Just wondering guys as you find hundreds of different FMIC's for sale at a variety of prices and just wanna know if there is a difference on quality or if, like clothing, u just pay for the name??

Im looking at buying an FMIC, obviously dont wanna spend a fortune, but i want something thats capable for the job in hand.

Thanks in advance.

Harry

 

scoobyclinic FMIC £650+vat fitted works well on my highly modified WRX classic which is 420+bhp

 

Can spend alot less than that and get a good kit and they are the same as the clinic

 

Autobahn 88 seems to work well, available for as little as £180 new. Seen cars running up to 350bhp with this no problem.

 

I think to be fair to the hugely expensive FMIC kits available, you do get what you pay for. However, there are loads of SNetters running cheapo Autobahn88 kits for £200-£250 which work perfectly well and the intercoolers themselves seem good quality. The pipework is pretty ropey, but it works and that's the main thing. It wouldn't be so bad if the 'name' kits were like £500 but they're not, they're a lot more.

If you don't fancy the work yourself and just want it done for you, Scoobyclinics deal doesn't seem too bad.

 

If your wanting a FMIC on a budget think twice because it will require a remap for definate afterwards which is extra cost , see my post which is still currently running i have just fitted a genuine Hybrid FMIC and have had ,lets say not the desired results I was hoping for i knew a further remap was on the cards but did not expect the power losses i am experiencing, wish i had kept the TMIC which is said to be good for up to around 350hp, unless your going for big power then my advice is dont bother, spend your money elsewhere. as big power = big money and you cannot build a budget high power car. hope this helps in your descision. Im sure many others may have other opinions but this is just from my recent experience

 

does that include the dyno setup to cos HDC dont have one, i know they are cheaper cos i phoned them before clinic to get price but they just fit them but they dont mapp the car , which is always good to reduce lag that you get from just fitting FMIC with no setup

 

just had a frount a mount fiitted to my 93 wrx by essex subaru breakers, it cost me £480 supplied and fitted, i doubt anyone can beat that price, the quality is 100% I cant fault it in anyway

 

Yes you definitely need to get it remapped once you fit the front mount. I had mine fitted for a couple of days before I went for my remap and the drive was terrible. Weird spool up, lack of response, terrible compressor surge on part throttle, the lot. Mapping takes out almost all of that and the thing absolutely flies. In fact the FMIC allowed another 4 degrees of ignition advance under full load.

 

So, is the LAG really noticable when fitting a front mount, even after a mapping session?? i`m having mine fitted in 3 weeks time and i don`t really want ALOT less responsive car...

 

I'm afraid so, no amount of mapping will completely remove that elastic feel to the loud pedal as the compressor has to keep refilling that extra pipework. Mapping will help to make the lag less of a problem, by making the power/torque curve fatter lower in the revs, due to advances in boost/ignition allowed by the now cooler charge...But response/feel will never rival that of a tmic in my experience.

Also, coolant temps will be higher due to reduced airflow to the radiator...my fans kick in as soon as the car is stationary, buts it's nothing the system can't handle.

 

Afraid you will find a re-map ABSOLUTELY necessary, Dump Valves are another problem, I'm back on a std Sti item to keep driveability, Forge Atmo + soft spring isn't a good match.

As for coolant temps, buy a good (big) FMIC and mine hasn't moved at all, even cooked for a long time, power stays strong, and coolant stays nice and cool.

Dunx

P.S. can't chase bhp on the cheap.... roll-on headers + bigger turbo and another re-map !

P.P.S. Lag is there, but if you are on the ball, just drop a gear ready and whooosh....

 

So basicaly, FMIC aren`t really required unless you`re pushing big BHP?? is this correct or am i mistaken?? excuse my lack of knowledge..

 

Bit contraversial mate! you don't need one till pushing quite high power levels: the Sti 8 TMIC will cope with 400bhp, or maybe unless you're a regular at track days.

That said, reducing charge temps is always a good thing, whatever the level of tune - a decent FMIC will be better than the best TMICs at keeping charge temps down. Fundamentally, the TMIC is in the wrong place i.e. on top of a baking hot engine!

So, you might want one at lower power levels. I do!!!

Ns04

 

Thanks Ns04...it`s all booked in with API anyway...

 

I'm a bit lost on some of these comments.

I have a hybrid FMIC fitted on my UK car.

Just after fitting on the standard Turbo (TD04) with no remap, I would notice a small amount of lag, Ie: put your foot down and about 0.2 second later you would feel the car pick up and go as per normal. This wasn't dangerous or even bothered me that much.

I then had the turbo changed to a bigger VF28 and had a remap. I now experiance next to no lag what so ever and the car just flys, I'm hitting 1 bar of boost by 3000RPM and 1.27 by 3250-3300.

With regards to coolent temps, I monitor mine with a Secs unit and notice no change what so ever, I get 86 degrees during normal motroway driving which was the same as before the FMIC, I get 86-88 on country lanes, again the same as before. My fan doesn't come on until 95 as per normal and this has to sit in traffic for a while to hit this.

I know the autobahn systems are cheap but the core isn't as good as the hybrid ones. One of the local lads had an autobahn one and regreated it, he has since change it to a Hybrid GT spec and finds it less laggy.

 

My cars in for a full engine rebuild at the moment and is being base mapped then mapped again by Bob rawl once run in.

I just see a huge variety of kits avaiable and dont wanna spend unessacery money when it could be spent elsewhere.

Been lookin at AB88, think thats the route im going to go down.

I trust you would all recommend to stay well clear of the ebayers selling them then???

 

There is a groupbuy being organised on the Hybrid at the moment £315 all in: these are proven quality kits. I'm certainly interested.

Ns04

 

Which front mount do the scooby clinic use in the £650 + vat fitted price, anyone know? i checked their site they dont name this particular one. Do you rekon the £650 + vat fitted price includes a map tweek?

 

I wouldn`t of thought map was included don`t take my word though, give them a call...

 

just tried to buzz them, no joy i suppose they are wrapping up at this time of night? i'm hoping a map tweek won't be too much as the car was previously mapped there? i'm guessing no more than £100? oh and of course an induction kit will be needed to accomadate the piping, another £100?

 

My experience in brief with an Autobahn 88 kit:
1. You definitely need a remap.
2. It works brilliantly with no noticeable lag over the TMIC once the remap was done.
3. A TMIC will handle a hell of a lot - for a short time. With my FMIC you can just keep your foot down forever and not worry about it, charge temps will always be under control.
4. Compressor surge has been a problem with my big bore inlet pipe and FMIC. On the TMIC it wasn't a problem. I am expecting to get rid of it by going back to a standard inlet pipe.

On balance, an FMIC nowadays is too cheap to ignore.

 

so autobahn88 (or similar) or Hybrid GT bearing in mind im lookin at 350BHP with ALL supporting mods required and am on quite a tight budget now because i had done more damage to my bottom end than previously thought.

Once done the car will be base mapped to be run in then remapped again, both by Bob Rawl.

Thanks