what are the potential problems of the FMIC. Other than the install, are there problems that they are likely to cause ? The only thing that comes to mind is how FMIC' block air to the radiator. How serious is this in the long run? I dont mind the install but my speed 6 is my DD and I want it to last me at least 6-7 years. If the front mounts are risky than i guess ill stick with the top mount. Top mounts seem safe. Only problem ive seen is the 3.5 ets with firewall bangs. thats not serious though.
TMIC or FMIC
- Thread starter MicaSp33d
- Start date
Pretty much ditto with Rotus~Core was good, i had to remove the plate and file it down to remove the uneven saw marks and sharp edges, also so the plate wouldnt rub against the cores welds. I used silicone to seal the gaps and 316ss hardware to put it back together
The build quality on these may be better now, it was about 18 months ago when i purchased mine.
I think boost levels were higher due to less restrictions with TMIC and now they have dropped with FMIC due to the higher volume, (not fact just a thought).
Rough cuts before I filed them smooth
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101914
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101915
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101916
The silicone dried clear
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101999
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=102000
coyfish
The front mount sits in front of the radiator and you have to replace the power steering fluid cooler (CP-e FMIC) which is supplied as part of the kit. Air to Air intercoolers are designed for air to flow through them cooling the fins and allowing internal heat to dissipate, so even though it does sit in front of the radiator it does not block air flow, it will restrict it somewhat but not block it. If your cooling system is fine then I would predict it’ll be ok, if the cooling system is not efficient then there may be issues but that’s a whole different problem and you wouldn’t be installing an intercooler if you couldn’t keep the engine cool to begin with.
The build quality on these may be better now, it was about 18 months ago when i purchased mine.
I think boost levels were higher due to less restrictions with TMIC and now they have dropped with FMIC due to the higher volume, (not fact just a thought).
Rough cuts before I filed them smooth
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101914
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101915
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101916
The silicone dried clear
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=101999
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=102000
coyfish
The front mount sits in front of the radiator and you have to replace the power steering fluid cooler (CP-e FMIC) which is supplied as part of the kit. Air to Air intercoolers are designed for air to flow through them cooling the fins and allowing internal heat to dissipate, so even though it does sit in front of the radiator it does not block air flow, it will restrict it somewhat but not block it. If your cooling system is fine then I would predict it’ll be ok, if the cooling system is not efficient then there may be issues but that’s a whole different problem and you wouldn’t be installing an intercooler if you couldn’t keep the engine cool to begin with.
scatt nasty
Banned
- :
- 08 Metropolitan Grey Mazdaspeed 3
if you aren't that serious into modding you may as well just go with the upgraded TMIC... A FMIC is a pretty serious mod, and if your like me modding this car is like me at the ripe old age of 15 with a girl in my room: One thing leads to another. And say the mod bug does bite you, TMIC's have awesome resale so that wouldnt be a problem to upgrade. But...just think, an extra 300 bucks and you could have a nice FMIC !!! =p
I have the ETS 3.25 and i got it used. Issues I had were that when i initially mounted it, the bottom (underside) of the intercooler was touching the wiring at the top of the motor where the spark plug harnesses are and i was affraid of the intercooler got hot it would burn/melt the wiring. So I placed washers underneath the mounting brackets of the intercooler to lift it up 1/4-inch or so to get it out of touching range. BUT by doing that,. it makes it appear higher up like the 3.5 does which caused only 1 hit under the hood diutging when i got a bad case of wheelhop one day.
One other issue was the fitment of the top inlet with my boost tube, it comes in at a pretty weird angle and did not want to go in or match up as smoothly as i had hoped.
HEY where did you get that sealent strip setup? I have that same crack/gap between the plate and the core and wanted to fill the gap as well to close any air leaks to make sure the tmic gets all the air it can get. Let me know as i want to get some, and what brand?
One other issue was the fitment of the top inlet with my boost tube, it comes in at a pretty weird angle and did not want to go in or match up as smoothly as i had hoped.
HEY where did you get that sealent strip setup? I have that same crack/gap between the plate and the core and wanted to fill the gap as well to close any air leaks to make sure the tmic gets all the air it can get. Let me know as i want to get some, and what brand?
Yeah I know the FMIC is a pretty serious mod. My only real conscern is if it will affect my car in the long run. I love installing parts in my car so removing the front mount if warranty work is necessary wont be too bad. If im going to spend at least 500 bucks on an intercooler it might as well be a front mount right? You guys can see my current mods. In the near future i plan on getting a tune. After my warranty is up I will also probably install a downpipe. That will be it for my modding though. So far the front mount seems safe for the longevity of my car. My last question would be, would the FMIC make a noticable difference over the TMIC with my mods? Im not really talking about the heat soak but more of dyno runs. Thanks guys for the help guys
I got it from my favorite catalog ordering source ever, McMaster-Carr. Here's the catalog page, item number 4869A2.
i will get me some
I need to close the gaps between the core and the shroud, mine looks surprising large of gaps and not sure why. I think it should have come flush. Are we really losing much by having the gaps there? As in does it need a full seal to generate more power or are we losing anything from not having an enclosed tmic at the top.here are my gaps:
i would also like to use hi-temp paint and paint the shroud black as it looks terrible all worn out like that and I dont think black on the shroud would look that bad eh???
scatt nasty
Banned
- :
- 08 Metropolitan Grey Mazdaspeed 3
the only question is now.. When you tune in the future what method are you going to use.. Make sure you plan your mods right now around that method. For instance if you go the AP route don't go buying some rediculous mod that isnt within their specs... But again on the FMIC issue, why not just pay the extra and go fmic. You shouldn't have a problem long term wise, just more consistent boost temps lol. I am currently rocking an ETS 3.25 and it works great, the only downfall is that it is a top mount and it eventually heat soaks.
I don't know if the gaps really lose anything important, but they bugged me enough to deal with them. I did a half-assed polish job on the shroud, so the rubbing just polishes it a bit more, but it's gonna happen no matter what you finish it with. I think paint would suffer more.i will get me some
i would also like to use hi-temp paint and paint the shroud black as it looks terrible all worn out like that and I dont think black on the shroud would look that bad eh???
scatt nasty
Banned
- :
- 08 Metropolitan Grey Mazdaspeed 3
CPE is outstanding when it comes to quality... But really a fmic is a core and some bent tubing. It can be powdercoated, t clamps, all that stuff got it. But a FMIC isn't going to magically give you 50 horses, but it will keep you consistent.
So, I am planning my first mod to be an intercooler, my question is having everything else stock, should I go TMIC or FMIC, which will give me better performance.
I do a lot of traffic driving, and hate heatsoking of my stock TMIC. what do the experts say if cost was not an issue?
which will give me a better 0- 60 time? how much performance gain should I expect having everything else stock?.
Thanks in advance
I do a lot of traffic driving, and hate heatsoking of my stock TMIC. what do the experts say if cost was not an issue?
which will give me a better 0- 60 time? how much performance gain should I expect having everything else stock?.
Thanks in advance
that i went with fmic i want to be break 300 whp on stock turbo
Front mount will always yield better performance. You have to weight the pro's and cons. front mounts will take 3 hours at least to install and are 2X the price of a top mount. If 500 extra bucks / long install is worth around 5-8 hp then go for it.
