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Old 04-19-2011, 10:01 PM   #1
Seventh
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Default Install and review of SeeeeeYa's BP TMIC kit

As many of you 08+ WRX owners are aware, the weakness of the stock TMIC is the end tanks. Crimped on by aluminum tabs, they start to open up over time, and unless you are constantly monitoring them and re-crimping them with vice-grips, you run the risk of boost leak, or worse yet, blowing the tank off completely, potentially leaving you stranded.

Up until recently, the only other option has been to invest $600-$800+ in an aftermarket bar-and-plate TMIC, or go the ugly (and messy) route, and goober the seams up with epoxy.

Not too long ago, our good friend SeeeeeYa devised this simple, cheap, and very effective method for maintaining the integrity of the stock TMIC. The original thread can be found here:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2106384

The idea behind the Bullet-Proof TMIC mod is simple. Basically it's somewhat of a V-band clamp for the intercooler seams. I originally saw the thread and decided I must have it. I went to Home Depot the next day and within a few hours had my own version fabricated and installed. My original DIY kit is also pictured in the original thread on page two.

SeeeeeYa then decided to make a handful of these "kits" to his own strict specifications and offered one up to me. I got it in the mail yesterday and took some pictures of how it looks.




First thing I noticed was it put my version to shame. The tolerances are exact, and he even included install instructions. My original kit didn't fit nearly as well, I had sliced a short section of heater hose and wrapped it around the BPV recirc pipe because it rubbed a little, his was clear of it. Plus while in my version I had left the U-channel in it's virgin form, his was cut down so that it fit perfectly on the seams, applying equal pressure on all three sides of the seam.






As you can see in the pic, I also took the opportunity to install DEI adhesive-backed heat barrier to the underside of the turbo-side tank seam. I used the rest of it to cover the bottom side of the intake snorkel to block it from the heat of the radiator, I also wrapped the cyl #3 intake runner behind the turbo coolant reservoir. I figure if I've lowered my IATs by even a few degrees consistently then I'm happy.

While I had everything apart I also modded the stock BPV valve with an appropriately sized screw to block the small port on the bottom, and a smaller 1/16" hole on the side for venting and to dampen the oscillations of the valve. I then secured a small piece of fabric over the hole with rtv silicone, so that in the unlikely event that it does fail and gulp air through the small hole, at least it will be somewhat filtered and not suck in dirt. (I can't take credit for those ideas though)




In the realm of effective, reliability improving mods, it doesn't get much better than this. If you're like most people, and you're not planning to go much farther than a reliable stage 2 setup on your 08+ WRX and don't want to spend several hundred dollars on an aftermarket TMIC, the BP TMIC mod is a must-have. If you're handy with tools, you can make your own for around $15. If not, you can beg SeeeeeYa to make you one.
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Last edited by Seventh; 04-19-2011 at 10:08 PM.
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Old 04-22-2011, 01:17 PM   #2
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Excellent!
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Old 04-23-2011, 08:24 AM   #3
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I want!
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Old 05-16-2011, 04:18 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh View Post
finally took my TMIC off today. gave it a good cleaning while i was at it.

have to say, this is much easier than on my 02 WRX.

and looked for this little hole on the BPV. surprisingly, mine doesn't have it.
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Old 05-16-2011, 04:56 PM   #5
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The hole is part of the mod. You block the small vent hole on the underside of the BPV and put one in the side as shown.
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Old 05-16-2011, 05:11 PM   #6
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It's kind of ridiculous what you 08+ guys have to go through to get your stock parts to function reliably.
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Old 05-16-2011, 05:31 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00ter View Post
It's kind of ridiculous what you 08+ guys have to go through to get your stock parts to function reliably.
I hear ya, I'm not a big fan of the plastic parts, but I'll gladly spend an evening or two modding plastic parts before I spend money replacing them for minimal gains. Aftermarket TMIC+BPV/BOV= $1000 easy. Screw that.
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Old 05-16-2011, 05:34 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00ter View Post
It's kind of ridiculous what you 08+ guys have to go through to get your stock parts to function reliably.
They work fine at stock boost levels which is probably all Subaru cares about.
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Old 05-16-2011, 05:34 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh View Post
I hear ya, I'm not a big fan of the plastic parts, but I'll gladly spend an evening or two modding plastic parts before I spend money replacing them for minimal gains. Aftermarket TMIC+BPV/BOV= $1000 easy. Screw that.
Agreed. If the mod works it's definitely the way to go for you. It's just a shame that you can't take it to the dealer and make them upgrade these sub-par parts for free.


Quote:
Originally Posted by black318i View Post
They work fine at stock boost levels which is probably all Subaru cares about.
Really? I thought I read some threads of this issue happening under stock boost as well. If it is just with higher boost then I suppose the dealer won't care at all.
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Old 05-16-2011, 05:39 PM   #10
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my car is bone-stock right now.

i think here's proof that the TMIC end tanks are beginning to separate.

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Old 05-16-2011, 05:46 PM   #11
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As far as I know, but I could be wrong. The Legacy has been using these since 05 and I've never heard of a failure at stock boost. I think the 08+ WRX target boost is only .5-1 psi more than the Legacy. Gil has your car ever run more boost?
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Old 05-16-2011, 05:48 PM   #12
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Love those plastic tanked TMIC's lol APS FMIC all the way baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those ends arent opening up unless you put some gunpowder in there.
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Old 05-16-2011, 05:52 PM   #13
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Wow Gil, definitely time for a new TMIC. Even on stock boost, eh?
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Old 05-16-2011, 06:18 PM   #14
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Thats what I recommend an FMIC...mucho better than an aftermarket TMIC at about the same price. Got my FMS FMIC for $650 and fitment is awesome.
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Old 05-16-2011, 06:24 PM   #15
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Thats one great idea, and a neat kit he has put together!
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Old 05-16-2011, 06:43 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh View Post
Wow Gil, definitely time for a new TMIC. Even on stock boost, eh?
After a little TLC... plus some vice grips and a little modding , that TMIC will be fine.

You can see where the 90* bend of those tabs has opened up, allowing the end tank to move away from the core and seeping oil as it also leaks a little boost. Given some more time the tabs straighten even more, the end tank finally separates, the O-ring seal blows out and you're dead in the water. Gil caught it in time. That is slightly less separated than my WRX's was when I caught it, although mine was just after going Stg2.

Looking at the IC and leaning over to touch it, leaning as usual on the plastic intake manifold, I am happy with my plastic parts. They're far cooler than any of the metal around them. The IC's core is always cool, sometimes cold, to the touch. It works well.
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Old 05-16-2011, 07:19 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by black318i View Post
As far as I know, but I could be wrong. The Legacy has been using these since 05 and I've never heard of a failure at stock boost. I think the 08+ WRX target boost is only .5-1 psi more than the Legacy. Gil has your car ever run more boost?
not as far as i know. i'm the third owner.

brian, who had it before me, kept it stock. and from my poking around, i believe that this car was never modded. you know how you can pick up some tell-tale signs from bits and pieces being taken off and replaced etc? none such evidence that i can see.
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Old 05-16-2011, 07:35 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeeeeeYa View Post
After a little TLC... plus some vice grips and a little modding , that TMIC will be fine.

You can see where the 90* bend of those tabs has opened up, allowing the end tank to move away from the core and seeping oil as it also leaks a little boost. Given some more time the tabs straighten even more, the end tank finally separates, the O-ring seal blows out and you're dead in the water. Gil caught it in time. That is slightly less separated than my WRX's was when I caught it, although mine was just after going Stg2.

Looking at the IC and leaning over to touch it, leaning as usual on the plastic intake manifold, I am happy with my plastic parts. They're far cooler than any of the metal around them. The IC's core is always cool, sometimes cold, to the touch. It works well.
I was just thinking maybe the seal has been compromised.

Good point on the plastic, too.
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Old 05-16-2011, 11:59 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seventh View Post
I hear ya, I'm not a big fan of the plastic parts, but I'll gladly spend an evening or two modding plastic parts before I spend money replacing them for minimal gains. Aftermarket TMIC+BPV/BOV= $1000 easy. Screw that.
Aftermarket TMIC, minimal gains eh? Perhaps performance/$$ ratio not as good compared to other typical bolt on items.... but there are many benefits to an aftermarket TMIC, even more so than the aftermarket intake route.For the 08+, longevity is just 1 benefit.
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Old 05-17-2011, 06:57 AM   #20
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:yawn:

are we done beating this dead horse?
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Old 05-18-2011, 07:42 PM   #21
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72 degree dyno room, 40% humidity, my stock TMIC couldnt keep the boost air cold and was knocking at only 17psi peak and 18 degrees of timing. doesnt matter if you mod it, its to small and not enough surface area to cool higher PSI air plan and simple.
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Old 05-18-2011, 08:46 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by synolimit View Post
72 degree dyno room, 40% humidity, my stock TMIC couldnt keep the boost air cold and was knocking at only 17psi peak and 18 degrees of timing. doesnt matter if you mod it, its to small and not enough surface area to cool higher PSI air plan and simple.
I've said this before... this TMIC is just fine as a DD, not a dyno queen. It isn't possible to replicate the airflow the IC gets on the road on a dyno. Period. So stop the comparison. Apples vs oranges.

Anyone... anyone, who has driven the car hard on the road at that temp can tell you that it will work just fine. Stop and check it and it will not be hot, it will feel cool and there won't be any pulled timing.

However, you have convinced me you need either a VERY large TMIC, but better, I think a really big front mount. Yes, I think a front mount would be perfect for your application and power goals.

Thankfully, I'm in a different place and am enjoying my car just like it is.
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Old 05-23-2011, 12:44 PM   #23
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I installed this mod on my 09 WRX. Its great and now I have no worries about the stock TMIC.
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Old 05-23-2011, 01:54 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FACTION95 View Post
I installed this mod on my 09 WRX. Its great and now I have no worries about the stock TMIC.
Some people who agree :

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthrea...22#post3401122
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Old 05-23-2011, 05:27 PM   #25
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Quote:
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Wow, that's a very nice kit he made!
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