iON or spool

which do you guys prefer? at the moment I am leaning towards iON (a big part of that is the amazing response time and the way they work with the customer)...
 
I am going to be totally honest here since you asked for opinions...

They both seem to have some decent products. I don't like the fact that iON has an empty website (even though it's been "coming soon" since I joined). Actually, both of them could stand to be more like Apex or Corksport. I do like that both of them regularly browse the boards to answer ?s though. I have heard many people talk about how Spool's service is amazing...I'm sure iON's is good too, I just haven't heard enough feedback to know. I know Spool had a problem with their rear springs & slug420 is getting rid of his. I don't like the way that a majority of the MSP community now thinks that a FMIC is a good 1st mod because of promotion from Spool & iON. I also don't like the small cores these kits feature & the big price tags that come with them. I think it would be a big help if they included dyno results with all of their products.

I am very pleased to see that they are both continuing to develop new products. I'm very interested to see the results of the fuel computer doodad that Spool announced a while back. I also just saw the iON downpipe & I think it's good that they produce it with a hi-temp coating. After reading through slug's thread, iON's springs are currently my top choices (unless I read correctly that I will have to get new shocks).

I have shyed away from both Spool & iON for several reasons...
  • I want a SRI & they both sell only CAIs
  • I think their FMIC cores are too small & too expensive
  • when I get hard pipes, I want them to be mandrel bent instead of welded together
  • I think $1000 is too much for a turbo-back

Don't get me wrong though, I still think they are both good companies run by some good people (who I haven't had the chance to meet as many others have). I'm glad that they are here to pave the way for other companies to follow in the MPS modding scene. Bottom line, I think they're both good.
 
Black Majik MSP - just wanted to correct/give you more info.

(1) Our MSP springs are well matched with the stock MSP or MP3 shocks. It'd be nice to run some adjustable Tokico's to fine tune the suspension further.

(2) Our CAI can be easily converted into a SRI. So those who do buy the CAI can easily change over when it's the rain season or winter, and vice versa.

(3) Our core for the stage 1 FMIC is 24"L x 6"H x 3.5"W this is the largest to fit under the front bumper without any modification to the bumper beam, thus rendering our kit the largest DOT compliant FMIC upgrade.
If you're looking for something even larger, then you'd have to step up to our stage 2 set-up which uses a larger core. This however doesn't provide you with the same protect as you would having a stock bumper beam hence non DOT compliant.

We've designed our components to be as upgradable as possible, so the only difference is the core & endtanks between the stage 1 & 2

(4) Our piping is all made of Stainless Steel Mandrels. The specific radius that we use as well as changing diameter requires that they are welded together, as they are impossible to use a mandrel die with. The welds are all micro TIG welds using SS wire, which are then sanded down so that there's no real evidence of welding at all. Each pipe is also bead rolled on both ends to provide positive seals.

(5) The cost of our stage 1 FMIC is relatively low in comparison to the quality and performance you get. We use silicone/nomex hoses, Stainless T-bolts, stainless piping, aluminum end tanks. Each FMIC kit takes quite a bit of labor as well in addition to our various QC testing stages that it must pass. You get what you pay for.

(6) $1000-$1200 is cheap for a true turbo-back. You'll soon understand why when those who will have our system will show you just how intricate the 1 piece down-pipe is. In engineering time alone, is in excess of 150hrs, this is not including the actual construction of prototyping, R&D etc. Talented P.Eng's and MSc's in Engineering don't come cheap ;)

(7) We've been going through several template options for our webpage. All the information for each individual component is immense. This is why it takes awhile.

Hope this served to clear up some points for you.
 
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I wont fan any flames here i hope. I am just going to add a few things.
Spool and Ion are both very good companys. Which leaves room only for improvement and more competition that should be healthy.
My company works with Wagner Motorsports. They have some truely great products. If you contact him on the website wagnermotorsports.net
He will get back to you very soon.
The reason i post this is i know he will have a great turbo back and the largest FMIC intercooler option that will be well within your price range. I sell them to others so i know.
I dont want to get into to much specifics but give him a ring. He will help with everything you need and give some really good pricing on top of that.
If you have any questions feel free to PM me and i can help you with contacting and info.
He also will have very shortly some great options for EMS we are working on to excell this community.
Regards Nick
 
about inftaled prices.....its a simple fact there isnt much out there to compete over the msp.....why lower prices if there is only a few other compaies that even offer it??? comin from nissans we could get a greddy or apexi ic setup (ic, hard pipes, couplings) for 800-900 with a mssaive ic....but there was alot of competion amoung tuners for the 240sx market, same with the hondas....until there is more competion....ull see the infalted prices...simple busniess
 
I have been dealing with spool and nothing but good things have come out of it.. ION's results from the intercooler in the turbo magazine were no comparison to the results of spool's... So i would definetley go with spool.. Terry is very helpful and cooperative.. I have the CAI from spool and the cat back and have no complaints... Spool definetely has there act together i fully recommend there products..
 
BEN - something you may want to note is that the results were from the FMIC alone. Not the FMIC + CAI like Spool's runs (IIRC) [reference -> http://spool-turbo.com/dynomsp.html ].
Another thing to note is that the testing done by Turbo Magazine is purely independant. Results were directly yielded from their own Project MSP which is also the baseline vehicle. Turbo Magazine used the lowest pre and post FMIC#'s were used as the "gain" whereas Spool used the lowest pre and highest post runs.

Hence if you actually took the lowest runs and compared them, there'd only be a 18.2whp gain with the Spool CAI + FMIC set-up.
If there's someone willing to independantly tests our FMIC in a shoot-out, we'd gladly provided it :)

During the R&D and testing on our own dyno, we yielded the same trend and similar results.
 
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why shouldnt it be??? the stock ic is dooky.....and a fmic is alot safer then turnin the boost up...no fc trouble, and allows a much better upgrade down the road... fmic/dp/exhast/intake should all be done before turnin the boost up in my opinion.....its funny cus while everyone is thinin the fmic is the best first mod the same can be said about the cai.....which i will advocate til i die, is completely worthless on a turbo car....at least upgrading to a fmic will net constant gain as u upgrade ur car.....i would luv to see what a msp with more boost and a sri vs. a similar boosted msp with a cai would net?!?!?1
 
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fkmitsu - The FMIC kit shipped to you in FL. is $985US for payment via MO.

MP3skaterNC - a FMIC can be thought of "preventative medicine" for the MSP. You gain power without cranking up the boost, as well, you won't have heat soak anymore.
 
FMIC should be either no.1 or no.2 on the mod list. The reason i say one or two is some may look at it with a performance outlook or an efficiency take.
If performance is first and heatsoak is second then EXHAUST from the turbo BACK is no.1. FMIC and piping is no.2.
If anyone needs any clarification as to why please ask and im sure either ION or myself can help answer those questions for you.
 
Leonardo - We recommend doing the FMIC as the first upgrade. Heat promotes the instances of knocking. The less heat the charge going into the throttle body is, the more knock resistant you'll be. As well, your car will be more consistent in performance because heat soak will not occur anymore. Doing the FMIC increases the margin of safety, and thus, you're setting yourself up for running higher boost levels safely.
 
I would have to pick Spool for the simple reason because when I had my MP3 I trusted him w/ car and the turbo kit. Nothin but good quality parts come off Terry's hands, not to mention the customer care hands down!!! Right now MP3SkaterNC has my turbo kit, to my knowledge it still runs perfect! I now have an SRT-4 and we are thinking of upgrading it, making it part of the SPOOL family!

SPOOL I.T.S. ALL THE WAY!!
 

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