I've been looking at eBay piping kits for my stock intercooler setup on my 95 TSI AWD. I'm looking at around 400-500hp later down the line. I'm wondering if I should just spend the $100 bucks for the piping kit for my sidemount or should I spend a bit more and get the FMIC kit early?

I just want to replace the stock tubing, it sucks and leaks way too much for me. Also since I installed my Greddy Type S BOV, it just looks bad.

Also, what are your opinions on the eBay intercoolers or pipes? I mean, I know pipes are just pipes but still. I read around a bit, but a lot of it was biased or inconclusive.

Get an efficient front mount if you are ultimately going to shoot for that much power. This runs counter to everything I've always said, which is a smic can take you a long way. I ran my Dejon big smic until I outgrew my 16g (328hp/361tq), then grabbed a fmic for my 5027e. With the pricing of full fmic kits these days it's kind of silly to spend the money twice, unless you don't want the extra attention of a fmic. You can get a complete kit from $250 and up shipped. That's what I paid for mine. Just be ready to deal with cooling issues and making some ducting to help out.

Go with a FMIC, I bought hard piping for the SMIC for my Talon and wish I would have spent the extra $100 to just go with a FMIC because either way your gonna want to upgrade down the road no matter how much you tell yourself you'll never want to. I planned on just running my Talon with a rally spec motor, then I got my GSX and the 18g and decided it will never be enough.. Haha

dsmdeliveryboy said:

Go with a FMIC, I bought hard piping for the SMIC for my Talon and wish I would have spent the extra $100 to just go with a FMIC because either way your gonna want to upgrade down the road no matter how much you tell yourself you'll never want to. I planned on just running my Talon with a rally spec motor, then I got my GSX and the 18g and decided it will never be enough.. Haha

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Haha, I think i'm on the same boat as you. I tell everyone i'm going to shoot for 11s then i'm stopping...probably not how it's going to happen

Boost leaks annoy the hell out of me, and just when I fixed one on the rubber stock crap, another one opens up. haha.

I will definitely just buy the FMIC kit. Thanks for the suggestion!

matthewdesigns said:

Get an efficient front mount if you are ultimately going to shoot for that much power. This runs counter to everything I've always said, which is a smic can take you a long way. I ran my Dejon big smic until I outgrew my 16g (328hp/361tq), then grabbed a fmic for my 5027e. With the pricing of full fmic kits these days it's kind of silly to spend the money twice, unless you don't want the extra attention of a fmic. You can get a complete kit from $250 and up shipped. That's what I paid for mine. Just be ready to deal with cooling issues and making some ducting to help out.

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I've also heard that around here, SMICs go a long way, but not very far. I just thought i'd lay off the front bumper modifications and the PITA pipe routing as long as possible..

What do you mean by cooling issues though? I've heard that a lot of people use a bead of JB Weld on the lip of the pipe and then clamp and duct tape FTW. So you're idea is definitely going to be used

atruepretense said:

Haha, I think i'm on the same boat as you. I tell everyone i'm going to shoot for 11s then i'm stopping...probably not how it's going to happen

Boost leaks annoy the hell out of me, and just when I fixed one on the rubber stock crap, another one opens up. haha.

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At least you are doing real boost leak tests. A lot of guys consider checking and tightening the worm gear clamps to be a boost leak test. It's amazing how many times you can find leaks even when using the best couplers and t-bolt clamps torqued to hell.

What do you mean by cooling issues though? I've heard that a lot of people use a bead of JB Weld on the lip of the pipe and then clamp and duct tape FTW. So you're idea is definitely going to be used

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Matthew is talking about general cooling of the motor. The FMIC sits in front of the radiator so the radiator doesn't get as much air flowing through it. Some guys end up having over heating issues because of this. The ducting he's referring to is the air shroud that funnels air from the bumper opening to the FMIC/radiator.


Edit: He did a nice write up on making the ducting. It's for a SMIC but the general idea is the same.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-turbo-system-intercooler/338863-sheet-metal-smic-duct.html

Why waste time doing all that when you can just buy a FMIC? The SMIC heats soaks VERY easily with high boost. Just isn't work the risk IMO.

Go with a fmic, so when it comes time to put that fitty trim on i sold you youre ready! I still have this exhaust sitting here too if you want that. Hit me up on aim next time youre on and well chat about it

$250 for a FMIC, now I feel like a punk for how much money I spent for my Greddy FMIC