POLL: TMIC or FMIC

What intercooler?

  • TMIC

    Votes: 6 31.6%
  • FMIC

    Votes: 13 68.4%

  • Total voters
    19

speedin

The Transporter
1st, obviously this is not on a Integra, its on my scooby...

So there are pro's and cons to each, and they both come out to about $300.



So ill start with TMIC

Pros
-Quick spool
-STI scoop
-Increased longevity (aka bent fins)
-Maintain that rally heritage a bit

Cons
-Heat soak
-Loss in power when I go 18G


FMIC

Pros
-Great cooling
-boost in peak HP vs TMIC

Cons
-Increased lag
-Cutting up front bumper
-Bent fins over time
-No STI scoop, lol.



Really there close... For right now the TMIC will be better on my TD04, the FMIC would be better down the road. But by how much idk... Just curious what you guys think.
 

hotdoghogie

Droppin panties since1990
FMIC... you wont even notice a lag difference. and even so its just an excuse to get an antilag system ;)
 


red98teg

Keep on Truckin
i say go with the FMIC... cause if its going to benefit you even more down the road then why spend money now when your just gonna have to spend it later?
 

speedin

The Transporter
FMIC... you wont even notice a lag difference. and even so its just an excuse to get an antilag system ;)
The piping for Subaru's is a considerable length as the intake mani faces the wrong way for a fmic set-up; thus lag is present with FMIC's in a noticeable way. With the TD04 a very noticeable way.


Looking at some of the heat wrapping options and there effectiveness im leaning TMIC right now. The instantaneous response of a TMIC is so appealing, I love a responsive car, not necessarily a big power one. Its actually a extensive debate my friends and I have had. One friend has a Gt35R STI with all the goodies and makes 470 wheel. But actually riding in the car its smooth and the speedo is the only real indicator of the sick power. However with my tiny turbo and another friends E316G dsm the delivery is violent and really throws you back. To put it simply, using the "girl test" (lol) we asked her what car she thought was faster in a 1-3 pull in them all. She really doesnt know much about cars and was just using feel to judge. She ranked the 470whp STI last my car 2nd and the E316G dsm 1st in power. So the debate is have a car that feels amazing or one that actually is but doesnt give the driver the same thrill.
 
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dc2GS-R

Super Moderator
Heat soak sucks. The effects of it are worse then the minimal amount of lag due to piping length.

Just make sure to use properly sized piping (i.e. stay on the smaller side)
 


GreyTeg

New Member
I had an 02 with a FMIC using the td04 turbo and I can tell you its not bad although you should look into getting at least an ihi vf39 or vf40
 

speedin

The Transporter
Those are larger than an 18g? I haven't looked into turbos in a while, so I don't remember
Nope, honestly the VF's SUCK imo. The output cant compair to other turbo's and there over priced. A E316G beats the best of the VF's (VF48 ) and it still costs about 3-400 less.
 
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GreyTeg

New Member
No, those turbos are smaller then a 18G, the IHI VF39 is the stock STI turbo which is a popular swap for the wrx, an 18G is bigger being able to handle more boost and better flow but anytime you swap out that td04 your going to have to invest in some bigger injectors and a better fuel pump.

Point taken.



Those are larger than an 18g? I haven't looked into turbos in a while, so I don't remember
 
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