Intercooler upgrade...what offers the best balance?

Put into consideration that a TMIC costs $400-$500 less than a FMIC. Use the extra $$ for a DP or tune.
 
Walking into this and deciding to vomit text anyway, is this possibly a case where an upgraded TMIC is a HUGE improvement, and a FMIC is an AWESOME improvement? I want to upgrade this summer (HOT in Louisiana), and aim to prevent heat soak, but I'm not autocrossing or drag racing, just tearing it up around town. Would I *need* a FMIC, or would a great TMIC provide significant improvements for quite a bit less money and install trouble? Bear in mind I'm in bed with the bank, and might have to get it off in a hurry if I need warrant service.

And does anybody have links to that TRZ TMIC? I'm becoming a TRZ poster child...
 
Maybe a little off-topic, but looks like there have been some fitment issues with the ETS, has anyone had problems with the SU TMIC?
 
Abilor said:
Walking into this and deciding to vomit text anyway, is this possibly a case where an upgraded TMIC is a HUGE improvement, and a FMIC is an AWESOME improvement? I want to upgrade this summer (HOT in Louisiana), and aim to prevent heat soak, but I'm not autocrossing or drag racing, just tearing it up around town. Would I *need* a FMIC, or would a great TMIC provide significant improvements for quite a bit less money and install trouble? Bear in mind I'm in bed with the bank, and might have to get it off in a hurry if I need warrant service.

And does anybody have links to that TRZ TMIC? I'm becoming a TRZ poster child...
Click to expand...

Considering you just want some improvement and nothing too extreme...I'd say topmount
 
Circle9 said:
Maybe a little off-topic, but looks like there have been some fitment issues with the ETS, has anyone had problems with the SU TMIC?
Click to expand...

The only issues with the ETS were with the 3.5" unit, you just need a rear motor mount and it will not hit the firewall. The engine was just moving too much. My 3" is just fine with the stock motor mount.
 
that was my fear about the fmic. the turbo lag i heard it sucks. im not looking to push 500+hp you know i just want some power gain is it still worth getting the fmic
 
Well, one thing you might also want to think about is how terrible a bit of turbo lag actually would be on a powerful FWD car. A bit of lag would help spread out the power a little instead of having a giant spike. Just a thought.
 
My reasons for not going front mount:

- better cooling for the radiator and other cooling components (heat is an issue for our engines)
- don't have to worry about a fender bender breaking one
- Easy to swap in and out

A well designed FMIC won't have much more lag than a top mount, so that's not really an issue. And lag isn't the same as boost threshold anyway, so even if it did; that wouldn't mean initial spool would take longer.

No heatsoak and more powar was tempting though!
 
Abilor said:
Walking into this and deciding to vomit text anyway, is this possibly a case where an upgraded TMIC is a HUGE improvement, and a FMIC is an AWESOME improvement? I want to upgrade this summer (HOT in Louisiana), and aim to prevent heat soak, but I'm not autocrossing or drag racing, just tearing it up around town. Would I *need* a FMIC, or would a great TMIC provide significant improvements for quite a bit less money and install trouble?
Click to expand...

...and we have a winner.
Not mentioned often, but one of the two huge advantages of a TMIC is easy, undetectable reversability.
From everything I have read, I am of the opinion that an FMIC has advantages for people who sit still with their cars running (drag racers) and those doing significant modding that actually need the extra cooling capacity. The average modder who just wants a little extra oomph and isn't going crazy with mods should be fine with a TMIC and love the gains from the improved flow capacity. Don't forget that an engine is an air pump. The easier it is to get air in and out, the more efficient it is and the more power it makes. The stock TMIC is restrictive. Put in a better flowing unit and you just pulled a major bottleneck out. Go with an FMIC and you get the additional advantage of seriously enhanced cooling if you need it. Not to say that an aftermarket TMIC won't improve cooling, but I think the removal of the restrictive stock unit is the biggest improvement source.
 
TMIC is the way to go if you are looking for balance...hp, ease of install, price, etc...the winner is TMIC...end of story...the only con I can think of is heat soak...but that might not be too much of a concern for the OP...if balance is key, go TMIC from SU or ETS

heck, I would try to pick one up for used and maybe save yourself some $$$...now that would be great deal!
 
blackdragon0731 said:
I would never consider upgrading the stock unit with another TMIC. Regardless of improvement youre still going to get some serious heat soak.

If you believe that pressure drops are as bad as people make them out to be, then you need to think again. Turbo lag seems to be a big issue with FMIC's with you guys as well. Although there is minor turbo lag in an FMIC over and TMIC, its imperceivable. As far as pressure drops go, getting a really nice FMIC (such as a COBB) will afford you the lowest possible pressure drop.

Why upgrade a TMIC with another TMIC? Regardless of initial cooling improvement, you're still going to get a lot of heat-soak under the hood. Why not just go with an FMIC? You have to take into consideration the efficiency of your intercooler. Sure you can go with another TMIC, you'll gain a bit of power and efficiency, or you can just upgrade it to an FMIC. Sitting up front obviously bring in the coldest, most dense air. With it sitting up front, you'll lose hardly any efficiency.
Click to expand...

QFT. If you have the money.. FMIC ftw.
 
gr3y said:
QFT. If you have the money.. FMIC ftw.
Click to expand...

For most people the money isnt the problem. If your paying 600 bucks for a new TMIC you can hold off a little longer to save up for a FMIC. The issue at least for me was time. I love installing things on my car but installing a FMIC (the first couple times) takes at least 5 hours. God forbid something goes wrong in your car down the road and you need to take a dealer visit. There goes an entire day of installing stuff.

I say, if you have the TIME, then definately go for a FMIC. I live in FL and I have the SU TMIC. TMIC's are succeptible to heat soak but people who have not upgraded their top mounts shouldn't really speak for them. The difference is night and day (keep in mind I felt no change in power when I installed my test pipe / CAI). Its not like as soon as you stop BAM !! heat soaked. It has to be very sunny / relatively hot with you sitting for a couple minutes or stop and go traffic. Its not like your going anywhere in stop and go anyway . . . And lights are rarely over a 2 minute wait. Not to mention the IC cools much faster than stock.

That being said if you have the time, or warranty is no worry for you, than go for a FMIC. If not than TMIC is your best option hands down.
 
I don't have an upgraded intercooler, but when I do get one, it will be a TMIC. It's half the price and you can install it yourself, that saves a couple hundred bucks right there. Only question is which to get. ETS or SU? has anyone even bothered with autoexe?
 
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