SSAutochrome TMIC installed today on 03 WRX

Davenow · 06-04-2006, 02:52 AM

WOW, first off, I never expected such a nice TMIC for like 225 shipped (I think thats what he paid, it was less than 240 shipped I know that much)

The only thing that was a bit cheap looking were the side brackets where you bolt it down. The rest was very nice and the core looked great from the inside.

What was included

TMIC itself
Cast elbows with blue silcon hoses (thick walled too, NICE)
T BOLT CLAMPS! This is an awesome feature, they hold better, and they dont rip up your hoses.
Chrome pipes (the ones for the pcv system that go on the top front of the stock tmic) Which look real nice compared to the stock ones.
A free "HKS SSQV" copy bov. The odd part was it didnt include the fitting to mount it on the wrx intercooler, but hey, it was a free toss in, and the fitting is like 20 bucks on ebay.

Fitment was great. It dropped right in. It clears the hood fine, and from looking at the clearance, you should still be able to use the stock splitter, although we didnt.

I have pics, but its too late at night for me to take the time to shrink them down/host them and post them.
Ill get to that in a day or so.

All in all, you absolutely cant get a nicer TMIC for under 400 bucks or so, and you would have to be an idiot to pay more for an STI tmic which from a performance standpoint is hugely inferior to this piece.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

simprezl25 · 06-04-2006, 03:30 AM

yeh i agree, i installed mine a week ago, but what puzzles me is that they dont include an copy hks bov

So-CaliWRX · 06-04-2006, 03:47 AM

i got a hks copy OV in mine although i wont use it.. sellin it on ebay.. how long did it take u to install.. and did u see any power gains?

IIdiceII · 06-04-2006, 05:35 AM

I like the sound of this kit. Im gonna probably end up gettin it soon for the vf39 setup i hope to do!!!!

pics asap!

edit: where did you get that price from? I looked at the ssautochrome website and found that with the bov (which i wont use anyways) is 350...for less than 240 shipped, Ill buy this kit tomorrow lol

gotsol · 06-04-2006, 08:28 AM

any rubbing on the AC lines?

Stealth_RS · 06-04-2006, 09:50 AM

yeah were did you get thath price for that amount i'll sell my STi TMIC and buy that!!

sandiegowrx · 06-04-2006, 12:54 PM

Dave, have you seen the Auto Dynasty tmic? If so, how do they compare?

GetSideways · 06-04-2006, 01:01 PM

Nice...I just did this today also i think t feels good and looks good but im having a slight leaking issue, i dont know if its from the bov, or where the new blue piping connects to the turbo,.....ive messed with it a few times but i think i might need to buy a samco/perrin hose kit bc i think the new tubing is just a hair too big where it meets the turbo......anybody else have this issue>?

Spooled · 06-04-2006, 03:31 PM

Can't wait for the pics.

simprezl25 · 06-04-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by So-CaliWRX

i got a hks copy OV in mine although i wont use it.. sellin it on ebay.. how long did it take u to install.. and did u see any power gains?

well it took me 2 hours since i have installed the real turbo xs fmic on my friend car and i havent yet found any power gain right now becuae i am running the stock turbo for now with ewg. but there is power gainfor sure, its quicker haha if that helps

kcook · 06-04-2006, 05:16 PM

heres my ss auto chrome janx

u have to cut the blue piece. and mine isnt that tight.. and im still hitting target boost... so u dont need to make it super tight

pros :
-quicker spool by a few 100 rpms or more
-better mid range power and some top end

cons :
-had to sell my cusco strut bar, i got an ebay strut bar.. but the fitment is horrible
-the fitment was ok , as u can see its cocked and the throttle body hose is messed up

totalburnout · 06-04-2006, 06:45 PM

Did those cheap silver gaskets fit the cast pipes properly for you?

Both my gaskets don't seem to fit right and they same to go somewhat over the mouth of the hole, which would impede flow.

totalburnout · 06-04-2006, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealth_RS

yeah were did you get thath price for that amount i'll sell my STi TMIC and buy that!!

Search for it on ebay. The starting bid for this intercooler is $199 and shipping is $25.

If you're patient and get an auction no one else is vying for, then you should be able to get everything for $225. Thats what I did.

There's also another intercooler that doesn't come with a BOV thats $145 which is an even better deal. Had I known about that, I would have went with it.

...and to be honest the Auto Dynasty intercooler looks nicer than the ebay TMIC that I have in person. Polished up all nice and it looks like it might actually be bigger.

JRSCCivic98 · 06-04-2006, 07:07 PM

Not exactly OEM fit huh? Personally I'd pay the premium for better fit, but that's just me. I guess you get what you pay for.

[email protected] · 06-04-2006, 07:16 PM

I have had the same TMIC on my 02wrx for 7months or so. It fits w/ the sti front strut bar but it is very tight. It also did not fit with the stock hood scoop spliter so I just took that off. Other than that its a quality peice

turd_ferguson · 06-04-2006, 10:04 PM

Looks pretty nice.. I used an SSAC Wastegate and BOV on my old Turbo Prelude setup and was always impressed with the price/quality ratio.

Amazake · 06-04-2006, 10:07 PM

Dave you noob, why the new thread? There are enough of the ebay tmic fmic threads for you to say "wow it kinda fits"

kcook · 06-04-2006, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totalburnout

Did those cheap silver gaskets fit the cast pipes properly for you?

Both my gaskets don't seem to fit right and they same to go somewhat over the mouth of the hole, which would impede flow.

yeah they fit. i put them on wrong the first time and it sounded like i had a supercharger lol! no leaks now

totalburnout · 06-05-2006, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRSCCivic98

Not exactly OEM fit huh? Personally I'd pay the premium for better fit, but that's just me. I guess you get what you pay for.

Yeah pay twice as much, no strike that - pay three times as much...and still don't have OEM fit because that big of intercooler was never meant to be there from the manufacturer.

Things like this are said by idiotic naysayers. You can have it custom fitted and custom brackets made for cheaper than going with even the cheapest of the name brand intercoolers like helix (which still has fitment issues and isn't as large, so probably doesn't function as well).

Congrats on being an unsavy consumer.

totalburnout · 06-05-2006, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcook

yeah they fit. i put them on wrong the first time and it sounded like i had a supercharger lol! no leaks now

If you have a picture of how the gaskets fit it would be appreciated. Mine only seemed to go on one way and even then didn't fit right.

WRXRallyBlue · 06-05-2006, 02:48 AM

I installed one of these, as well. Throttle response and boost response are improved so significantly it's like driving another car, so much smoother.

Eta1405 · 06-05-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GetSideways

Nice...I just did this today also i think t feels good and looks good but im having a slight leaking issue, i dont know if its from the bov, or where the new blue piping connects to the turbo,.....ive messed with it a few times but i think i might need to buy a samco/perrin hose kit bc i think the new tubing is just a hair too big where it meets the turbo......anybody else have this issue>?

I'm having the same issue. The blue silicone hose is a little bit too big over the turbo outlet. When I get on it there's the turbo whine but it's also making this whooshing sound when it starts spooling. I'm planning to take it back off sometime this week and double check all the hose connections on the y-pipe and probably seal them with a gasket sealant. I really don't think that whooshing sound is supposed to be there. It almost sounds like a jet engine.

TedMeyer · 06-05-2006, 12:16 PM

I got the SSautochrome model (also for $230 shipped), and I actually got TWO BOVs with it -- the HKS clone and another more standard one.

This has been covered ad nauseum on in the "REVIEWS" forum, but mine hooked up absolutely perfectly. No issues whatsoever.

For those who haven't been following the REVIEWS thread, there is a second generation eBay TMIC that has redesigned brackets that fit with no modifications. The only things I did were:
1) dremeled the silver gaskets on the bottom of the TMIC -- as mentioned earlier, they overlap 4-5mm over the opening.
2) I did some very rudimentary PnP'ing with the dremel to remove some of the casting marks and smooth the cast pipe fittings. I didn't do the TMIC itself, as I was worried about getting debris in the intercooler.
3) The stock IC-TB coupling hose is about .5" too short. The stocker will fit and seal fine, but I wouldn't want to leave it that way indefinitely. Most folks are ordering 3" long x 2.75" ID hoses for a better safety margin. Trim to fit.
4) The stock shroud is way, way, way too small for this IC. I removed mine and am shopping around for a replacement or homebrew solution that won't look too ghetto.

I wonder if the noise problem people are reporting is really a leak or not. Everyone seems to have the same issue, but to my ears it's just a VERY loud TMIC -- it doesn't sound like a leak to me, and my boost seems to be rock-stable. I'm thinking the bar/plate design, very rough inlets, f'ed up gaskets (if you didn't trim them), etc, are just combining to amplify the turbo noise enough to get that wonderful jet-engine sound. Wouldn't we be having other problems if there was a leaky hose connection?

Ted

JRSCCivic98 · 06-05-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totalburnout

Yeah pay twice as much, no strike that - pay three times as much...and still don't have OEM fit because that big of intercooler was never meant to be there from the manufacturer.

Things like this are said by idiotic naysayers. You can have it custom fitted and custom brackets made for cheaper than going with even the cheapest of the name brand intercoolers like helix (which still has fitment issues and isn't as large, so probably doesn't function as well).

Congrats on being an unsavy consumer.

Tell me where in my post I stated that other "aftermarket" I/C have OEM fit. I didn't did I... There are other aftermarket I/C that have way better fit then that... APC may be huge, but at least it lines up correctly.... and that's just one if you have to know a name.

Gota love how cheap people buy cheap isht and then wonder why it's not perfect. Anyone can sit down at a welding bench and put together an I/C for a car by using universal cores, but the companies that actually do the nessacery R&D for fit and finish are the ones that make quality stuff. Not all companies that do R&D have the perfect fit, so keep that one in mind also. There is a finite line between making something that's perfect and making something that's half-assed. Also, if you think Helix is a good namebrand when it comes to I/C quality you're kidding yourself.

totalburnout · 06-05-2006, 12:51 PM

How much is the APC unit again?

Whats that - like $1200?

Oh thats right, you can get 5 of these intercoolers for the "better fitment" of the APC unit. Congratulations!

If you took up the ability to read, you'd also learn that as I said and the gentleman above said, along with everyone in the 30+ page review, there are no longer any fitment issues with the SSautochrome version.

06-04-2006, 02:52 AM	#1
Davenow Scooby Guru Member#: 23676 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: de_dust and Orgrimar Vehicle: .	SSAutochrome TMIC installed today on 03 WRX WOW, first off, I never expected such a nice TMIC for like 225 shipped (I think thats what he paid, it was less than 240 shipped I know that much) The only thing that was a bit cheap looking were the side brackets where you bolt it down. The rest was very nice and the core looked great from the inside. What was included TMIC itself Cast elbows with blue silcon hoses (thick walled too, NICE) T BOLT CLAMPS! This is an awesome feature, they hold better, and they dont rip up your hoses. Chrome pipes (the ones for the pcv system that go on the top front of the stock tmic) Which look real nice compared to the stock ones. A free "HKS SSQV" copy bov. The odd part was it didnt include the fitting to mount it on the wrx intercooler, but hey, it was a free toss in, and the fitting is like 20 bucks on ebay. Fitment was great. It dropped right in. It clears the hood fine, and from looking at the clearance, you should still be able to use the stock splitter, although we didnt. I have pics, but its too late at night for me to take the time to shrink them down/host them and post them. Ill get to that in a day or so. All in all, you absolutely cant get a nicer TMIC for under 400 bucks or so, and you would have to be an idiot to pay more for an STI tmic which from a performance standpoint is hugely inferior to this piece. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by Davenow; 06-06-2006 at 01:30 PM.

06-04-2006, 05:35 AM	#4
IIdiceII Scooby Guru Member#: 90438 Join Date: Jul 2005 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: New York	I like the sound of this kit. Im gonna probably end up gettin it soon for the vf39 setup i hope to do!!!! pics asap! edit: where did you get that price from? I looked at the ssautochrome website and found that with the bov (which i wont use anyways) is 350...for less than 240 shipped, Ill buy this kit tomorrow lol Last edited by IIdiceII; 06-04-2006 at 05:45 AM.

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06-04-2006, 03:30 AM	#2
simprezl25 Scooby Specialist Member#: 71647 Join Date: Oct 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Maryland Vehicle: 2002 Bug iD	yeh i agree, i installed mine a week ago, but what puzzles me is that they dont include an copy hks bov

06-04-2006, 03:47 AM	#3
So-CaliWRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 114136 Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Clemente Vehicle: 2006 AW 06 WRX B2S 2007 ninja 650	i got a hks copy OV in mine although i wont use it.. sellin it on ebay.. how long did it take u to install.. and did u see any power gains?

06-04-2006, 08:28 AM	#5
gotsol Scooby Specialist Member#: 17346 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: All Over NC Vehicle: 08 Cayman S White	any rubbing on the AC lines?

06-04-2006, 09:50 AM	#6
Stealth_RS Scooby Specialist Member#: 95677 Join Date: Sep 2005 Chapter/Region: South East Location: FL Vehicle: 2004 WRX WRB	yeah were did you get thath price for that amount i'll sell my STi TMIC and buy that!!

06-04-2006, 12:54 PM	#7
sandiegowrx Scooby Newbie Member#: 41743 Join Date: Aug 2003 Chapter/Region: SCIC	Dave, have you seen the Auto Dynasty tmic? If so, how do they compare?

06-04-2006, 01:01 PM	#8
GetSideways Scooby Specialist Member#: 44665 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NY-RI Vehicle: 03 wrx sedan platinum	Nice...I just did this today also i think t feels good and looks good but im having a slight leaking issue, i dont know if its from the bov, or where the new blue piping connects to the turbo,.....ive messed with it a few times but i think i might need to buy a samco/perrin hose kit bc i think the new tubing is just a hair too big where it meets the turbo......anybody else have this issue>?

06-04-2006, 03:31 PM	#9
Spooled Scooby Specialist Member#: 14958 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: Vancouver, BC Vehicle: 1991 318is Silver	Can't wait for the pics.

06-04-2006, 05:16 PM	#11
kcook Scooby Newbie Member#: 78074 Join Date: Dec 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: NoVA Vehicle: 2005 STi Aspen White	heres my ss auto chrome janx u have to cut the blue piece. and mine isnt that tight.. and im still hitting target boost... so u dont need to make it super tight pros : -quicker spool by a few 100 rpms or more -better mid range power and some top end cons : -had to sell my cusco strut bar, i got an ebay strut bar.. but the fitment is horrible -the fitment was ok , as u can see its cocked and the throttle body hose is messed up

06-04-2006, 06:45 PM	#12
totalburnout Scooby Specialist Member#: 72861 Join Date: Oct 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: North Jersey	Did those cheap silver gaskets fit the cast pipes properly for you? Both my gaskets don't seem to fit right and they same to go somewhat over the mouth of the hole, which would impede flow.

06-04-2006, 07:07 PM	#14
JRSCCivic98 Scooby Specialist Member#: 67080 Join Date: Jul 2004	Not exactly OEM fit huh? Personally I'd pay the premium for better fit, but that's just me. I guess you get what you pay for.

06-04-2006, 07:16 PM	#15
[email protected] Scooby Newbie Member#: 66681 Join Date: Jul 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Charleston, SC & PA Vehicle: 98 bmw m3 & s2k techno violet	I have had the same TMIC on my 02wrx for 7months or so. It fits w/ the sti front strut bar but it is very tight. It also did not fit with the stock hood scoop spliter so I just took that off. Other than that its a quality peice

06-04-2006, 10:04 PM	#16
turd_ferguson Scooby Newbie Member#: 114609 Join Date: May 2006 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Logan, OH	Looks pretty nice.. I used an SSAC Wastegate and BOV on my old Turbo Prelude setup and was always impressed with the price/quality ratio.

06-04-2006, 10:07 PM	#17
Amazake Scooby Specialist Member#: 9889 Join Date: Sep 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: 12.94 best ET 105.58 best trap	Dave you noob, why the new thread? There are enough of the ebay tmic fmic threads for you to say "wow it kinda fits"

06-05-2006, 02:48 AM	#21
WRXRallyBlue Scooby Specialist Member#: 48831 Join Date: Nov 2003 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Reno Vehicle: 2002 Protuned Wagon Bugeyes Forever	I installed one of these, as well. Throttle response and boost response are improved so significantly it's like driving another car, so much smoother.

06-05-2006, 12:16 PM	#23
TedMeyer Scooby Specialist Member#: 57414 Join Date: Mar 2004 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Arizona Vehicle: 2002 WRX sedan Silver. Now w/ 100% 18G!	I got the SSautochrome model (also for $230 shipped), and I actually got TWO BOVs with it -- the HKS clone and another more standard one. This has been covered ad nauseum on in the "REVIEWS" forum, but mine hooked up absolutely perfectly. No issues whatsoever. For those who haven't been following the REVIEWS thread, there is a second generation eBay TMIC that has redesigned brackets that fit with no modifications. The only things I did were: 1) dremeled the silver gaskets on the bottom of the TMIC -- as mentioned earlier, they overlap 4-5mm over the opening. 2) I did some very rudimentary PnP'ing with the dremel to remove some of the casting marks and smooth the cast pipe fittings. I didn't do the TMIC itself, as I was worried about getting debris in the intercooler. 3) The stock IC-TB coupling hose is about .5" too short. The stocker will fit and seal fine, but I wouldn't want to leave it that way indefinitely. Most folks are ordering 3" long x 2.75" ID hoses for a better safety margin. Trim to fit. 4) The stock shroud is way, way, way too small for this IC. I removed mine and am shopping around for a replacement or homebrew solution that won't look too ghetto. I wonder if the noise problem people are reporting is really a leak or not. Everyone seems to have the same issue, but to my ears it's just a VERY loud TMIC -- it doesn't sound like a leak to me, and my boost seems to be rock-stable. I'm thinking the bar/plate design, very rough inlets, f'ed up gaskets (if you didn't trim them), etc, are just combining to amplify the turbo noise enough to get that wonderful jet-engine sound. Wouldn't we be having other problems if there was a leaky hose connection? Ted

06-05-2006, 12:51 PM	#25
totalburnout Scooby Specialist Member#: 72861 Join Date: Oct 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: North Jersey	How much is the APC unit again? Whats that - like $1200? Oh thats right, you can get 5 of these intercoolers for the "better fitment" of the APC unit. Congratulations! If you took up the ability to read, you'd also learn that as I said and the gentleman above said, along with everyone in the 30+ page review, there are no longer any fitment issues with the SSautochrome version.