Well, im trying to buget build my rs as best i can. So, the question is, is it worth upgrading from the stock fmic. I may try to do a back to back test on next dyno run ( if i can find someone to loan me one) but was hoping someone has already determined if the cost is or is not worth the upgrade. thanx B

 

usually FMIC this early in the game isn't worth it. you may see more consistent track runs.. but you wont see much gains. better to upgrade the FMIC when you upgrade the Turbo etc etc. but good luck! =). theres actually a thread similar to this in evo General.. i think it's titled "Will I Be ok...?" guy had his FMIC upgraded under warranty and was asking if it was bad to upgrade the FMIC without anything else. response is basically what i told you. anyways gl again

 

Hahaha, im still running a stock FMIC, 25psi 93 octane gas making 432whp

4 Wheel Slide ownage.

 

The stock intercooler should be upraded pretty much last out of mods on the stock turbo. So basically, get all other bolt-ons, cams, etc, then finally FMIC. You will see gains from it, but you should have all other necessary mods to really get the most out of it. I would get the FMIC just on looks alone. The stock FMIC on the VIIIs is so ugly is makes me want to cry.

 

A good FMIC will produce 10-15 whp on a stock turbo and is a big help in any track days.

 

+1. Won't do a FMIC first on the list but cannot hurt later down the road. I have a stock turbo with an upgraded FMIC and netted some gains.

 

I know that JohnBradley tuned a stock turbo car before and after a 4inch went in, i believe the car picked up almost 4 pounds

 

I got all these mods underneath (look @ my sig) i think it should help a bit if i get the FMIC right? I have been thinkin a lot about gettin a new FMIC. I would probably go with the ebay FMIC lol. But yeah i got my new 10.5 hotside, ported manifold and Aquamist Meth kit commin in. cant wait to get them all installed.

So what do u guys think a FMIC would kind of help me right? maybe atleast 10 WHP.

 

Next up on the mods is a bushur ported and coatd stock mani, megan 02, ported stock 8 turbo with custom 2-1/2" outlet / LICP lucas and I are going to test out . im hoping to get 400+ whp without the FMIC. i didnt want to have to spend the extra 500+ $'s if im only going to see 5 whp or so.

 

+1 at your power level you will see some gains.. more like 5-10whp...


But youre going to keep that power for longer... everytime youre beating on the car you lose power.

racing back to back to back.... youll get slower and slower everytime, maybe not noticeably but it is happening...


Cheers!

 

The biggest gains from an intercooler upgrade will be the lower and consistently low air intake temperatures to which 4WS alluded. That won't necessarily translate into immediate bolt on horsepower gains on the first cold pull, but with how quickly the stock intercooler will heatsoak, a second or third pull would see fairly decent improvement with no tuning. The same applies to street driving. Once retuned, we've seen 2-3psi more boost and 5-6 degrees more timing advance before reaching the knock threshold again on pump gas with just one of our 3" intercoolers compared to stock.

Tom

 

tom, does the anodizing (sp) of the ic have any effect on the cooling? i luv that black look.

 

On what sort of setup (turbo and boost level) and at what RPM ranges did you see those gains?

 

I think you will pick up alot more power w/ a fmic especially if you are gonna be running meth too.

 

Anodizing, unlike painting or powder coating does not at all effect the cooling properties of the core. Makes it a great option for getting the stealth look without any performance sacrifice!

This was on a stock turbo at the knock threshold for pump fuel for boost and timing. Adding the intercooler the customer was able to retune for the additional boost and timing before reaching the knock threshold again.

Tom