Stock + Custom MSP SMIC Review

[canuck_bulldog]

I have a totally stock except for a K & N drop in filter MSP, and installed a custom MSP SMIC about 6 weeks ago. I had a Forge vent to atmosphere BOV in before I put the SMIC, but removed it after one day as it made the car undriveable( that is another story). Actually with the Forge you can drive the MSP except you always have to be conscious of stalling out, and do not expect to hear any blow off with a stock set up. Anyways back to the custom MSP SMIC. I needed this product on fairly short notice(within 1 week), and actually received it in about 5 days! Fit and finish on this product is excellent although it is not black like the stocker. It also does not have a vacuum nipple on it like the stocker(which is plugged anyways). Install is fairly straight forward with a stock set up. My mechanical skills are modest at best and I found: 1)You absolutely need a buddy to help you 2)Give yourself about 3 hours to do 3)The stock intake MUST be removed in order to install 4)RTV sealant is also a must. Otherwise it is pretty easy for anyone to do. Once installed I reset the ECU and have had absolutely no problems with it. No leaks(although I do not have a vac/boost guage), stalling or any engine codes on. I have found a nice increase in power in that I am peeling rubber quite easily in first and power does not seem to peeter out at higher revs like it did stock. The biggest improvement is there has been absolutely NO heat soaking. So overall I was very impressed with the customer service and the product and have had no regrets with this purchase, especially at its price. Why Mazda put such a crappy IC in the MSP to save a few bucks is a shame, especially next to a SRT-4.

 

[Kooldino]

what's the RTV for?

 

[protegeV]

thats cool and all, but I still cant seem to justify the price when you can have a BEGI FMIC for just a bit more...

 

[canuck_bulldog]

RTV is for putting around the plastic end pipes and the metal IC end pipes. It is just a way to keep a good seal has good thermal breakdown protection compared to many make a gasket silicone tubes. Kind of just like red glue to hold in addition your hose clamps. As far as the BEGI goes I think it is definitely the way to go for extreme power with other upgrades and also looks way cool. Although if I would have definitely chosen a different car if I wanted that kind of power. But if you can afford a BEGI, higher PSI, and a new motor with no warranty more power to you.

 

[Hypnotized]

Where can you get a Begi FMIC anyhow? Protegegarage no longer has it on their site.

I have heard nothing but good things about the custom msps smic. Why doesnt the forge work for you?

 

[protegeV]

But if you can afford a BEGI, higher PSI, and a new motor with no warranty more power to you.

the begi is hardly that much more $$$...more pwoer is easy, and the SMIC will void your warranty just as easily as any FMIC...

 

[canuck_bulldog]

Forge will stall if you shift into neutral on a stock setup from any RPM above 3000. This is just FACT. You can phone them and they will tell you the same thing. A few people out there have been lucky and have not had this problem too severe- but it is still there none the less. It is simple to understand. The MSP has a MAF and is meant for a recirculating BOV- this is also a fact. Going from higher rpms to neutral with a vent to atmoshere bov will cause a rich mixture and your check engine light will come on and/or you will stall. There are tons of post out there on band aid solutions to this problem or you can alter your driving style to go gently on your revs into neutral - reseach it yourself as there are a million posts with every BOV imagineable with every modified setup imagineable to try to make work. Just remember the car is not engineered for this. Any ways I want to keep this post about the Custom MSP SMIC.

 

[canuck_bulldog]

The Begi is at least $300-400 more shipped than a custom MSP I believe, which is almost twice as expensive(not just a bit more) Typically people that put in FMIC are going for a least 200hp and way up. The SMIC is great for better driveability. Do some research and you'll see most people with the FMIC are buying it for the stoplight 500. You will also see that most of the blown engines are from people with way fast MSP with FMIC and big boost 230hp++.

 

[protegeV]

the BEGI is like $600ish...if this SMIC is $200-$300(300-400 less like you said) then hot damn, Im ALL OVER IT

 

[canuck_bulldog]

The best BEGI price was $699 + shipping when it was first out and this was a group buy. The latest prices I have seen is $750 + tax + shippping. I am not an authority but I do not think there is any way you will get a new BEGI FMIC for ~$600. I am sure most people will agree with this

 

[CustomMSP]

I'm glad you like your SMIC. My SMICs SHOULD be able to handle ~15psi on the stock t25. Anything after that and the compressed air coming out of the turbo is already hot because of the inefficiency of the turbo at those PSI levels. Personally I haven't tested that out yet

 

[All Boost]

How much was the SMIC delivered to canada? im also in canada and would like to get a deal on one of those.

ps - i just got the forge, and it sucks to drive too. But. you should check to see what spring you have in. they sent me the yellow instead of the green, so it was opening too quickly, and im sure thats why im not getting any pssst. Plus, its good to change the upper IC pipe. i heard it runns 100x better with that mod too.