1G FMIC - Best one? Are any easy to install?

[Rob Rohr]

I am officially in the market for a FMIC for my 1G and have searched the web for all the options. My goals are to have an IC that is large enough for an EVO16g @ 20psi and something that could support a slightly larger turbo in the future. The car is a daily driver and see lots of Auto-X runs where it sees full boost for one minute or more! This requires far better resistance to the dreaded heat-soak than a 12sec 1/4 miles run. What I do NOT want is a FMIC that is a PITA to install and that requires all kind of cutting and other modifications. I have looked at the Dejon large SMIC but there is very little user-feedback on this part and I am worried that it will heat-soak too fast under extended full boost runs.

So far I have found FMIC kits from ADFX, Dejon, Bushur, RNR Racing, SBR, Extreme PSI, Kinetic and RRE. Am I missing any contenders?


Here are some of the major downsides I have found with various FMIC kits, and I want to avoid all or as many of these as possible!

-Needing to seriously cut and/or remove the front bumper rebar. too damgerous for my tastes!
-Needing to relocate or modify the P/S lines. PITA at install time.
-Needing to remove or change the A/C fan. I want to retain A/C and I'd rather not spend the money or pain of fitting an aftermarket fan.
-Cutting or removing part of the hood latch mechanism.
-The core and/or pipes hang below the bumper! The car will be driven in deep snow and on bad (rally-type) roads. Low hanging parts will be destroyed in no time!
-I/C core so large that is seriously affects radiator cooling at high speed.


Am I fussy, hell yes! Am I willing to pay good money for a well designed and executed kit, hell yes! Can anyone with 1G FMIC kit experiences please speak up to help me choose the best kit for my car?


Happy boosting

 

[phatTSi]

I have the buschur street kit. The bumper support needed trimming, as well as the actual bumper. Slight trimming as well to make the pipes fit nothing to major. Your ac fan does have to be removed/replaced, powersteering lines fit with no moifying. Core does not hand below the bumper. I've had a lot of success with the core. I do not over heat or even run warm and i'm running without a fan at the present time.(got one just not installed)

 

[TSIfreek]

BR has my vote also they use a sparco core.

 

[peregrine]

. you want to avoid heat soak AND not do all the stuff listed above? post it here if you find that kit.

 

[AL92]

The dejon street mount is a front mount and doesn't require any bumper cutting and don't think much else.It hooks to stock upper pipes too.I am sure it will work great on an evo 16 not so sure about the bigger turbos like my 50 trim.I should maybe have got an evo 16 and been happy with it .So far can't use my 50 trim anywhere near its potential and may have to get a big fmic and do some cutting and hacking to get it to fit.Also think ON GREEN makes a street kit that I don't thnk requires hacking and cutting either.

 

[12sec92Tsi]

http://ongreenperformance.com/FrameSets/1G Performance.htm
Their street kit comes with a decent sized core and all 2.5" piping. Won't block all usable radiator flow and even comes with a j-pipe for your evo16g which most kits sell seperately for more. This is the kit I am looking at purchasing. Great deal at only $725!

 

[Rob Rohr]

http://ongreenperformance.com/FrameSets/1G Performance.htm
Their street kit comes with a decent sized core and all 2.5" piping. Won't block all usable radiator flow and even comes with a j-pipe for your evo16g which most kits sell seperately for more. This is the kit I am looking at purchasing. Great deal at only $725!

DING-DING-DING, folks I think we have a winner

Of all the kits I have seen so far this one is closest to what I am looking for. I am not thrilled about cutting the rad support and having to use a slim fan but I can probably get over it. My concern is that it looks great on paper (or the screen) but when I go to install it it will fit like crap and be poorly built. Has anyone actually bought and installed one of these kits?

The size should be more than large enough to cool my EVO16g @ 20psi and still allow plenty of cooling air to the rad.

Does anyone have info on which is the best low-profile fan to use with these large FMIC kits?

 

[falcone4g63]

ive got the buschur kit. it was a pain for me to install because i used a dremel, thats was stupid. it came with no hardware, clamps, and missing one connecter. i removed the ac and bought a slim fan from slowboy for $60 i think(12"). cooling is no problem and rarely does the fan need to come on. nothing hangs blow the bumper except where the ic connects to the frame, maybe like 1/2 inch. so far i like it but i think for my other car i might try another kit.

 

[sweet97]

I cannot access ONGREEN's intercooler page. Can someone list the specs of the IC being referenced here? Thanks, Mark

 

[CanadianTSi]

Take a look at JR's FMIC kit, I think it has what your looking for. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7932632970&category=33742&sspagename=WDVW

 

[Rob Rohr]

Take a look at JR's FMIC kit, I think it has what your looking for. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7932632970&category=33742&sspagename=WDVW

Very confusing! From the pictures I think the ebay auction and the On Green site are selling the same FMIC kit. Can anyone confirm this? The ebay price is good and I am tempted to buy it if I can confirm the quality of the kit.

 

[Sk8er07999]

Well you can cross dejon's race kit off. It requires alot of cutting but I think it was definitley worth it.

 

[Rob Rohr]

Well you can cross dejon's race kit off. It requires alot of cutting but I think it was definitley worth it.

I already crossed off the Race version. IMO, you must have an upgraded rad to run such a huge FMIC without seriously affecting high-speed engine cooling. I also refuse to weaken my front bumper rebar on a street car.

 

[Sk8er07999]

I haven't had a single time where the temp has gone past the middle. I have sat in traffic at near 100 degree weather. Also I didn't get a small fan I just hacked the sh!t out of the stock fan in order to clear the lower intercool j-pipe. Still haven't ever gone past the midway point. I agree with you I wish I still had my front bumper support because my frount bumper is so damn flimsy. I am gonna just cut the bumper support to fit. Also I did remove the a/c components that where in frount of the radiator. So I am sure I stay cooler because of this as well.

 

[DSMRevolution]

Very confusing! From the pictures I think the ebay auction and the On Green site are selling the same FMIC kit. Can anyone confirm this? The ebay price is good and I am tempted to buy it if I can confirm the quality of the kit.

I agree, it does look exactly like the kit shown on the other site. I must say though, I think I might order one myself in a few days. I really like the idea of not having to cut the bumper / bumper support. Gets my vote!

 

[rsunahar]

I already crossed off the Race version. IMO, you must have an upgraded rad to run such a huge FMIC without seriously affecting high-speed engine cooling. I also refuse to weaken my front bumper rebar on a street car.

I think you're slightly misinformed on this one.
People with BIG front mounts do have heating problems ocassionally, but it's more low speed problems than high.
If you have high speed problems, then you're looking at more than just a cooling system issue usually.




But to put in my vote, I think that JRs intercooler will work fine for your power level.


You may also want to consider an upgraded smic, which most people say are a waste of money, but in my opinion, if you're looking for an easy install, you have to pay extra for less.
Removing the bumper is not easy the first time.
Of course, now I can take mine off in less than half an hour, but doing it the first time I had to deal with a lot of rusted bolts, etc..
My point is that any FMIC won't be an easy install for a first timer (althought it's not hard) and will require you to AT LEAST cut the D ports for the piping.


So knowing that, and if you're going to cut, and if you're going to pull the bumper, cutting the bumper core slightly isn't that big a deal

just my thoughts...

 

[CanadianTSi]

The ebay price is good and I am tempted to buy it if I can confirm the quality of the kit.

I run his 2g kit on my car and the fitment and quality were excellent, also his customer service is top notch, I would not hesitate to buy from JR again. Also I run the 10" tall version and have no problems with overheating.

 

[Rob Rohr]

I run his 2g kit on my car and the fitment and quality were excellent, also his customer service is top notch, I would not hesitate to buy from JR again. Also I run the 10" tall version and have no problems with overheating.

Thanks for the feedback, nice to hear of people actually using these kits. Did you buy it right from ebay? Was the seller around to help you if you had any problems?

On the site I don't see any sign of "mounts" for the FMIC, how does it attach to the car?

Any other comments on the kit?

 

[CanadianTSi]

I emailed him probably 20 times before buying the kit and he would reply promptly. There are Tabs on the IC used for mounting, not exactly sure on a 1g though.

I didn't bother with Ebay I just bought it straight from JR, just Email him if you have any questions.

 

[sweet97]

PLEASE, 2nd request. I cannot access the page on the Green performance site tat shows the intercoolers. I have te dejon street and am selling it t get something that will cool the50 trim's charge. Will someone list the sizes and any specs given for the IC being addressed in this post. The one that does not require cutting. My dejon street FMIC would be great fr an EVO super 16G as I was running one before the 50 trim on the stock sidemount at 18 PSI. The dejon would allow any amount of boost thrown at it by the EVO, even up to 24 PSI on race. I have asked mods to help me place an ad but to no avail so I will list the dejon on Buschur's sit. it is only 1 month old with less than 500 miles along with a set of 720cc inj's from dejon that cost me $307. and I would sacrifice for $240. shipped. I am doing this to save the 50 trim. Again specs on the Green FMIC? PLEASE!

 

[CanadianTSi]

PLEASE, 2nd request. I cannot access the page on the Green performance site tat shows the intercoolers. I have te dejon street and am selling it t get something that will cool the50 trim's charge. Will someone list the sizes and any specs given for the IC being addressed in this post. The one that does not require cutting. My dejon street FMIC would be great fr an EVO super 16G as I was running one before the 50 trim on the stock sidemount at 18 PSI. The dejon would allow any amount of boost thrown at it by the EVO, even up to 24 PSI on race. I have asked mods to help me place an ad but to no avail so I will list the dejon on Buschur's sit. it is only 1 month old with less than 500 miles along with a set of 720cc inj's from dejon that cost me $307. and I would sacrifice for $240. shipped. I am doing this to save the 50 trim. Again specs on the Green FMIC? PLEASE!

Running a 50 trim you are going to need to run a big IC, all big IC's require cutting the bumper support. I just left mine off, it's much easier that way.

 

[sweet97]

Canadian TSI I am beginning to accept that. You left the bumper/support off!? Is the cover and foam connected securely? After removing the cover and foam is the bumper right there and easy to remove? My car is exceptionally clean so rust should not interfere with the bolts. How about headlight removal, necessary? Thnks, Mark

 

[90blacktsiawd]

Has anyone every tried any of the fmic from 9 sec. racing listed on this site? The prices look good adn if i could make my own piping it might be a cheap way to go.

 

[diambo4life]

I already crossed off the Race version. IMO, you must have an upgraded rad to run such a huge FMIC without seriously affecting high-speed engine cooling.

Wrong. I have one and only have one stock radiator fan. No overheating anytime even during the hottest of summers.

It's only a 5mph bumper. Tossed it out a long time ago.

-Needing to seriously cut and/or remove the front bumper rebar. too damgerous for my tastes!
-Needing to relocate or modify the P/S lines. PITA at install time.
-Needing to remove or change the A/C fan. I want to retain A/C and I'd rather not spend the money or pain of fitting an aftermarket fan.
-Cutting or removing part of the hood latch mechanism.
-The core and/or pipes hang below the bumper! The car will be driven in deep snow and on bad (rally-type) roads. Low hanging parts will be destroyed in no time!
-I/C core so large that is seriously affects radiator cooling at high speed.

1. That's ludicrous honestly. If you want to fit a decent sized core on your 1G you will have to forget about that.
2. What's so "PITA" about looping a P/S line. All you need is a needle nosed pliers. Heck, you don't even cut anything. Takes 2 minutes.
3. Don't get any kit with a short routed piping - better yet, custom make your own fmic kit since most kits will not satisfy this requirement. You want to be picky? Face your own music.
4. Not required with most kits. May not be an issue.
5. Same as 3.
6. Some people have problems at LOW speed others (like me) don't have any problems as stated before.

 

[sweet97]

OK Mike you run without the bumper also. How well does the cover and foam under it fit the car without it? I mean how well does it fit/attach. Yeah it's only a5MPH bumper which was supposed to minimize financial damage and you added an $700. IC!! Also they add a lot at 50 MPH because I did it. Mark
Please reply about the fitment of the cover withoutthe bumper!