Intercooler facts and opinions

[tattoosoldier22]

I am going to buy a FMIC. I have been looking all over the net for one. Most of them are the kind that don't require any cutting to install. Those FMIC's are claiming a 12-15 hp increase. I like the look of the PERRIN FMIC because it covers the whole opening on the front bumber. I don't mind cutting to install the part as long as it works the way I want it to. I also like it because it looks like it is thicker. PERRIN hasn't been picking up their phone to answer my questions. I think they are at the SEMA show. I just wanted to know if their intercooler is going to give me more hp than the rest because it's dimensions are bigger. I also would like to know if it will create a bad effect on performance if I install it without doing any other mods or tweeking right away. I would also like to know if this will effect the MPG that the car gets, in a negative or positive way.
I prefer to get feed back from some one who actually has PERRIN's FMIC but I will take all comments into consideration.

 

[ChopstickHero]

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86698

 

[mspeed101]

I never noticed much of a gain when I put mine on. It does look bad ass though and has the shortest piping route out of all the intercoolers. Also all the pipes are 2.5inches and alumnium.

 

[Puckpimp71]

I noticed a very nice gain with mine.

 

[genius]

I never noticed much of a gain when I put mine on. It does look bad ass though and has the shortest piping route out of all the intercoolers. Also all the pipes are 2.5inches and alumnium.

Shortest? Not shorter than a SMIC is it? I bought the SU SMIC and its piping is a lot shorter than even the stock. As for mine, I noticed a HUGE difference, like night and day.

But you are right about one thing, the FMIC does look bad ass. I thought that I wouldn't even notice my SMIC but it is highly polished and quite frankly, can easily be spotted.

 

[StreetUnit]

The PERRIN FMIC is the best core on the market for MSP applications boosting 10+ psi, hands down. The piping route is as direct as possible with no extra piping going around the radiator or into the wheel wells. I am not sure why kits use all that extra piping, its not effeciant.
http://www.**********.com/product_p/pmp-eng-400.htm
If you are at 10psi or below, you will get more gains from a SMIC replacement.
http://www.**********.com/product_p/thsmic.htm

If you would like more info, get me on the phone. We have tried 5 cores on the MSP and can fill you in on any questions.

 

[tekkie]

I would beg to differ about the Perrin being the best intercooler hands down, I helped one of my friends install it and I was less than impressed with it, the ION and Mental Addiction kits are much better imo

why?
- Perrin piping did not fit properly, and the way the kit is designed you pretty much no play on it
- the hose clamps are crap, its those cheapy ones you would use for an intake, we broke a couple of them with little force, I am not so confident they would even hold high boost to be honest
- you have to cut your bumper which is going to cause you problems if you get in an accident
- although it has a huge core, if you look at the fins they are nowhere near as efficent because they are spaced furthur apart and they are not doubled like on the other intercoolers

personally if I had to pick one the Perrin one would be the last one I would choose out of all the current MSP ones

 

[StreetUnit]

I would beg to differ about the Perrin being the best intercooler hands down, I helped one of my friends install it and I was less than impressed with it, the ION and Mental Addiction kits are much better imo

why?
- Perrin piping did not fit properly, and the way the kit is designed you pretty much no play on it
- the hose clamps are crap, its those cheapy ones you would use for an intake, we broke a couple of them with little force, I am not so confident they would even hold high boost to be honest
- you have to cut your bumper which is going to cause you problems if you get in an accident
- although it has a huge core, if you look at the fins they are nowhere near as efficent because they are spaced furthur apart and they are not doubled like on the other intercoolers

personally if I had to pick one the Perrin one would be the last one I would choose out of all the current MSP ones

I wouldn't expect anything less from you Tekkie. Thanks for your input.

 

[ForceFed]

I wouldn't expect anything less from you Tekkie. Thanks for your input.

Dude...What is your deal...The guy asked for an opinion and tekkie gave a first hand one...You dont own Perrin so this opinion is not biased and against you...Grow up man...Seriously.

 

[jeffmsp]

IMO the begi is the best bang for the buck. Its not as pretty as some of the others but it gets the job done and is cool to the touch even boosting 14psi on the stock turbo.

 

[StreetUnit]

Dude...What is your deal...The guy asked for an opinion and tekkie gave a first hand one...You dont own Perrin so this opinion is not biased and against you...Grow up man...Seriously.

FF, Its not about the PERRIN FMIC, you and tekkie frequently jump in on some posts that I make and say the exact opposite. Here it is again. I am a person too and it is very aggrevating to have anamosity from people I do not know. I don't understand why its always against me. I am a very optimistic person and take offense to how you guys are always after me.

If I am mistakem I am sorry. I have looked and cannot find any posts from you guys that are positive towards SU or products that we carry. If you have the time, please let me know if you find posts from you or tekkie that agrees with something that I say.

I JUST DON'T GET IT. Sorry for venting.

 

[StreetUnit]

IMO the begi is the best bang for the buck. Its not as pretty as some of the others but it gets the job done and is cool to the touch even boosting 14psi on the stock turbo.

The Begi is very inexpensive. How is the quality? I would hate to see someone drop $800 into it and have it fall apart after a year. I haven't seen it on any locals to see for myself. Are the pipes steel or aluminum?

The way I see it, if you are going to spend money, do it right the first time. No matter what it is. Find what fits your application and situation and go with it. I get alot of guys that have pieces and parts and a bunch of money tied up into their car and then they find out that its not what they need to achieve the goals for the car.

 

[jeffmsp]

oh yeah i forgot the price went up i only paid $699 + shipping. the kit only comes with a turbo to IC pipe unless you upgrade. Corky found no gains replacing the IC to TB pipe but offers it as an option. The pipes are SS. I believe his reasoning for using SS was the weight savings are insignifigant and the alum didnt outperform SS enought to justify it or something. Anyway you go with a FMIC you win, but you wanna win nice ya know. as for the perrin, even if it has fitment issues its one of the bext looking FMICs Ive seen on a protege aside from MAM, but if you ask me id take the begi and the cash difference unless you are looking for well over 300HP. Also, the highboost is smaller than the others.

 

[StreetUnit]

We got no fitment issues with the Perrin. It wouldn't be on the SU site if it were a shoddy product....

 

[ChopstickHero]

i've been very happy with my Turboshoses setup. No complaints here.

 

[mspeed101]

Shortest? Not shorter than a SMIC is it? I bought the SU SMIC and its piping is a lot shorter than even the stock. As for mine, I noticed a HUGE difference, like night and day.

But you are right about one thing, the FMIC does look bad ass. I thought that I wouldn't even notice my SMIC but it is highly polished and quite frankly, can easily be spotted.

opps...what I meant to say was it has the shortest piping route out of all the fmic's!

 

[RallyeRedSi]

what the hi boost FMIC kit gets no love anymore

 

[tekkie]

what the hi boost FMIC kit gets no love anymore

I have not seen the Hiboost one but from what I have seen it looks pretty good

 

[GrandBelialKey]

what the hi boost FMIC kit gets no love anymore

I hope I don't get flamed for saying this, but: the hi-boost looks a little too small for a heavily modded car, and a little too big for a not so modded (9/10 psi or lower) car... can anyone correct this theory ? in a humane way ? thanks...

 

[mspeed101]

I would agree with its too small for a heavily modded car but I dont think its too big for a lightly modded one.