How to protect your FMIC?
 

Ok, so, most of us seem to aspire to get a FMIC for our FDs. They cool badass, they're extremely functional, and they give our checkbooks a serious workout. Since spending all that money, how do you protect that thing from damage on the road? I can't even fathom installing that thing in the front end without some sort of protection from rocks, dirt, bugs, etc.

So, what's the deal? It's a lot of coin to throw away if that IC gets messed up...

Some people put that mesh in front of their IC, but I think it's more for looks than protection. I guess there's not really a good way of protecting it, otherwise it wouldn't be able to get the air it needs.

Most of us DIEHARD guys don't need no stinkin protection for our FMIC! :p

But seriously, you can put on a grille type thing in front of your front mount. But get the THICK gauge grille, none of that chicken wire sh!t. It won't protect the intercooler 100%, but it'll keep the BIG rocks from damaging it.

Best thing is to drive where there are CLEAR dirt-free roads, no rally's or off-road excursions. :D

I've a front mount on my car forever and I have a ding or two but you'd have to be going Close to 150 or so for a rock to do any real damage. Unless to hit a brick but your just sol for that.

You know, I"m really mostly concerned about the little rocks and crap that tend to get caught in the fins. IF you've ever looked at the radiator on a car with a reasonably open grille, you'll see all kinds of shit in there...bugs, rocks, foxtails, etc., all of which either clog up the fins, or bend them all to hell impeding airflow. The big rocks are really a bitch, but then again, those can really mess up the car (hood, windshield, etc.), so not much a little grille will do for those.

Anyone have a source for this grille material? I'm looking to get something that's reasonably good looking, but will not impede airflow too much. I guess it's possible to install it such that you can easily remove it for track use...

hmmm
 

I am working on a under-car mounted intercooler idea, I have it ready for building, I just need a turbo motor and a chassis I can cut up =/

my under car will rock...no worries about rocks (less than FMIC)

Don't need to worry about water...dust should pass through...only concern is mud....but who drives a TII in mud?

Source for wire cloth, perf plate, etc.
 

mcnichols.com

After looking at how beatup my oil cooler is, I've opted to NOT get a FMIC. Over 1/2 of my fins on it are bent on one direction other than what it should be. I have to sit there one day with a needle and open each and everyone up :rolleyes:

If the FD isn't your daily driver, then dont worry about it, but if it is, then there really isn't much of a way around it. Pebbles will even start moving the fins, and if you get a mesh small enough to hold out pebbles, then you won't be getting the airflow you will want for it.

I know I know, a few manufacturers in yapan sell cars with FMIC, but after seeing my oil cooler look like it went 10 rounds with Tyson, it aint for me :p

just shuddup and lve with it.. I thought of putting something to protect it from big stuff but havent made any final desicions...

Ill live with the rocks hitting it... My radiator is over 8years old and looks very good!

It's just something you have to live with. Every once in a while I'll spend some time pulling pebbles and bugs and straightening fins.

but I think your A/c condenser is in front of your radiator so that's why your radiator is not all bent up.

David

If you're that worried about it, go to a good hardware store and get metal mesh for window screens. It really doesn't restrict airlflow all that much and will catch like everything.

Live with it. Chicken wire nor grille will prevent little rocks or bugs from imbedding into the fins. Window mesh will INCREASE drag in the front and DECREASE air flow, learned the hard way.

Just keep away from trailor trucks or construction vehicles hauling crap, and keep off dirt roads.

I got some stainless steel mesh with about 1/10" openings. Made a grill out of it that fits between the FMIC and behind the nose opening. From a distance it is almost invisiable and the IC can be seen. Up close it stands out.

Anyone ever seen anything thats as stylish and professional looking as the IS300 grille material? That's more of the look I'd like to go for since it's a pretty heft piece of material, looks nice, and probably could be mounted in such a way that you can remove it easily for track use.

I've also seen some mesh grilles for the Audi TT that are made of this steel mesh but have a thicker piece of tubular metal that runs around the perimeter, thus stiffening it up significantly. If nothing like this is currently made for the FD, I just might have to break out the torch and go to town on this. Seems odd that nobody would have thought of it though...