Is it me or does the VIII's bumper cover seem to have a larger front opening for the IC, than the IX? I love the looks of the IX, and the claimed aero bennefit, but I am concerned with its physical opening for the FMIC to recieve air flow...your thoughts?
(My VIII has upgraded FM, and IX is has stock FM)

 

You're right, the VIII has a bigger opening.

 

I guess I am torn! I love the looks of the IX cover, but I know I will want a X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV....etc when does it end....I guess the evolution based on numeral will never end. Looks or air flow for cooling?

 

IX is more efficient according to Mitsu. Something to do with the holes on the bumper and new design that sticks more air to places on the FMIC where it counts.

 

I think an opening that is at least 2" wider maybe more would place air more dirrectly on the FM than holes routing the air, but I think mitsu tests that I have seen have been more based on aero and down force than actual cooling. I think if you add a common upgraded larger FMIC some of the cooling surface would be covered by the IX plastic cover. jm2cents

 

The small fog light looking holes are actually ducts for brake cooling vents on th jdm models ,any one who trys to stick foglight in ther wil most likly end up with a torched bumper cover,also what happened to the restyled rear bumper,,did the us get cheated again?

 

I think if you want the IX look the Gialla is the way to go for the best of both worlds.

 

Quote:

Outside, a new front bumper fights aerodynamic lift with an available chin spoiler that increases the low-pressure zone under the nose. Two oval nostrils in the bumper help the intercooler by ramming fresh air around its input and output pipes.

End quote.

There is a bit more to cooling than just surface area on the front of the FMIC. For example the way the air exits after going through the fins is a factor. How much of the surface area towards the left of the FMIC is cooled prior to hitting the main surface area of the FMIC is another factor. All of which have been addressed in the IX front clip design which is an improvement over the VIII but I doubt its measurable until your maxing out the performance of the stock FMIC with mods.

 

I agree with this theory, but what happens as in my case when you have already upgraded the FM and the inlet/exit pipe are positioned out side of these little holes? I think this theory as you stated is for the stock FM.

 

Thats for stock. Once you replace the FMIC your on your own.

 

Thanks. Yeah, I agree, here are my conclusions:
-Stock for stock, IX better for cooling, aero, and downforce.
-Upgraded FMIC, IX better for aero, downforce, but VIII better for cooling.

 

This "problem" kept me from considering replacing mine with the IX cover...

 

are you guys sure the IX has the same intercooler as the VIII? What if it has a bigger intercooler and the opening looks small because of it?

 

Good point, I think we need to measure the bumper openings with a tape measure for good measure.