KK3960

iTrader: (21)

Can anyone tell me what realistic HP they have seen the newage STI Intercooler safely operating at and at what HP level it should be replaced at for a FMIC or alternative larger Top Mount!

Cheers

chris_c201

Alright Mate,

Not saying this is gospel but i've heard someone say 350 should be the threshold for upgrading....

I do know someone that was running 400 on one for a while but he did then upgrade to an FMIC as the car wasn't quite right although this wasn't necessarily purely because of the STi TMIC....

p1mark

My own opinion (although not everyone agrees with it) is that once you start going over 350 BHP you need a FMIC.

I put a new age STI8 TMIC on mine with the power at around 375BHP, big scoop and splitter as well, It was mapped for this spec, and i use a charge temp gauge that accurately measures temps.

TBH It was not really man enough. In average ambient temps i could do a WOT run and could see 50 degrees by the time i was in 5th gear so was looking at a 35-40 deg rise over ambient. If i did not back off it would just go up and up.

To cap it off, they split open at round about 1.5 bar and need repairing and strengthening

Put a cheap hybrid FMIC on, had it mapped, and now its got 405 BHP and temps go up maybe 15-20 deg max and thats with holding it open a lot longer than i could with the TMIC.

For me over 350 its a no brainer. a hybrid FMIC will come in at around the same price as the TMIC and the other bits you need, it works miles better, and they look superb. There is hardly any more lag with it either, 100-200 RPM is about it.

only bad thing about FMIC is the chopping required IMO.

people are running them with 400BHP, but i hope they are monitoring the chargetemps with it.

Rajaman

iTrader: (3)

I run a Hyperflow TMIC, my car is mapped at 400 BHP, and to me this was the logical way to go, as I wanted to minimise lag as much as possible, because to make this kind of power you need a massive turbo, which by nature will be laggy, hence the decision for tmic, NOT CHEAP HOWEVER, last time I looked they were around the £8-900 mark.
Hope this helps
Ray

jonny gav

iTrader: (1)

i have fitted a v8 sti top mount with my spec-

v4 sti type R

05/06 turbo at 1.45bar
740s
magnex headers
harvey up pipe
apexi power fc mapped by andy
etc....

i have also used a larger scoop for better air flow through the cooler and must say i can't get my charge temps up that high no matter what i do with it!

the most i have seen on my charge temp guage is 15deg over ambiant!

i have also fitted an nx cooler kit to combat the high charge temps i was expecting but to be honest it doesn't need it.

KK3960

iTrader: (21)

Cheers Guys yes its a dilema! Im currently running at 367 Hp hence the post! The Lag issue concerns me with the frontmount, ive been looking at the Hyperflow Top Mounts who claim that they are 19% more efficient in flow than than the STI8 TMIC!!

Ray, what torque levels are you currently at ??

WRX_Rich

iTrader: (5)

mate if lag is an issue i would say your turbo is a little on the large size

listern to Mark he knows what he is talking about

a good thread to read is 911's in project as he added a front mount from a sti 7

Im sure he didn't mention any lag

Rajaman

iTrader: (3)

Sorry , took so long to reply, Sn was playing up when I tried to get on earlier
I have got around 350 lb/ft torque.........lovely
I am currently debating whether to get my map tweaked....
You know the quest for more power is addictive...
And I am an addict...

911

IMHO:

Sti V8 is good for short blasts of 400bhp and about 1.4 bar. Heat will get the better of it eventually.(enen with atomised water spray)

A FMIC will open the time out far more to hold 400 and more with cool air.

I have noticed no change in lag (20g on a 2 litre) between TMIC/FMIC.

Only downside I find is the clutter of the pipework whan the job is done, loosing the stock airbox (which is restrictive above 350/400 ish) and the vulnerability of the FMIC core to road stones.

Costs are the same, and fitting is messier on the FMIC but no welding needed.

Hope that helps.

If you are planning to hit 400/1.5 bar then go for the FMIC now.
If you are happy (as if...) @ 350 bhp/1.4 then keep it simple and go for TMIC V7/V8 Sti.

Graham