Should I do a FMIC first?

[agpu]

This is my first turbo car. I am planning out my build right now and I have noticed that most people are not going with a FMIC as one of their first purchases. I only want to spend about 2k on parts this year so I was wondering if a FMIC setup would be worth doing as one of my first mods. I eventually want about 400 WHP out of the car but I plan on doing that gradually.

The car will be registered in South Carolina even though I'm stationed in NY. This means that I don't have to worry about any inspections. I am looking for a list of things to do to this car to make a little bit more reliable HP. If I can get another 50 horsepower out of it this year, I'll be happy with that

I have noticed that most people listing out their planned mods have a lot of fuel system upgrades that they plan on doing. I understand that I will need these things in the future but they are things that can be purchased with future deployment money if I do not need them right now for modest HP gains. The FMIC seems like a mod I would see instant gains from that would be worth spending the money on in the long run as well. Should I just go with that and exhaust first?

I need guidance

 

[brandon1239]

I wouldnt bother with a front mount right away. do either a 2nd gen maf or a GM maf, bigger injectors, afc, some gauges to watch the motor, boost controller, fuel pump and exhaust. you will see a ton more power from these things rather than a front mount. as for your 50hp goal, just a boost controller and exhaust would get your there if you ran high boost levels all the time. but there is more than just turning up boost that should be done.

 

[slow gst]

Tech Guide: 1G 4G63t Upgrades - DSMtuners

 

[crash89]

Yea +1 on what brandon1239 said. At this stage you wont see really any improvement with a FMIC, yea itll look cool but really no gains right now. Like he said a boost controller and full exhaust would get you your 50hp goal for now. If I were you I would open up that exhaust and get a boost controller right now, then fuel pump and injectors with that youll need an AFC or someway to manage that extra fuel. If you read through that link that slow_gst sent you, youll deffinately be on your way! good luck man

 

[kqodprez]

Welcome to the site young dsmr!

That said the first thing you should do is the actual maintance needed on a 18 year old car. Next I'd just follow the upgrade path listed in the link posted above. At this point the fmic isn't as important as other things that will free up flow on your 1G. Have fun with your new ride and boost safely!

And lastly...make sure to use the search button on the site as it's been the best help to me.

Another site that will help you: VFAQ Site - Visual Frequently Answered Questions

 

[Achelea]

The reason we try to tell people to do it in a certain order is doing the modifications in that general order covers bases. Not to mention we are warning people of how NOT to blow your motor.
Maintenance -> Repairs -> Supporting mods -> Mods

The first two are connected cause the maintenance usually ends up finding what needs repaired, and vice versa, the repairs give you a chance to fix and do maintenance on parts you can't get to otherwise.

By doing the supporting mods first, you are doing work that you don't have to do for the later mods. IE the fuel wire Now lets you put in a bigger fuel pump later without having to wire it then. (And it gives a stock system a nice boost to power) A computer and FPR to keep your stronger fuel system from flooding your engine, and bigger injectors to push more fuel in at your raised stock boost level. Hard intercooler piping to replace the rubber hoses which form leaks after higher boost, etc etc

Why are FMIC not listed as a first mod? Mostly because the stock side mount is good up to 300 easily. Additionaly, smaller turbos do not push enough air fast enough to get the boost to the motor fast enough. IE more LAG, which can turn to less usable power, not to mention FMIC are a sign to a cop that the car might be a Tad illegal.

On a slightly different note: Have you thought about upgrading the wheels and tires, brakes, suspension and drive train before you push too much power?

In my opinion, it would be wise to make sure the rest of the car can handle what your plans are before you get too HP happy. After all, it doesn't matter how fast you can run if you can't control it, right?

Crappy rear tires took out a DSMer's clean 2g here. He bought new tires for the front but not the back and the ass end slid out into a rock. Control is king.

 

[LiquidX]

Yea +1 on what brandon1239 said. At this stage you wont see really any improvement with a FMIC, yea itll look cool but really no gains right now. Like he said a boost controller and full exhaust would get you your 50hp goal for now. If I were you I would open up that exhaust and get a boost controller right now, then fuel pump and injectors with that youll need an AFC or someway to manage that extra fuel. If you read through that link that slow_gst sent you, youll deffinately be on your way! good luck man

Actually, that's not true. He will not gain 50HP from JUST turning up the boost and a full exhaust. The exhuast will free up the back pressure for future use. You can't just turn the boost up and think everything is ok. There is a reason why people say to do fuel mods over anything. If you turn the boost up over 15psi, you'll hit fuel cut and have a higher chance to knock or detonate

Follow the upgrade path and you'll be fine. There is a reason why it's called the upgrade path. But before any upgrading MAINTAINCE first and foremost. Plugs, wires, hoses, sensors (if they need replaced), FULL timing kit replacement if you don't know when it was done, fluids and anything else that is damaged.

Read up on the site and listen to what the knowladgable people have to say. Research each part you plan on purchaching and don't cut corners with a DSM. I can't stress enough about learning and searching. You'll find your answers on here already.

The reason why the FMIC isn't as important now is that until you upgrade your vehicle to run higher boost which will heat soak the stock SMIC, you will just loose pressure from the turbo and increase turbo lag from a FMIC if the core is too large.

You beat me Achelea

 

[Achelea]

You beat me Achelea

My Kungfu is strong. . .

 

[Badgst96]

+1 on liquidx! When I got my car I short cut so many corners and I am urging you to not do the same! Maintenance is a must and should be done to any used car you buy not only DSMs.. Do timing belt (my mistake I regret not doing), plugs, wires, hoses, drive belts, fluids all around, brakes valve cover gasket, filters etc.. Buy a car manual and research the machine and then work on modding.. Ive had my car for near 5 years and I still get lost but thanks to this site Ive learned and learned from others mistakes.. LEARN FROM MINE!! Goodluck!!

 

[brandon1239]

also ask around and see what other people are running and make a plan you want to stick to that is attainable. like others have said, do maintenance first, then start with the power adders. doing this first will help you get to know everything on the car so upgrades will be easier to install later. you can definitely have a nice car with the budget you set. just plan ahead and you'll be set.

 

[agpu]

Thanks for all of the help guys. I'll have the car on a lift by this week end if I can get my tags for it by then. I said my limit for mods was 2k because I wanted to make sure that I had enough money for maintenance. I'm first going to change out my drive shaft and my axles, change all fluids and inspect the rear end because I have heard that the early models have weak ones. The guy I bought it from said that he has gone through the engine already and all of my hoses look brand new. already but I'll make sure I check on his work just to be sure

 

[92AWDHX40]

Yep make sure, timing belts, the major stuff, i got mine and tore her apart to make sure. Then had everrything rebuilt. To many unknown answers for me, but now im assured. Maintenane the links will help.

 

[Achelea]

Thanks for all of the help guys. I'll have the car on a lift by this week end if I can get my tags for it by then. I said my limit for mods was 2k because I wanted to make sure that I had enough money for maintenance. I'm first going to change out my drive shaft and my axles, change all fluids and inspect the rear end because I have heard that the early models have weak ones. The guy I bought it from said that he has gone through the engine already and all of my hoses look brand new. already but I'll make sure I check on his work just to be sure

NEVER believe the buyer when they said they already went through. I bought my car from a mechanic that said he just did a timing belt job on the car and when I looked at it, the belt had a groove, and others were frayed, and half the hoses looked like they were from the factory. A friend of mine bought a car they said all it needed was timing job. Ended up engine got torn down and rebuilt slightly, transmission doesn't stay in gear, headlights melted the terminals, exhaust had holes in it, we had to swap the 'performance lowering springs' back to the factory height. Believe your own eyes before their words. Even if you don't know cars, anyone can tell a brand new fresh rubber hose from one made when New Kids on the Block were hot.

If you don't mind, you got pictures of the driveshaft and axles? or are they just extremely cracked on the rubber? ((Personally I would just pull the driveshaft and replace the Carrier bearings and U joints rather than buy a new one, or a 'better' one of questionable age and quality))

Before you turn a bolt on the car, Research, research research. I thought i could keep it and have some one do the work, but I learned I can do it faster, cheaper, and some times better than a mechanic. As long as I research and ask.

 

[agpu]

I'm going to go through my car this weekend if I can finish my closet first. I'll take a lot of pics and post them up for help and opinions then. Thanks again for all of the good responses.

 

[GSXRider]

I agree with everyone. My talon was running consistent 13s way before a front mount.