So here's the scoop...

I will soon have an FD with an RX6 turbo that I'll be using for street/autoX purposes. Research on this board and elsewhere would dictate that I use an upgraded SMIC for said uses.

However, after reading a bit, I still want the Apex intake, which doesn't fit with the M2 SMIC, which rubs the hood (and may or may not have other fitment issues).

On the other hand, if I go FMIC, I flatten the A/C condenser which doesn't bode well in Texas summers, and have potential overheat problems because of radiator blockage.

Anyone have any suggestions here? I am confused as all hell as to which is -

1. Better for the reliability of my car (including hood-rubbing and such).
2. Better performance-wise for my applications
3. Better for avoiding heatstroke in summer.

All of these are extremely important to me. So...

How bad does a FMIC affect the A/C?
Cooling in summer in hot temps.?
How bad are fitment issues with the M2?
What are good intakes that are not Apex (and not M2 - I don't want an M2)?

Help.

-Eric

 

RX7fashion.com sells an intake similar in style to M2 (aluminum though) that I have heard good things about. I will probably be choosing this intake unless something better comes out in the meantime.

 

I too am looking more and more and the rx7fashion products, the intake looks nice.. I had actually planned on fabbing up my own out the stock airbox, but I may go the other route. The most tempting product they have in my eyes is their Apex core FMIC, which requires zero relocation of the stock radiator/AC condenser position. The downside to this is that you have to remove the stock bumper reinforcement, which sounds a little sketchy to me really.. I REALLY wish XS still made their FMIC kit, I would buy that one in a second. We need to get a group together so they will make another run of them. I know I would prefer a FMIC for my own uses, but I am not about to run out a buy a greddy or apex kit and hack the sh*t out of my FD.. and I don't know much about the Blitz or HKS kits. I have done searches upon searches to read up about the fmic issue.. but I still feel like I don't have a grasp on what is required with each one. I would love to compile a list of fmic kits available, who was experience with them, and what was needed to fit it in.. do a quick webpage with the info so everyone can feel a little more informed about a $1000-2000 purchase. So anyone out there who has installed a fmic or even smic in their FD please PM or email with your experiences good or bad.

Matt
93 touring
mr_wr@hotmail.com

 

doesn't Max Cooper have an RX-6 with pipes custom fitted to what looks like an M2 medium? Maybe you can ask him how that fit goes and where he got his pipes from.

 

I'm using a GReddy FMIC which also requires the A/C condenser to be mounted almost horizontally. I've now mounted two 10" electric fans on the condenser & A/C now works ok. I found that one fan wasn't sufficient to cool the condenser.

 

Hmm...if he's got custom fitted ones, I guess I should talk to him.

PM time.

Thanks!

-E

 

Still waiting to hear back from Max. In the meantime, I'm bumping this up to see if I can get any help from anyone else.

-E

 

You can see pics of my intake/IC setup here:
http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/gallery/mycar/index.html

The "custom" pipe is just my old, straight y-pipe-to-IC pipe with a little length cut off the IC end. It rubs a bit on the hood and I will probably replace it with a better (less bends) custom pipe at some point. But it does work well enough for me now.

I kept the A'PEXi filter that came with the turbo and just used some 90mm Santoprene hose from http://www.mcmaster.com/ to move it over into the "normal" intake area. I plan to build a box for it to get (more) cool air. The normal aftermarket intakes aren't going to work well for a single because they have two smaller pipes and you need one big one. I plan to get the newer-style cone shaped A'PEXi filter for my custom box. I think this is about as good as you could get for a single turbo intake.

For AutoX and street use, you might be happier with a FMIC, provided the other issues (AC, etc.) don't prove to be too much of a challenge. I like the SMIC, but it makes dyno tuning a challenge because it heak soakes without the rush of cool air from the outside (fans don't flow enough). I might try a FMIC in my car some day to see how it works. I am not sure which one, but I would try to make some radiator ducting to make sure the radiator gets sufficient air flow for road racing use.

-Max

 

Thanks Max!

I'm gonna try and take some of this info. with me to the tuner. I just can't see getting the FMIC because of A/C issues. Sweating all over my new seats is NOT good.

If the issues with the A/C and the FMIC aren't that bad, I might try it. Otherwise, I wanna stick to the SMIC.

-E