Pros/Cons of side mount ic and fmic

[kassdog]

I'm new to turbo engines and since I'm about to start rebuilding my car I was wondering what is the difference in these. Basically what I should go for when I do my engine.

 

[spawn87]

well think of it this way with a fmic compare to the side one, its at least twice as large and even if u do add a bit of weights in the front (which realy makes not difference) you are cooling the hot air from the turbo a lot more allowing u to make more power.

 

[kassdog]

So there is truely no advantage to installing a side mount than a front mount.

 

[ApexVIII]

So there is truely no advantage to installing a side mount than a front mount.

nope front mount is better.

well if you want to look more stock, but then just paint the FMIC black

 

[kenamond]

Some say the increased volume of the FMIC and piping slows boost a bit (it takes longer for the compressor output to pressurize the larger volume between the turbo and combustion chamber).
Many have issues with overheating because the FMIC heats the air before it hits the radiator, and it also blocks the airflow a bit.
Many FMIC are too wide to be able to keep the fog lights.
On the 2g, you usually have to hack the plastic bumper or remove it altogether (the 5mph bumper under the bumper cover). I assume this means that the car will suffer more damage in a 5mph collision than if you had the bumper, but I have no idea how much of a difference it makes.
FMIC installation is more involved if you fab your own pipes.
FMIC is more expensive (usually).
FMIC kills the sleeper look (if that matters).

But you cool the compressor output much more with a FMIC and don't heat-soak as easily, so you can boost higher and for longer spurts. I'm not sure if the pressure loss across an FMIC and the added pipes is more or less than a SMIC.

And then there's stock SMIC and water/meth injection...

 

[kassdog]

Thanks guys you gave me great insight. I'm going to go with the fmic now. I just wanted to make sure that there was no major advantage to a side mount than front mount.