy again.


Is it worth 20hp? I don't know. Is it worth it for the power it does put down? YES. In fact, twice for me.
 
Agreed... I will most likely return the AP (at least for now) and use that money -$100 to get the ETS.
 
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