|
![]() |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (2)
Member#: 29516
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Denver
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon Former GC O.G. |
![]() There was another thread on here that left a lot of people with questions about the Ebay TMIC and the owner without air conditioning. I carefully read that entire thread and decided to buy the ebay TMIC for $240 shipped. It did not come with any hosing so I also purchased a Samco kit on ebay which was $90 shipped. I also had to do the y pipe extention mod found here: http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3669 The pipe required cost me $2. So my grand total was $332 for a new TMIC setup.
Here is a pic of the TMIC and the Samco when I first got them: ![]() The welds and overall finish were as good/ if not better than the other TMICs on the market that I have seen. I was really stoked to put it in! Install took around an hour for several reasons. From the last thread, I knew there were going to be two main issues: the AC line against the firewall, and the brackets that held the stock TMIC in place. Luckily I have a buddy who is a seasoned Subaru mechanic. Here are some rough instructions that should get you through it. Sorry I didn't take pics. -Remove the stock TMIC -Remove the elbows from the back of the stocker and put them on the new TMIC. -Bend the CRAP out of your AC Line!!!! It is aluminum and very flexible. It is crucial that this thing never touches the TMIC. I also used a 3/4 inch rubber pipe insulator to further prevent rubbing. Read the other thread to find out how much AC work costs. -With the AC line out of the way, lower the new TMIC into place and slide your modified Samcos onto the turbo and TB. -Now you will see that the driver's side bracket lines up fine with the new TMIC but the passenger's side is hoplessly off. -Bolt the TMIC to the driver's side bracket -You will notice that the new TMIC rest on the passenger side bracket. I used a piece of spare rubber and put it between the two so that it wouldn't rub but would still give it support. -Bolt on your BOV, you will have to use slightly shorter 10mm bolts because the stock ones are two long. This wasn't a problem for me because I seem to have lots of spare Subaru bolts sitting around my garage. If not, go to a hardware store for this or canabalize 2 of them off another part of your car. -Screw on the oil breather lines to the front of the TMIC -Remove the stock air diverter from under the scoop on your hood, it won't fit! -When you close your hood you will notice a small rubbing issue against the hood on the driver's side. There is a seemingly unnecessary extra sheet of metal here that holds your windshield sprayer line. I cut that piece off with some sheers. It doesn't affect the washer line at all. -Now you are good to go. I would reccommend making a shroud of some sort with foam or garage door moulding so that the TMIC is sealed with the scoop. -Also you should have a heat shield over your turbo, I have modded my stocker to fit over my bellmouth. The new TMIC hangs over the turbo quite a bit and heat soak could be a real issue without a shield. -Oh, and your strut bar won't fit anymore but it was only for show anyways as the towers are so close to the firewall. Here are some finished pics: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() A pic of the stock setup for reference: ![]() And a pic of my car: ![]() Driving impressions with this new setup are as follows: -Car feels more powerful above 4k RPM -I gained .4-.5 psi of boost (I think this is attributable to the less restrictive bar and plate design) -The intercooler is cool to the touch after very hard driving whereas the old one would be hot -I have the stock turbo still but this new TMIC has more than cleared the path for future mods, including a new turbo. I also feel a little safer cranking the boost up a bit with a cooler charge.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (15)
Member#: 79983
Join Date: Jan 2005
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: va beach
Vehicle:2005 STI Aspen White |
![]() i bought the same one about a month ago but havent put it in yet, i figured on the pipe extension but havent gone to the store yet to get some piping, im lazy.....
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (69)
Member#: 88676
Join Date: Jun 2005
Chapter/Region:
BAIC
Location: North of SCIC
|
![]() I'm a scoob noob,
What are those two black lines that run parallel over the bottom of the intercooler? How close was the filament to keeping the strut bar on? Any modification to keep the strut bar intact? Do you feel a larger BOV such as the RFL will hit the roof since it is angled in that direction or do you feel there is more room to clear a bigger bov? Did you install the weather stripping or seal for the intercooler? How would you attach it to the roof without bolts? Sorry for all the questions, as you can see I am very interested in this setup. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (2)
Member#: 29516
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Denver
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon Former GC O.G. |
![]() Quote:
-The end tank on top of the intercooler was about 1/4 inch from the strut bar. I may have been able to leave the strut bar but but when you rev the engine it would barely touch the bar which is not good. I am going to shave the bar down on the bottom to see if I can use it again. -The RFL or other BOV would not hit the hood. The angle and location for the BOV is almost identicle to the stock TMIC -To seal the TMIC to the scoop, I made a shroud using flashing (aluminum sheet metal available at Home Depot). I used the mounting points from the stock shroud. Once this was on, I used a clear silicon adhesive to attach weather stripping around the bottom of the scoop. Trial by error, it takes a couple of tries to get it to line up perfectly once the hood is closed. This setup almost looks factory and has worked so far. Oh and it cost ~$5. Hope that helps. I'm normally not into writing such lengthy threads but I am very happy with this intercooler and I wanted to show all the haters that not all good stuff has a name brand on it. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (2)
Member#: 29516
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Denver
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon Former GC O.G. |
![]() I see them all the time on ebay still. Most say "Buy Now $350" but be patient and you will find one for $200+ shipping.
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (2)
Member#: 29516
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Denver
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon Former GC O.G. |
![]() Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (2)
Member#: 29516
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Denver
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon Former GC O.G. |
![]() Quote:
Kastle on Scoobymods removed his entire shroud as well. I couldn't find that thread but its on there somewhere. I will have pics of my scoop/ shroud setup in a bit. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (2)
Member#: 29516
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Denver
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon Former GC O.G. |
![]() Here you guys go: $199, zero bids
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Top-M...93227525QQrdZ1 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Scooby Newbie
Member Sales Rating: (7)
Member#: 83727
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Brookhaven, Pa
Vehicle:1993 Hyundai Accent 2dr |
![]() Mine should be in tom. and I will put it in as soon as I get home from work. I can't wait. I figure with the money I saved on this one I can feel saucey when I get some suspension.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Vendor
Vendor Sales Rating: (8)
Member#: 43552
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: 6917 Ritchie Hwy Glen Burnie
Vehicle::o) Need Parts Now? |
![]() Just proves that you can find a good honest deal on ebay. Intercoolers really aren't a very complicated part. I hope everything works out good for you.
Jackie
__________________
Jackie Wilkins Subaru Parts Direct: 410-689-8061 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (2)
Member#: 29516
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Denver
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon Former GC O.G. |
![]() Quote:
Last edited by D-Speed 2.5; 08-16-2005 at 10:28 AM. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (2)
Member#: 29516
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Denver
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon Former GC O.G. |
![]() Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (2)
Member#: 29516
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Denver
Vehicle:2005 WRX Wagon Former GC O.G. |
![]() Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 |
Scooby Specialist
Member Sales Rating: (1)
Member#: 69663
Join Date: Sep 2004
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Midland, TX
Vehicle:2004 WRX Java Black Pearl |
![]() Been looking into this. Thanks for being a guinea pig and doing a write up.
Just FYI, I know a guy who worked at Subaru R&D on the 04 STi. He said, at one point, they welded a bar onto the front strut towers. Made absolutly no difference. So that strut bar really is for show, so I wouldn't worry about it not fitting. You can always sell it to some unsuspecting n00b ![]() Again, thanks. Anyone tried the ebay FMICs?? |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
the ebay tmic revisited | anthonyrb98 | Car Part Reviews | 67 | 10-21-2008 03:00 AM |
Gasket Match the Ebay tmic inlet , Do it NOW!!! | Sausage | Factory 2.5L Turbo Powertrain (EJ Series Factory 2.5L Turbo) | 3 | 06-18-2007 12:01 AM |
So which eBay TMIC is the best? | disque71 | Factory 2.0L Turbo Powertrain (EJ Series Factory 2.0L Turbo) | 4 | 10-23-2006 05:46 PM |
What's the best ebay TMIC? | digitalmethods | Car Part Reviews | 1 | 07-20-2006 06:39 PM |
Anyone moved from 04 STI intercooler to the ebay TMIC? | nos | Factory 2.0L Turbo Powertrain (EJ Series Factory 2.0L Turbo) | 1 | 11-28-2005 01:21 AM |