Lets talk Ebay FMIC. Especially if you have one.

[chicagoavenger]

I have read a couple of threads on ebay intercoolers but just wondering which ones out there that are actually good? Allot of them have something that goes like this

"Good for up to 500bhp(I have seen from 350-600). all our intercooler has been tested to withstand more then 80psi pressure and it has very small pressure drop across the end tanks, at 15psi inlet the out let has 14.8psi that means it has only 0.2 psi pressure drop ,compare to many other intercoolers it is an excellent figure (some intercooler has 1-2psi pressure drop) also at the same condition, the temperature has drop from 120 degree to 28 degree ( and it is an excellent figure for efficiency"

Is the above statement just a bunch of bs or true? Has anyone tried the Megan racing FMIC? I think it's crazy to spend 700+ on a core and piping. I really don't care about name brands I just want it to work. Kinda like a Dave Brode part or Megan Racing or Johnny Racecar FMIC all cheap but effective with great quality. Here are just a couple of FMIC I'm talking about that look good but do they perform and will they last? Please chime in if you have a ebay FMIC or had one especially if it worked or did not work well for you. thanks

Megan FMIC

No name brand but has the standard psi and efficiency spill

Street Imports FMIC

XOXO Core but has good feedback on the core

 

[arash15]

i was wondering if anyone would be willing to show pics of thier piping on the 24x12x3 core. ive done mine short routed and i hate how my front bumper is all hacked up just so the pipes will fit. i am trying to get some better ideas on how to redo the lower portions of my piping

 

[highbooster]

I got the xs power evo 4" thick intercooler on e-bay. It worked out to be really 3.5 inches thick, 12'' tall, 20'' core length, 25'' overall length not including the nipples. That's ok with me. I payed $132 plus $35 shipping. This intercooler looked nice and was well made. It is a semi polished, tig welded, Bar and plate design. 2-1/2 inch in/out pipeing. This intercooler would of cost me 800-1000 bux a few years ago. For all those sitting on the fence take the leap it is a good unit .

 

[DSMcrazy3]

This thread is awesome, props to the starter of it! I too am going to be upgrading to a FMIC soon, so it's nice for this thread to be there for reference.

 

[highbooster]

a pic of the intercooler and the mitsu t88

 

[thisdsm]

Hows the fit on those complete kits on ebay? Any modifications needed in order for a smooth install? I am kind of curious because I emailed streetimports about their kits and they have no idea if it's short route or long.. anyways tell us about any bad/good experiences with the install? tips, advices?? Thanks!

 

[MarsaGSX]

I got DYI..I orderer only 90 and 45degrees elbows..plus some straight .Have to cut and welded pipes..but would like make it like this:CHECK 1st PIC. ...this seller on ebay is selling FMIC pipes kits...he sells 1 and 2G Long and Short route 2.5"pipes,ready for GM Maf...but none answer
My FMIC kit is still on the way

last pic is myDYI kit.(actually I ordered 3inches Alu pipes - 6X90 degrees and 4X45 degrees and got FMIC 31"*12"*3" 3"inlet/outlet)My pain is..have to fix diameter change on Turbo outlet vs 3"pipe and 3"pipe vs TB! have to make some conical reducer...

MarsaGSX

 

[chicagoavenger]

I got DYI..I orderer only 90 and 45degrees elbows..plus some straight .Have to cut and welded pipes..but would like make it like this:CHECK 1st PIC. ...this seller on ebay is selling FMIC pipes kits...he sells 1 and 2G Long and Short route 2.5"pipes,ready for GM Maf...but none answer
My FMIC kit is still on the way
----------------------------------------------------------


Who is the seller for the 1st gen FMIC piping?

 

[n2orbit]

I just purchased the XSpower core that looks like the AGP FMIC last week.

It showed up today., and looks VERY nice

Yeah so here is the link to the closed auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33742&item=8017362702

gsxtacy

What Bov flang does it have on this kit.. also it looks like some of the pipes are smaller then the rest is that the case?

 

[fostytou]

Just FYI, I got Pwn3d on a couple of ebay FMIC's. The one I had on my GT-35r car was so dense that my turbo spooled <b>700 RPM sooner</b> after I replaced it. It was causing overheating issues, and was basically a total piece of crap!!! I have the AMS race core now and it rocks... much better spool time and way higher numbers on the dyno. I'm still using my old piping, but I'll be upgrading that soon too.

Its to note that I had a T04E 57 trim from bullseye that was only hitting about 320hp. It was constant 320hp after about 4.kkRPM, but thats really low for that turbo @ 20psi (though the turbo does have a strange map). I didn't realize the intercooler was such a problem until the summer when my car started overheating.

Be careful, look into aluminum pipping, think about how you want to do water injection and airflow sensing.... and don't be afraid to save up a little more, it could be worth it. If you can find a good cheap core make your own piping, but make sure you get a good core. The mod twice before getting it right method was MUCH more costly in this situation.

 

[Slippi84]

I too have one of those 31x12x4 HUGE fmic. I hear all this stuff about too big is a waste well I have a gt14 and I am not really worried about a fmic that's to big but instead a fmic tha doesn't cool enough cause I will take a fmic that makes me spool slower over a fmic that doesn't cool enough. When you deal with turbos bigger than a 50 trim keeping knock down becomes a chore at high psi levels and a dense fmic will only help.

 

[Thomas91169]

i have ran the "XoXo" 24x12x3 FMIC on my car with custom piping(done by me) and i love it. hit full boost at 3400rpm(20psi on evo16g). beautiful core, putting it side by side with spearco's made me realize the likelyhood of them being created in the same sweatshop, but one going to xoxo and one getting spearco stamped to it. no doubts about its abilities to hold boost and cool down air. on a summers day, the pipes on the hot side were almost unbearable to touch, on the cool side were very cool, and that was after a 40-140mph run on the freeway. and wintertime, the cold side piping was almost frosted over between the fmic outlet and the area right under the headlights(before hitting the engine bay air).

 

[MarsaGSX]

his ebay ID is veter-duet
http://stores.ebay.com/Boost-Shop
now he got empty shop.

 

[fostytou]

I too have one of those 31x12x4 HUGE fmic. I hear all this stuff about too big is a waste well I have a gt14 and I am not really worried about a fmic that's to big but instead a fmic tha doesn't cool enough cause I will take a fmic that makes me spool slower over a fmic that doesn't cool enough. When you deal with turbos bigger than a 50 trim keeping knock down becomes a chore at high psi levels and a dense fmic will only help.

In My case it was so dense that it made me knock worse and made alot less power. It was too hard for the turbo to push the air through it, and it probably had a ton of turbulance. Read the DV/DT fab paper on intercooler design... theirs is really nice (but i've read they don't pressure test them). But you CAN have an intercooler that is too dense. Your turbo flows a similar amount to my GT-35R... how would you feel if it was making 340hp at 20psi fresh off the dyno?

 

[No_Skillz]

Anyone have any bad pieces including vendors we should stay away from? I'm in the market for an fmic and from the sound of it so far any e-bay fmic is a godsend.

 

[Slippi84]

In My case it was so dense that it made me knock worse and made alot less power. It was too hard for the turbo to push the air through it, and it probably had a ton of turbulance. Read the DV/DT fab paper on intercooler design... theirs is really nice (but i've read they don't pressure test them). But you CAN have an intercooler that is too dense. Your turbo flows a similar amount to my GT-35R... how would you feel if it was making 340hp at 20psi fresh off the dyno?

Exactly which fmic were you using cause it would take a lot for a turbo the size of yours and mine to not be able to push air threw it effectively. The one I got wasn't a real cheap one either granted it wasn't as much a expensive name brand fmic. here is the link to the one I got

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/INTE...027288714QQcategoryZ33742QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If anyone has bought either the size I have which is the biggest one or the other two smaller sizes from this same guy/company let me know how things went for you.


By the way turbos like the gt35r and gt14 don't really run like champs till like 25+psi maybe you should try turning the boost up and retuning. Granted 340 is still low and it probably was like you say the intercooler being to dense but at 28psi I don't care how dense the fmic is that thing should be making around 500hp.

 

[DSM90AWD]

In My case it was so dense that it made me knock worse and made alot less power. It was too hard for the turbo to push the air through it, and it probably had a ton of turbulance

Can you post the link or P/N of the core you are speaking of?

Your turbo flows a similar amount to my GT-35R... how would you feel if it was making 340hp at 20psi fresh off the dyno?

As an FYI.. note my Dyno #s in my profile and then note my 1/4 mile times . A HUGE FMIC is great for dynos but often bad for daily driving (cooling issues).

I have a modest core but in the absence of real airflow on the dyno (a birdcage fan produces maybe 10% of the airflow you'd get from actually running that speed on the road) a modest core will heatsoak pretty quickly limiting HP on pump.

BTW, this is the first I've heard of an eBay core being too restrictive. I've often found complaints that the cores had very few (if any) internal turbulators (those internal fins that "scrub" the charged air helping to transfer heat) so were not very efficient but flowed huge CFMs at little pressure drop

 

[5150DSM]

I have had the XOXO FMIC on my car for over a year and I love it. It had outstanding welds and came polished. We pressure tested it before installation and it held 60psi before the cap on the end-tank blew off.(that was cool) Also, it only showed a .5 psi pressure drop over the length of the core, which to me was phenomenal. I went from running low 14's and high 13's heat-soaking the sidemount, to running mid-low 12's just with the I/C and a new tune.
I highly reccomend this core, it had everything... Price, quality workmanship and great HP gains.
Finally, I still have a stock radiator and only run one stock fan and I have NO overheating issues whatsoever.

 

[tstkl]

has anyone tested these fmics welds like shep tested his buschur racing fmic? (i actually think he changed to a different fmic that was bigger, so it might not be a buschur, since it doesnt look like anything buschur sells)

 

[Thomas91169]

well like above, he tested his to 60psi, and it held up. at 20psi you will be fine.

the only xoxo core ive seen split, was due to install error. the guy put the core on to where the bottom part was about 1/2" lower than the lip of the front bumper(on a 2g), so when he went up and down curbs, it would scrape, and after enough scrapes and sanding off of the welds, it finally let go. had it rewelded and 2 hours later back on the car.

im not saying the ebay cores or cheapo ones are the greatest, but if youre planning on sub 400hp and street use, then id definately recommend them for their superb quality at low prices and the job it does is spectacular. after all, anythings an upgrade from the stock sidemount.

 

[JrCRXHF]

I have a full Jr kit i have nothing but great things to saw about his work and customer service would buy another kit from him no problem. The kit i have works great it was the 10.5" tall kit and will cool anything i am going to send its way.

 

[tstkl]

but was the person flowing 60 psi on something big enough to actually flow a significant ammount of air at 60 psi, or were they on a 14b pushing 60 psi or something, because by the time that air reaches the intercooler, it will just be a whole lot larger in volume, and at like 10 psi...

 

[DSM90AWD]

has anyone tested these fmics welds like shep tested his buschur racing fmic? (i actually think he changed to a different fmic that was bigger, so it might not be a buschur, since it doesnt look like anything buschur sells)

Not many FMICs can survive a nitrous backfire
Shep also doesn't run a FMIC since he switched to Meth Injection

 

[No_Skillz]

Anyone have any bad pieces including vendors we should stay away from? I'm in the market for an fmic and from the sound of it so far any e-bay fmic is a godsend.

So no one has anything bad to say about any e-bay fmics or vendors? I guess when I'm buying I'll just get any fmic off ebay and it'll be ok...?

 

[RiceKiller_TSi]

So no one has anything bad to say about any e-bay fmics or vendors? I guess when I'm buying I'll just get any fmic off ebay and it'll be ok...?

I'm thinking the same thing here.

 

[tstkl]

im thinking dont buy from ssautochrome, because his products are known to not live up to any other products performance, but other than that i guess you should be fine, this is of corse, my opinion though...