I am in the process of selling my 92 Eagle Talon TSi AWD coupe. I thought it would be a good idea to subscribe the talon/Eclipse/DSM sites and advertise my nightmare...er Talon there. I downloaded some of the latest digests and there is a heated debate regarding the 02 WRX. It seems that a lot of DSM
guys are jumping ship and buying the WRX. The argument is if the boxer engine is more efficient than the inline Mitsu 2.0 liter. A lot of DSM guys are pissed that Mitsu dropped the ball on the current Eclipse by not offering a turbo or AWD like the good'ol days. Some of the guys are saying "Wait for the Evo, don't go!" Until Mitsu can find a way to put twin intercoolers in the fenders, the current Evo won't be coming for a while. The DOT does not allow front mounted intercoolers on production cars.

All I can say is.....GO SUBARU!

ARG

Do you know why they don't allow FMIC? Seems to me that it is just like a radiator, no?

p@

something along the lines of it won't pass the 5mph bumper test with the FMIC

I am DSM all the way Man. I like the new WRX but I dislike the Body. I plan on building a 2.5RS in the near future with 2.0L closed deck SB off of a Legacy Turbo, while utilizing a MY98 DOHC Head. I want to run a BIG 16G Turbo set up as well. Don't count on me getting rid of my Talon! That Car kicks serious Ass!

Elliott****

I don't think that is right about production cars not able to use a FMIC. Doesn't the Audi S4 use a FMIC and possibly the 225hp TT? I think it just has to pass the DOT crash tests with the FMIC and thus far they cannot.

I could be mistaken.

I know that the 1.8L Turbo's on the VW Golf's and Jetta and the Audi TT (probably a safe bet that the A4 is the same) have the intercooler in the front bumper where the fog lights would normally go.

So, it is probably not an all out ban on FMIC, but Mitsu is have trouble engineering it. It took Subaru years to bring over the wrx, so it is just a matter of time for Mitsu now. Especially since Subaru proved there is a market, there is nothing stopping Mitsu.

Can anyone tell me why the DOT should care whether a FMIC gets banged up in a front-end collision? There's no safety issue as far as I know.

I currently have a TT 225 Quattro. I had been waiting for the WRX but got tired of waiting. Shortly after I bought the Audi, Subaru announced the WRX. I may trade in for the STi version. As for the 5MPH test, I think it has to sustain an impact without damage to anything but the bumper. As for the FMIC the TT has 2 small intercoolers and there are FMIC's available, and people are making the switch with good results.
Bobby H
'01 225 TTQ (lots of mods)

At roughly $700-$1000 per front mount intercooler, any damage(bends in the fins) will cause inefficiency to the turbocharging system on the stock motor, especially over time. Take a look at any 3 year old vehicle with daily driven use, the radiator fins are bent to hell, now just imagine fragile intercooler fins in the same location. In addition the typical "average joe or sally driver" not cooling down the turbo properly or maintaining a turbo motor properly can and will lead to possible engine & system damage and excessive warranty replacements. Mitsubishi does not want to release the Lancer Evo to the U.S. which will lead to $$ out of their pocket for excessive warranty replacement parts. Just imagine owners and especially enthusiasts taking advantage of their warranty to replace the front mount intercooler every time a rock or bug hits it. Now I do not know how this issue is handled in Japan, enlighten me if anyone knows.
Anywho: Safety=DOT=Politics=$ The typical automotive business cycle.

The DOT argument is over comprimising (cutting) the front bumper beam to make room for the FMIC. In the DSM we don't have much room up there, I guess the lancer is the same.

I didn't dump my talon, I am getting ready to rebuild the motor in the next few weeks. But the talon may be for sale when the BMW M3 SMG gets released.:)

My 85 Volvo had a FMIC stock, though it was a HIGHLY inneffecient unit and as large as my radiator, it managed to squeeze out 165hp out of that 2.1L engine with the TD03. LOL yeah, the 80's weren't too effeceint with their turbos. :)

I think there is limit to how much damage the crash can cost. I don't know the amount, but I am sure a FMIC will raise the cost too much.

-Anders