The Top DSM Community on the Web

For 1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser, and Galant VR-4 Owners. Log in to remove most ads.

Please Support ExtremePSI
Please Support ExtremePSI

Need help with a FMIC setup

This site may earn a commission from merchant
affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

jinscho

Proven Member
636
321
Jun 16, 2017
Bangor, Pennsylvania
Let's get this out of the way: Budget is key here and I prefer to buy from MAPerformance as their partnership with Affirm financing is allowing me to stretch the aforementioned budget as far as possible while I let the credit cards recover from the engine build...

With that said, I'm working on converting my 99 Spyder GS to a GS-T. The remaining parts needed to complete my 7-bolt build will be in this week, however I still have not even begun to look at intercoolers in a serious manner until now. Unfortunately, MAP doesn't have any full 'kits' available, so this newb is going to have to piece together a kit and I'm enlisting the help of the seasoned vets on here to help me out a bit.

Ideally, I'd like to keep my OEM fogs and the turbo I'll be running is an MHI Evo III 16g with 10-12 lbs of boost, more once I can afford to pick up Link.

If you were in my shoes, which of these (or any other on the MAP site for $400 or under) would you choose and why?

https://www.maperformance.com/colle...intercooler-r-line-mmint-u?variant=7525474883

https://www.maperformance.com/colle...nents/products/treadstone-3-5-intercooler-tr6

https://www.maperformance.com/colle...roducts/mishimoto-intercooler-m-line-mmint-um

https://www.maperformance.com/colle...roducts/ets-7-street-intercooler-95-99-2g-dsm

https://www.maperformance.com/colle...ishimoto-intercooler-z-line-aluminum-mmint-uz

Thanks in advance!
 
If on a shoe-string budget, search the classifieds for a used kit. At $400, you could grab one that also includes piping. You will also know how it will fit.
 
I'd get the punishment racing kit, and then replace the core with a treadstone or ETS later.

The punishment racing core will be more than enough for a 16g.
 
If on a shoe-string budget, search the classifieds for a used kit. At $400, you could grab one that also includes piping. You will also know how it will fit.

I'd get the punishment racing kit, and then replace the core with a treadstone or ETS later.

The punishment racing core will be more than enough for a 16g.

Believe me, I've thought of both of these already. However, neither are viable options at this exact moment.

The shoestring budget was used up putting together my 4G63 7-bolt that I'm building for the car.

I ran out of the aforementioned budget before even thinking about an intercooler setup, and that's when I came across MAP's partnership with Affirm financing. The financing option is the only thing allowing that budget to be stretched, hence why every link I asked about above are from MAP's site.
 
Find an OEM SMIC setup w/ piping until you can afford to get what you want. Keep the pressure under 15 psi. No better budget setup.
 
Financing go fast parts isn't the best idea ever. But whatever.

Get the treadstone or the ets. Core density matters, mishimoto is just premium ebay parts. Maybe better fitment, less chance of shoddy welds and and warped flanges. But you are still paying 2x as much or more for ebay intercooler/radiator cores. Sure they will work with 90% of builds, but if it was me, I'd just buy the cx racing or godspeed or whatever ebay brand that is made in the same factory, with the same machines, using the same material as the Mishimoto stuff for way less. Or step up to a good product. No reason to buy the middle product.
 
Financing go fast parts isn't the best idea ever. But whatever.

I agree, not the best idea, but only one I've got at the moment with 3 kids and bills to pay. It can be hard to spend $500-$600 in one shot on what my wife already sees as a money pit, whereas $40-$50 a month for 12 months is easy to swing.

Get the treadstone or the ets. Core density matters, mishimoto is just premium ebay parts. Maybe better fitment, less chance of shoddy welds and and warped flanges. But you are still paying 2x as much or more for ebay intercooler/radiator cores. Sure they will work with 90% of builds, but if it was me, I'd just buy the cx racing or godspeed or whatever ebay brand that is made in the same factory, with the same machines, using the same material as the Mishimoto stuff for way less. Or step up to a good product. No reason to buy the middle product.

This is they type of feedback I was looking for, Mishimoto is a name I see quite often (mostly with aluminum rads though), however I wasn't aware of the 'premium ebay parts' aspect. I'm not as familiar with Treadstone, however the price tag is much friendlier than the ETS. Now the big question, would the Treadstone allow me to keep the OEM fogs?

Good. Fast. Cheap. Pick two.

Good, Cheap. I'm going from a 4G64 to a 4G63t, that covers the 'fast' category well enough for me already. Not looking to build a track car, just need a functional intercooler setup.

Find an OEM SMIC setup w/ piping until you can afford to get what you want. Keep the pressure under 15 psi. No better budget setup.

Maybe a stupid question, but can you run the OEM SMIC and piping with a J-Pipe?
 
I agree, not the best idea, but only one I've got at the moment with 3 kids and bills to pay. It can be hard to spend $500-$600 in one shot on what my wife already sees as a money pit, whereas $40-$50 a month for 12 months is easy to swing.



This is they type of feedback I was looking for, Mishimoto is a name I see quite often (mostly with aluminum rads though), however I wasn't aware of the 'premium ebay parts' aspect. I'm not as familiar with Treadstone, however the price tag is much friendlier than the ETS. Now the big question, would the Treadstone allow me to keep the OEM fogs?



Good, Cheap. I'm going from a 4G64 to a 4G63t, that covers the 'fast' category well enough for me already. Not looking to build a track car, just need a functional intercooler setup.



Maybe a stupid question, but can you run the OEM SMIC and piping with a J-Pipe?
Fast can also mean you have to wait. You want good but you want cheap. It wont come fast
 
Believe me, I've thought of both of these already. However, neither are viable options at this exact moment.

The shoestring budget was used up putting together my 4G63 7-bolt that I'm building for the car.

I ran out of the aforementioned budget before even thinking about an intercooler setup, and that's when I came across MAP's partnership with Affirm financing. The financing option is the only thing allowing that budget to be stretched, hence why every link I asked about above are from MAP's site.

Just stop right there. You're losing. These cars are just a game. Period. Abandon your build, sell the go fast parts and get a junkyard 4g64 and get the car back on the road.

It's a car, or it's a project. It's a 20 year old unreliable and extremely technical engine.

If you are financing something it needs to be a Honda Civic for your family. End of discussion, child comes first.
 
I’d go with a big Godspeed/punishment/cx racing FMIC as stated above. You’ll have a nice front mount with room to grow. I used to run a Godspeed on my old 20g set up. 22+ psi with no issues at all. Can’t beat that for around 100 bucks.
 
Just stop right there. You're losing. These cars are just a game. Period. Abandon your build, sell the go fast parts and get a junkyard 4g64 and get the car back on the road.

It's a car, or it's a project. It's a 20 year old unreliable and extremely technical engine.

If you are financing something it needs to be a Honda Civic for your family. End of discussion, child comes first.

Financing a GMC Acadia and have an F150 already, family cars are covered and kids get everything they need before the car gets anything. This is why spending $500+ in one shot isn't viable as the large sums of money go towards putting a roof over there heads and keeping their dreams and aspiriations alive. Believe me, priorities are straight here.

Also, the 4G64 in the car is perfectly fine. It has 200k+ on the clock and burns oil, but otherwise is mechanically sound. I actually plan on selling the long block once it's out and the swap is complete.

I daily the car, which is why when I decided to go down this path in converting the car, I found a 4G63 long block for cheap that I could take my time rebuilding and make it right. Most of the parts used in that rebuild were purchased one at a time and slowly accumulated over the past 5-6 months. The only thing I didn't plan for or think about was the intercooler setup as that's going to be pricier than the entire rest of the build so far. I know, my fault for not thinking that far ahead.
 
If the car is still running fine, instead of financing, put $40-50 away each paycheck for the next couple months. Should be easy to do, no financing needed, and you can buy a decent core outright.
I just get the feeling you are itching to buy something that may not even get installed for a couple months anyway.
Find other places to save some bux: morning coffee? Home brew vs Starbucks etc. Beer after work? Skip the 6 pack. Watch TV or use alot of electronics in the evening? Have a book week or tech ban month to cut the electric bill down.

Financing an intercooler seems silly to me, pinch pennies and save up for it.
 
Could go on the Ramen car build diet.

In all seriousness, the OEM SMIC would fit just fine to run even with a 16g-style setup. The 1g DSM had it routed this way. The piping will run straight down from the j-pipe, and toward the bottom of the SMIC. Back in the day when FMIC kits were big bucks, the large SMIC's ran the same way for both 1g and 2g setups. Since you are only running 10-12 psi, it is doable.....and very cheap. When you're ready to move on, you could probably sell it for what you bought it for as there are people that seek those items when returning a car back to stock.
 
Last edited:
Look, I appreciate all of the concern over my finances and whether or not I'm making the decision each of you would make. At the end of the day, if I choose to finance something has nothing to do with my original question of 'which of these would you choose and why?'.

So far, I've received one legitimate answer to that question, a whole lot of condescending 'why would you finance that?' style of remarks, and a few 'buy an eBay intercooler kit' suggestions.

@2gmitsueclipse 's suggestion of the stock SMIC was the only off-topic response that has actually helped to sway my decision of purchasing a FMIC as I wasn't even aware I could swing that setup with a 16g. This is something I can easily source from Performance Partout, and with the relationship I've built with them over the past few months while gathering the rest of the parts I should be able to pick it up rather cheap.

My timeline for completing the engine build is maybe two weeks out, barring any unforeseen obstacles that prevent me from spending some time in the garage. Once the engine is built, the only thing preventing me from doing the swap is the intercooler setup.

If anyone can provide any other on-topic suggestions about the intercoolers I listed in the original post, I'm all ears.
 
I have a full greddy kit for sale with all hard piping and greddy BOV. If you're not going speed density it would be a great fit for you and also doesn't require bumper cutting.
 
Stock smic setup then. And if you want to turn the wick up, go for the treadstone or PR.

Stock smic seems like the best option depending on price. no mods, save j-pipe stuff, fits like its supposed to and no radiator blocking.
 
You brought up the personal stuff, it's your thread, so it's directly on topic.

We're all derping in dad mode when you bring kids into it. So yeah, don't put personal stuff out there unless you're ready to talk about it


It's a fresh build, you don't even know if it runs yet. Go factory while you slowly put daily driver miles on the new motor. Go through the proper steps, get the car running first before you worry about core size and crap.
 
Stock side mount for now and be done with it. If you cant afford it, save up to buy it.
 
You brought up the personal stuff, it's your thread, so it's directly on topic.

We're all derping in dad mode when you bring kids into it. So yeah, don't put personal stuff out there unless you're ready to talk about it


It's a fresh build, you don't even know if it runs yet. Go factory while you slowly put daily driver miles on the new motor. Go through the proper steps, get the car running first before you worry about core size and crap.

I hear ya, and believe me, I’m derping in Dad mode 24/7. Had I took the time to fully explain build goals/timelines/etc early on we likely would’ve never ventured down that rabbit hole.

Overall, I’m not trying to turn this car into a race car, hence my choices of ‘good and cheap’ in the ‘pick three’ quote. I know those two don’t go hand in hand, so perhaps the better wording would have been ‘well built and reasonably priced’. Either way, fast is still not on that list for me. Yes, I will be running an upgraded turbo, however it was a deal I just could not pass up (tubular manifold, turbo, tubular o2 housing with atmospheric dump, hallman MBC, turbo gauge cluster, and a few other goodies for $300).

I also honestly had no idea that the stock SMIC was even an option since I’m not running a t25 and I knew the compressor outlets were very different. Now that I know that’s a viable option, I’ve already reached out to my contacts at Performance Partout to see what they have on hand right now. I should hear back from them by the end of the week.

I’m not completely writing off the front mount just yet though, and if I do end up going that route I’m leaning towards the treadstone as it’s nearly $100 cheaper than the ETS and similarly sized.. If anyone has any experience with that core I’d love to hear some feedback as I’ve been unable to find much info on the ability to retain the OEM fogs with it.
 
Support Vendors who Support the DSM Community
Boosted Fabrication ECM Tuning ExtremePSI Fuel Injector Clinic Innovation Products Jacks Transmissions JNZ Tuning Kiggly Racing Morrison Fabrications MyMitsubishiStore.com RixRacing RockAuto RTM Racing STM Tuned

Latest posts

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds

Back
Top