Hi all,

I'm in the market for an intercooler and am currently deciding between a SMIC and FMIC - I don't have the money or the power for a VMIC.

My question is: how much lag does a FMIC introduce over the factory SMIC? How much does the responsiveness suffer? Is it very noticeable?

I'd prefer an aftermarket SMIC but am having trouble locating one in very good/as new condition. I have a Greddy LS FMIC on order with Nengun which I'll cancel if I can find a suitable replacement in time, otherwise that's what I'll be upgrading to.

Currently running factory S8 twins. The exhaust has been mildly upgraded by the previous owner (not sure of the specifics); Apexi intake, Apexi PFC, and Koyo radiator are on the way and will be installed together with the intercooler. I'm aware that a FMIC will complicate the thermal environment - just asking for opinions/experience with lag/response.

Thanks for reading!

 

In theory, you should have more, but in practice I haven't seen it. I have a Blitz front mount and have had an Apexi before that, with the 99 spec twins on my car response is nearly instantaneous.

I will say I'm not a huge fan of the Greddy front mount. It's a nice price, and it works, but you have to really hack up the front of the car to make it work. The Blitz and Apexi need very little modification to the front of the car if any.

Also, a V-mount is a great option as well. Greddy's V-mount kit is fantastic.

Dale

 

There should be a measurable difference as the core gets larger and larger.


However...unless you are actually measuring the difference you will probably never notice it.

 

Would be interesting to know if anyone has measured this?

 

The Greddy FMIC will work fine if you don't mind doing some slight modification to the front of the car. I bought a new Blitz FMIC kit a few months back and I chose it for the reason that Dale mentioned, I also chose it for the fact that it sits right up against the radiator where as the Greddy sits a bit forward of the radiator and leaves a pretty large gap. However, I haven't heard a bunch of people complaining of overheating issues with it so far.

 

Thanks for the replies! Quick question: wouldn't the gap between the radiator and the Greddy FMIC be better for air circulation?

 

You actually want to control and duct the airflow. Gaps make for areas that air can get around a heat exchanger - it will take the path of least resistance. You want to force the air to go through the heat exchangers and do work, not just go around them.

Dale

 

Well put....and seemingly nearly always a very credible and knowledgeable source. Thanks Dale for all your help on the boards.

 

Check out the ETS FMIC Kit, I've had great results with the 4" core. Pretty good bang for the buck too.

 

The age old debate.

If you have an efficient core/low pressure drop the you will not feel much or anything at all with throttle response or "lag" if all your ducks in a row otherwise. (Tuned, supporting modifications).

Also you want to make sure your cooling is in order otherwise as well (radiator,hoses,ducting).

 

my friend had a car with an M2 large and it had this weird "rubber band" feel when you hit the gas after a shift. i guess teeny turbo and big IC at some point will do that.. i currently have an FC with a stock turbo and a GIANT HKS intercooler, and its fine, so no real answer as to why that one car was laggy

measuring lag would actually be pretty hard, you'd need preturbo and post turbo pressure, and it would be cool to see turbo RPM and temps too, as long as we are in there.