TMIC- is it worth it?

[UHATEIT]

an upgraded PG reworked turbo to push more air into an already restrictive bad tmic.... probably wont yeild those 30whp gains you're talking about. Rushing more air into something that can't fully expell the air you're already pushing seems pointless.

I would suggest the upgraded ets or su tmic to allow the airflow BETTER before you start trying to push more air through with a better turbo. At least that seems logical to me. Get the turbo after putting on the better tmic.

I bought a used ETS for $350, works freakin badass and noticed a great deal of difference

 

[skeeter149]

i got my ets powdercaoted the shroud and would do it all over again in a heartbeat great mod.

 

[coyfish]

I would get a TMIC unless your not worried about warranty issues or have the 6-8 hours it take to install / remove it. Or if you plan on going to the strip often.

I live in florida and its been pretty hot recently. The upgraded TMIC cools so fast and takes longer to heat soak. If your in stop and go traffic or sitting in blasting sun at 2 minute red lights than you might heat soak a little. Once you move for 10-15 seconds your completely cool again.

TMIC's keep their value pretty well so you could always replace it with a FMIC down the road. At maximum efficiency a TMIC / FMIC will perform very similarly. Some FMIC's will give you a little extra turbo lag.

 

[18psiWhiteMS3]

i got my ets powdercaoted the shroud and would do it all over again in a heartbeat great mod.

i bet u if u had bought the FMIC you would be saying the same thing

 

[RuZec]

if I were to get a TMIC would I have to get it tuned?

 

[djza2u1]

That is why i was looking at one because the AP has a STAGE 2+ TMIC map

 

[Circle9]

if I were to get a TMIC would I have to get it tuned?

No tune is needed, but I imagine it would give you some more gains.

 

[PaPaSpeed]

if I were to get a TMIC would I have to get it tuned?

I didn't have mine tuned after the install, the car seems to be just fine. I love it so far.

 

[AllLostThings]

I've wanted one for quite a while now and it's still the next power mod I plan to get. It's 100% worth it no matter what you plan to do.

 

[leadf00t]

Ok, I am confused about this claimed 30whp increase from a reworked turbo. Is the boost increased after the rework ? A rework with a new tmic seems more likely to net 30 whp then just a reworked turbo, but maybe I'm wrong.

 

[blackdragon0731]

i dont think its worth it cause u already have a tmic. for 3-400 bucks more your getting the best possible cooling solution

+1

Seriously, go the extra mile and get the FMIC, if you're so worried about cutting up your hands, hire someone to do it, but cutting your hands is part of the job, when you're done and you have a new FMIC staring you in the face when you look at your baby, you look at your hands and you think it's a job well worth it.

No matter how you look at it, FMIC gains are better, even if minimal, especially with heat soak being so much less of a problem, cooler denser air flowing through that thing, its a good deal IMO.

 

[Trader]

+1

Seriously, go the extra mile and get the FMIC, if you're so worried about cutting up your hands, hire someone to do it, but cutting your hands is part of the job, when you're done and you have a new FMIC staring you in the face when you look at your baby, you look at your hands and you think it's a job well worth it.

No matter how you look at it, FMIC gains are better, even if minimal, especially with heat soak being so much less of a problem, cooler denser air flowing through that thing, its a good deal IMO.

In some cases I think having the TMIC is better. Yes it will heat soak during hot weather but it will have less pressure drop than a FMIC.

The TMIC dimensions:
14x12x3.25 (charge air dimension = 12x3.25 = 39 sq in)


FMIC dimensions
say CPE = 20x6x3 (charge air dimensions = 6x3 = 18 sq in)
say corksport = 24x6x3.6 (charge air dimension = 6 x 3.6 = 21.6 sq in)
say Cobb FMIC = 24x3.5x7.9 (charge air dimension = 7.9 x 3.5 = 27.65 sq in)

So the charged air has less restriction with the larger 39 sq in core charged air inlet any of the FMICs.
41% increase over COBB FMIC
81% increase over corksport
117% increase over CPE

Also you do not have all the piping that would cause further pressure drop and lag.

So if you live in Miami, I would definately do the FMIC because heat soak will be a concern all year around. If you live in the North East like me where it will be a problem only 2 to 3 months a year, the FMIC will only out perform in those months but the rest of the year I would take the TMIC with the less pressure drop and lag.

 

[coyfish]

For many people (including myself) the reason to get a TMIC is not because its cheaper, but because its easier. If you show up to the dealer with a FMIC thats bad news. And if you replace it with the stock IC, thats at least a 5 hour job (removing / replacing). At maximum efficiency both TMIC / FMIC perform nearly the same. The only issue is heatsoak which really only comes into effect when your waiting in line at the track. Sometimes it happens in stop and go traffic but why would you need to go full boost when your in traffic anyway ????

If you dont care about warranty or take it to the track often than go for the FMIC.

Other than that I see no reason to get a FMIC over a TMIC unless you have the money/time to invest.

 

[dkswim]

hell tmic and track work real well together bag of ice on the IC hood open

 

[blackdragon0731]

In some cases I think having the TMIC is better. Yes it will heat soak during hot weather but it will have less pressure drop than a FMIC.

The TMIC dimensions:
14x12x3.25 (charge air dimension = 12x3.25 = 39 sq in)


FMIC dimensions
say CPE = 20x6x3 (charge air dimensions = 6x3 = 18 sq in)
say corksport = 24x6x3.6 (charge air dimension = 6 x 3.6 = 21.6 sq in)
say Cobb FMIC = 24x3.5x7.9 (charge air dimension = 7.9 x 3.5 = 27.65 sq in)

So the charged air has less restriction with the larger 39 sq in core charged air inlet any of the FMICs.
41% increase over COBB FMIC
81% increase over corksport
117% increase over CPE

Also you do not have all the piping that would cause further pressure drop and lag.

So if you live in Miami, I would definately do the FMIC because heat soak will be a concern all year around. If you live in the North East like me where it will be a problem only 2 to 3 months a year, the FMIC will only out perform in those months but the rest of the year I would take the TMIC with the less pressure drop and lag.

If you drive a car with a TMIC and a car with an FMIC the lag is almost impercievable, the COBB FMIC also affords next to no pressure drop as well, they've really engineered the crap out of that thing.

I have nothing against the TMIC, I mean hell, look at WRX STi's, they've got a serious TMIC under that hood.

And as far as dealerships go, they can't void anything warranty wise for you putting an FMIC in your car, they just won't cover the IC under warranty anymore. Legally they can't void your entire warranty for one part, they just won't cover that part anymore. It's not a big deal as far as I'm concerned.

Either way, you get a performance gain, but I just like the idea of the FMIC better. Cooler denser air, the large pipes with the COBB allow the flow of air to remain pretty much unhindered, providing a very small pressure drop.

But either way, it's your choice.

 

[CHICO2003]

everything I know about warranty work goes against what you said above. But hey! One can dream! As for this TMIC vs FMIC debate...

Obviously a FMIC is going to be 'better'. Just like converting our cars into RWD cars would be 'better'... or somehow installing a V12 engine into the rear hatch. lol Obviously this is absurd but... my point is, there has to be a line drawn somewhere. Honestly.. how many of us really NEED even an upgraded IC let an FMIC? Maybe I'm wrong but.. I feel most of the guys that get these are mainly in it for the looks. To me... that's lame. (even though it does look pretty cool! lol)

But when you break it down... min $1000 for the FMIC and another $200-300 for an install (this isn't something most can install) suddenly looking at a difference of about $650 over an upgraded TMIC (since those can be installed rather easily) To me.... that's pretty significant.

 

[Circle9]

I think that an aftermarket TMIC is a very important modification to do. I personally am not getting one for the looks, I'm getting it for the power gain. The dyno proven gains from a TMIC are very good, 20 whp/20lb-ft on a stock motor.

 

[CHICO2003]

I said the difference between the two was about $650

 

[Circle9]

Oops, need to have my morning cup 'o coffee before reading posts and making comments!

I just don't see how its really worth the extra $400 - $600 for an FMIC, I'd just as soon get a AP or DP with the money I'd save by going TMIC. I think the only good reason to go with a FMIC is if you're planning on a more serious build, bigger turbo, forged internals, EMS, etc.

 

[SMOKEYS36SHOP]

just ordered my su tmic yesterday and should be here friday. i deff think its an important upgrade to do. i am holding off on installing it until i place another order on the 17 of april for my turbo inlet so i can install both of them at once. i cant wait!