Poor Man's FMIC!

[90GSX17]

Well i'm on a super tight budget, I was wondering if the stock Side Mount was mounted in the front, like a FMIC would you notice any gains, I see some people are running 12's on stock side mounts, so I figured why would it not work as a front mount better.

 

[jongreene]

just taking a wild guess here but i thought it didnt matter where the IC was placed but rather the size of the IC that will make the diference.

 

[luvmygst]

I dont think you would gain much. The stock sidemount gets pretty good airflow. If you were going to go to that much trouble, buy a cheap core from e-bay and make your own fmic. I have less than $75 in my fmic setup. I did have a core sitting around though. I paid for the piping I wanted and a 1g bov. After making the ic pipe and welding a flange on it was done in 2 days. You could do a fmic for less than $200 if you find a good deal on a core. Good luck.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

You could also just try to open up more flow to the side mount. People have come up with all sorts of original ideas for this. Go to town!

 

[MarcVIII]

I read that 1gs have bigger core SIMCs but 2gs have larger openings on the end tanks, can these two attributes be combined to have a large core SIMC with higher flowing end tanks? I know the end tanks on the Supras can be taken off, but what about the stock DSM parts? Would they need unbraized and then welded on (sounding difficult with a low chance of air tight sealing)? Or is it more like the Surpra where the end tanks a "clipped" in (making it fairly easy to connect the two together)? Also soaking the IC ingasoline or something to clean any trapped oil will help the parts function better if they have any serious milage on them.

If so that would be a cheap, build-it-yourself upgrade that would allow you to retain the stock SMIC location (for those with hard IC piping already). Just a thought.

 

[thekellbeast]

I don't know about the size difference between 1g and 2g stock sidemounts, but Supra sidemounts have plastic endtanks that are removeable. Most people who run Supra sidemounts just take off the top endtank and reverse it (180 degrees) so the outlet will line up (somewhat) with the UICP. It already has 2.5" outlets which are bigger than stock sidemounts, and the core is MUCH bigger.

I have a supra sidemount with the top endtank alreay switched, that I plan on installing when I get back to Maine and find time. Also, water injection can be a sort of poor-man's-intercooler, since it lets you run more boost with a smaller I/C core. I'm going to be running my 18g on a supra sidemount with water injection.

Well, once I install everything.

 

[90GSX17]

is there any vendor, or a place where I can get a supra sidemount, the side mounts are off the MKIII supra right? If so every junkyard around here just has non-turbo MKIII supras.

 

[knighteclipse1]

I've seen Supra sidemounts on e-bay occasionally, you may try there first. I saw one in our classifieds the other day, but I see your a newbie, so that idea is out. You could also check out Supra forums. I am sure you can find some there.

 

[my98GST]

Yes, In some cases including this one, size does matter

 

[97GS-TSpyder]

no it wont do anything but give you more of a pressure drop due to the increased distance the air has to travel, not to mention its just retarded

 

[brygsx95]

you could take out the fog lights if you really wanted to get more airflow... not sure how much it would help. You can also help it breathe better better making the vents in the back of the weathear guard a bit beefer. I would save for a fmic.... I have heard people pick up starion intercoolers and they work just fine... the only problem is you need to customize your piping.

 

[dsm-onster]

Location is very important. A big ic in a bad place is a big heat soaked restriction to the airflow. A reason why the sidemount up front is probably not worth it. Is that when you get to the minimal level where a front mount is beneficial (only 15psi or so w/ a stock turbo), then the stock one becomes a huge pressure drop. It's not just in a bad location. It does not let the compressed aircharge FLOW well, either.

 

[90GSX17]

found a guy selling this kit for $300, should this fit well with my current setup
small 16g
3inch turboback
hacked MAF

Intercooler kit:
-all clamps
-all coupler
-black anodized mandrel bent piping
-6x28x2.5 Polished fmic

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[1993eclipseGS]

Um, $300? That kit is on ebay for less. You can actually get the 12" tall by 32" long by 3" thick for $300.00. Look before you go purchasing parts off people.

 

[dsm-onster]

That should do great. It lookes like a bar and plate design which should yeild good flow and low pressure drop.

 

[1993eclipseGS]

That is actually an ebay kit, And you will need more piping. If you bought it, You'd be wasting over $100.00 though being like I said in my previous post, You can get them on ebay.. Which is where the owner of it got it from.

 

[90GSX17]

yeah I know, I asked the guy how much for it without the pipes, I tend to also buy my stuff from people or motorsports shops, it's just something about the internet that I don't trust, plus i've already had 2 bad experiences with ebay so I tend to steer clear of purchasing stuff from over the net! I like to see the product before I buy it

 

[my98GST]

Thats actually a Tube/Fin.

 

[napkinthief]

I got tired of waiting for JRC, which has pretty good deals on FMICs (215$ for a 8" core), so I just got mine off ebay with pipes, bov, and a mbc for 270$. Came with all the couplers I need, the bov flange, a mock hks, some vaccuum hoses, and enough piping to mess up and still have a spare to fix your mistake.

Total was 270 shipped, and I should get it this week, so expect a review or install tech guide.

You say you are on a budget, but think about how much you would be spending if you get the sidemount, then get piping, then a bov, then a flange for the bov, then some hoses, and shipping for all of them.

piping 110$ shipped
sidemount 40$ shipped (150)
mock bov 50$ shipped (200)
flange for bov 20$ shipped (220)
couplers 6 straight, 2 90* 50$ shipped (270)

That is if you can find those 8 couplers for that cheap. ATP charges 40$ for a 90* coupler.


So pay 270 for a sidemount setup or 270 for a much larger FMIC setup? Your choice.

 

[bcknblk]

Not to interupt your post but I am also on a tight budget, knowing that the size of the intercooler is what is important not location, (that is important to) if I put two stock sidemounts together as in hooking the inlet and outlet ends together and than hooking it up like a normal intercooler would that make a difference making it like a fmic, i think it would work but i figured i would ask before i waste all that time doing it.

 

[i1nk83]

You can take 2-3 stock sidemounts and cut the endanks off and have them welded together. This is what i currently have on my car right now. Flows fairly well and it was cheap. Mavisky did this as well and i believe there is a whole thread about his setup.

 

[RedGSX21]

cutting and welding those smic's together is really interesting i didnt know people did that. Did you mount yours in the front then? Doesnt seem there would be enough room in the side mount location. There is a group buy goin on for an XS power/SS Autocrome FMIC that is a 295 completely shipped with all pipes and bov flange. 2.5 short route piping that is all polished and the core is huge! This one of the best deals for a great FMIC that you are going to find and many people have already bought it and they can tell you how great they are too. Really should look into this.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207809&page=36

 

[i1nk83]

Yeh mine is mounted in the front. There would be no way to mount it in the smic location. Ill be upgrading here shortly tho, im thinking the 20g will move a little more air and i dont really like the way i ran the pipes... so it will be for sale here in a couple of weeks.

 

[chicagoavenger]

cutting and welding those smic's together is really interesting i didnt know people did that. Did you mount yours in the front then? Doesnt seem there would be enough room in the side mount location. There is a group buy goin on for an XS power/SS Autocrome FMIC that is a 295 completely shipped with all pipes and bov flange. 2.5 short route piping that is all polished and the core is huge! This one of the best deals for a great FMIC that you are going to find and many people have already bought it and they can tell you how great they are too. Really should look into this.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207809&page=36

I started that thread awhile back and I am glad I did. There is no reason to pay 800+ for a fmic unless you like paying for a name.

 

[orangeblue]

I agree with Chicagoavenger.