fmic owners road debris proplems

drkramm · 04-10-2009, 06:41 AM

im still torn between tmic and the fmic.. i know i do not NEED it for the setup im going for (td06 18g 8cm) but i really do love the way they look. and also love the fact that they are more efficient. i do not plan to race in any way. no meth..

my one big concern with the fmic is road debris .. i would really be un happy if driving down the road something went through it and sent shrapnel into the engine .. of course i would be equally unhappy with the same object ripping through the rad...

so i guess my big question is

NOT performance wise has anyone had trouble with a fmic getting damaged and causing other problems

was debating on the 2.5 forum or the actual intercooler forum .. but wasn't to sure so feel free to move

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ammo0000 · 04-10-2009, 09:14 AM

Intercoolers are actually very tough. I've read about people getting into accidents, bending the whole intercooler, and not having any leaks so I seriously doubt that any rock or road debris could puncture it sending debris into your engine. IMO though, since you don't ever plan on racing it, I would go TMIC. Yea the FMIC looks pretty and is a bit more efficient, but for your case, it's just not worth the extra money. I'd save that money for something else.

On a side note, since you don't plan on racing it, why put performance parts on it? Is it for show? Also, what turbo are you going to be running with your setup?

06mattsti · 04-10-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drkramm

im still torn between tmic and the fmic.. i know i do not NEED it for the setup im going for (td06 18g 8cm) but i really do love the way they look. and also love the fact that they are more efficient. i do not plan to race in any way. no meth..

my one big concern with the fmic is road debris .. i would really be un happy if driving down the road something went through it and sent shrapnel into the engine .. of course i would be equally unhappy with the same object ripping through the rad...

so i guess my big question is

NOT performance wise has anyone had trouble with a fmic getting damaged and causing other problems

was debating on the 2.5 forum or the actual intercooler forum .. but wasn't to sure so feel free to move

Quote:

Originally Posted by ammo0000

intercoolers are actually very tough. I've read about people getting into accidents, bending the whole intercooler, and not having any leaks so I seriously doubt that any rock or road debris could puncture it sending debris into your engine. IMO though, since you don't ever plan on racing it, I would go TMIC. Yea the FMIC looks pretty and is a bit more efficient, but for your case, it's just not worth the extra money. I'd save that money for something else.

On a side note, since you don't plan on racing it, why put performance parts on it? Is it for show? Also, what turbo are you going to be running with your setup?

reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad. i wouldnt go fmic either in your situation. but i've my perrin for 8 months now, the thing still looks brand new. no problems yet.

07wrx4life · 04-10-2009, 10:05 AM

Save your money for other things for your turbo setup, A STi TMIC would be perfect for your setup and they can be picked up for as cheap as $250, just keep watching Ebay and the Classies on here.

kevinh211 · 04-10-2009, 10:12 AM

some how i've had more damage and bent fins with my tmic then my fmic.

jigga · 04-10-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinh211

some how i've had more damage and bent fins with my tmic then my fmic.

I think you can explain that by the fact that the TMIC is smaller than the FMIC core, making any bent fins show up in a more concentrated area and more obvious to the eye..

drkramm · 04-10-2009, 11:25 AM

well i ended up buying a larger top mount .. after thinking about it i really don't feel like hacking up my bumper

im putting performance parts on my car that isn't raced because i like working on my car i will probably never need the power but its what i do to forget about everything else..

i have my motorcycle to race .. its alot cheaper to fix

fastlanerex · 04-10-2009, 12:12 PM

Ive never had a problem with my front mount and road debris. A few bent fins but thats typical.

Heatsoak is a major problem with the top mount intercooler, hence why you make more power efficiently with a fmic. you sacrifice a little power down low to gain more up top. Its all about personal preference Ive seen cars with tmic hitting high numbers as well. So as long as your not driving on unpaved roads fast I dont see you running into any problems

flycaster · 04-10-2009, 12:26 PM

I took a direct, 40 mph front end deer hit with my FMIC (Perrin), and it didn't hurt it one bit. $6K damage to the car (zero frame involvement, thank god), and the FMIC looked exactly the same as it did before. They're a lot tougher than most people realize.

ryan2.5 · 04-10-2009, 12:28 PM

i have the turbo xs fmic for about a year (all highway driven) and have very minimal bent fins. the turbo xs uses a double row of fins instead of one so they dont bend that easy. My sti top mount looked worse than front. you could always use a grill infront of it?

Le Saboteur · 04-10-2009, 12:56 PM

sounds like you sorted it out, but same here. nothing but a few bent fins here and there. You can always get a mesh grill/screen that won't be too noticeable especially if you get a black FMIC. Personally I like my FMIC WAYYY better than the top mount because of the consistency. I know you aren't planning on racing it, but after a few passes the top mount is heatsoaking so bad it's worthless.

drkramm · 04-10-2009, 01:36 PM

it may be something i do further down the road ..

04-10-2009, 06:41 AM	#1
drkramm Scooby Specialist Member#: 159156 Join Date: Sep 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: catasauqua, pa Vehicle: 2007 wrx wrb	fmic owners road debris proplems im still torn between tmic and the fmic.. i know i do not NEED it for the setup im going for (td06 18g 8cm) but i really do love the way they look. and also love the fact that they are more efficient. i do not plan to race in any way. no meth.. my one big concern with the fmic is road debris .. i would really be un happy if driving down the road something went through it and sent shrapnel into the engine .. of course i would be equally unhappy with the same object ripping through the rad... so i guess my big question is NOT performance wise has anyone had trouble with a fmic getting damaged and causing other problems was debating on the 2.5 forum or the actual intercooler forum .. but wasn't to sure so feel free to move * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by drkramm; 04-10-2009 at 06:43 AM. Reason: wow spelling owned me

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04-10-2009, 09:14 AM	#2
ammo0000 Scooby Specialist Member#: 175401 Join Date: Mar 2008 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Mechanicsville, MD Vehicle: 2007 VF39'd OBP WRX 2008 Blue Kawi ZX-10R	Intercoolers are actually very tough. I've read about people getting into accidents, bending the whole intercooler, and not having any leaks so I seriously doubt that any rock or road debris could puncture it sending debris into your engine. IMO though, since you don't ever plan on racing it, I would go TMIC. Yea the FMIC looks pretty and is a bit more efficient, but for your case, it's just not worth the extra money. I'd save that money for something else. On a side note, since you don't plan on racing it, why put performance parts on it? Is it for show? Also, what turbo are you going to be running with your setup?

04-10-2009, 10:05 AM	#4
07wrx4life Scooby Newbie Member#: 171514 Join Date: Feb 2008 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Bay Area, Cali Vehicle: 07 DOM 3 WRX 352/326 @ 20psi EQ Tuned	Save your money for other things for your turbo setup, A STi TMIC would be perfect for your setup and they can be picked up for as cheap as $250, just keep watching Ebay and the Classies on here.

04-10-2009, 10:12 AM	#5
kevinh211 Scooby Specialist Member#: 56297 Join Date: Mar 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Long Island NY Vehicle: 2004 STi HTA Green 28psi, MSPT Tuned	some how i've had more damage and bent fins with my tmic then my fmic.

04-10-2009, 11:25 AM	#7
drkramm Scooby Specialist Member#: 159156 Join Date: Sep 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: catasauqua, pa Vehicle: 2007 wrx wrb	well i ended up buying a larger top mount .. after thinking about it i really don't feel like hacking up my bumper im putting performance parts on my car that isn't raced because i like working on my car i will probably never need the power but its what i do to forget about everything else.. i have my motorcycle to race .. its alot cheaper to fix

04-10-2009, 12:12 PM	#8
fastlanerex Scooby Specialist Member#: 133391 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Delaware Vehicle: 2004 boosted saleen white	Ive never had a problem with my front mount and road debris. A few bent fins but thats typical. Heatsoak is a major problem with the top mount intercooler, hence why you make more power efficiently with a fmic. you sacrifice a little power down low to gain more up top. Its all about personal preference Ive seen cars with tmic hitting high numbers as well. So as long as your not driving on unpaved roads fast I dont see you running into any problems

04-10-2009, 12:26 PM	#9
flycaster Scooby Specialist Member#: 60142 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bend, OR Vehicle: 2011 WRX Grey	I took a direct, 40 mph front end deer hit with my FMIC (Perrin), and it didn't hurt it one bit. $6K damage to the car (zero frame involvement, thank god), and the FMIC looked exactly the same as it did before. They're a lot tougher than most people realize.

04-10-2009, 12:28 PM	#10
ryan2.5 Scooby Specialist Member#: 167205 Join Date: Dec 2007 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Newport, OR Vehicle: 2004 N.F.D 04 STi. FP Red + Meth	i have the turbo xs fmic for about a year (all highway driven) and have very minimal bent fins. the turbo xs uses a double row of fins instead of one so they dont bend that easy. My sti top mount looked worse than front. you could always use a grill infront of it?

04-10-2009, 12:56 PM	#11
Le Saboteur Scooby Specialist Member#: 142244 Join Date: Mar 2007 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: baltimore Vehicle: 2007 SWP STi WFC #243	sounds like you sorted it out, but same here. nothing but a few bent fins here and there. You can always get a mesh grill/screen that won't be too noticeable especially if you get a black FMIC. Personally I like my FMIC WAYYY better than the top mount because of the consistency. I know you aren't planning on racing it, but after a few passes the top mount is heatsoaking so bad it's worthless.

04-10-2009, 01:36 PM	#12
drkramm Scooby Specialist Member#: 159156 Join Date: Sep 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: catasauqua, pa Vehicle: 2007 wrx wrb	it may be something i do further down the road ..