FMIC vs. SMIC

unfrgivn · Mar 3, 2003

I think this would be a good topic to maybe turn into an FAQ. I haven't found too much on the internet pertaining to this topic. Obviously a FMIC can hold much more boost, but what are the other advantages/disadvantages.

From what I know (which is not much)

SMIC --
- Cheaper, Fits without any cutting or modifications to the engine bay or body, but can handle far less boost.

FMIC --
- More expensive, can handle more boost, piping is cleaner because it runs around the sides and not straight across the engine bay.

Are there any other things... I've heard that FMIC's are bad if you drive on bad roads, b/c rocks and other things that bounce up under the car can bend the fins very easily. Is this true?

Thanks.

robertzas · Mar 3, 2003

fmic are the only way you can go when making alot of power and not switching to a complex, heavy air to water intercooler. FMIC are almost always more efficient due to the air flow through the front.

A51_RPS13 · Mar 4, 2003

For a SMIC there is cutting of the body to get both pipes to fit in there, unless your modifying the piping as well. Go FMIC, you can pipe the FMIC so that it is right in front of the radiator, thats what I did, and you can't even see the FMIC.

lessthanjakejohn · Mar 4, 2003

For a SMIC there is cutting of the body to get both pipes to fit in there, unless your modifying the piping as well. Go FMIC, you can pipe the FMIC so that it is right in front of the radiator, thats what I did, and you can't even see the FMIC.

And then the car overheats because there isn't enough air....

Jeebs · Mar 4, 2003

I liked the way sport compact did it in their little 240 build up http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/tech/0205scc_silvia/ . Its like the 3rd picture down but that would probly block alot of the airflow to the radiator. what yall think?

robertzas · Mar 4, 2003

johnp said:
And then the car overheats because there isn't enough air....

Unless you have the world's shittiest radiator, no fan, and somehow sitting in grid lock on a 120* day in full boost you won't be overheating. Turbo engines under no boost make VERY little heat because they have very low compression. When you are moving you should get plenty of air through the intercooler to cool the should be aluminum radiator and electric or dual electric fans.

unfrgivn · Mar 4, 2003

but what about the fins bending... I've heard front mounts can get really fucked up by rocks bouncing up and stuff.

robertzas · Mar 4, 2003

ya, but if you are afraid of that just get a mesh grill. I think rocks sometimes happen to jump up and hit the intercooler, but its usually not a big deal and usually doesn't cause any damage.

A51_RPS13 · Mar 6, 2003

@ no time has my car EVER overheated.

agoura1 · Mar 7, 2003

i've go for a set up similar to a 300z 2 side mounts, just cause i've seen people vandalize FMIC just cause its there, stikkin out..have u ever seen a kicked in intercooler...not cool

angeldrft · Mar 7, 2003

Well a fmic will function mosefficiently imo. Jsut put a grill thats a little thicker than a standard mesh grill and paint it flat black that way it both protects and hide the ic at the same time.

robertzas · Mar 7, 2003

agoura1 said:
i've go for a set up similar to a 300z 2 side mounts, just cause i've seen people vandalize FMIC just cause its there, stikkin out..have u ever seen a kicked in intercooler...not cool

aww man... if i ever see some idiot kick my $500 intercooler I will beat him senseless. Seriously, he won't leave without any limbs broken.

phast · Mar 7, 2003

A51_RPS13 said:
@ no time has my car EVER overheated.

Same here....But I've got 2 fans on the radiator....But I never go over 1/3 of the temp gague....Even when I run it hard.

I like the FMIC....Performs well, handles boost and looks dead sexy:humper

CrookedH · Mar 8, 2003

Dejon Tool has a dual smic kit using DSM intercoolers...not for our cars though. They rate good for 500hp. It wouldn't be such an eyesore, if you wanna call a fmic that I sure wouldnt. They say the price is cheaper than alot of FMIC kits. This too me would be a good route to take if you didnt want a FMIC.

robertzas · Mar 8, 2003

egh, dsm intercoolers are shit. They have HORRIBLE flow, and they are rated to about 300 hp each. I would rather get one supra SMIC then 2 dsm SMIC.

halz · Mar 9, 2003

Would a TMIC just be a terrible idea to pursue?

robertzas · Mar 9, 2003

ohh yea, there is absolutely no better place in the engine bay to place your intercooler then on top of the hottest part of your engine.

angeldrft · Mar 10, 2003

if you have enough ventelation and a working hood scop it should be ok i mena its stll wouldnt be a modable as a fmic but its something different

robertzas · Mar 10, 2003

Hood scoops are bad, better to have a vent. There is alot of air that comes into the car via the air dam and the only way it can exit is the bottem of the car. You don't want air being compressed under your car, more air below the car then above the car is bad. Makeing vents lets air escape through the hood, causeing less upforce.

I've seen a few subaru's with these. Subaru's are very diffrent engines, the top center of the engine has the least heat since the heads of the H4 are closer to the middle fenders.

knightrider · Mar 10, 2003

subarus have a flat 4 configuration if im correct, setting the engine lower in the engine bay, and keeping the heat farther to the sides of the engine bay, giving them room to have a tmic, i dont know how much room you would have on a 240, i know my strut bar rubs on the hood as it is, and its not too far off of the engine block.

FMIC vs. SMIC

unfrgivn

robertzas

A51_RPS13

lessthanjakejohn

Jeebs

robertzas

unfrgivn

robertzas

A51_RPS13

agoura1

angeldrft

robertzas

phast

CrookedH

robertzas

halz

robertzas

angeldrft

robertzas

knightrider

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