I just switched from a SMIC to a FMIC. Before, I was using the PFS racing large SMIC-an intercooler the exact same size as the ASP large with the same fiberglass ducting and also using the fiberglass extension duct. Last week I sold my SMIC to SkywarpR and took the opportunity to switch to a blitz FMIC. There are a few things to take note in comparison to the two intercoolers:

1. Quality- The Blitz intercooler is the third IC I have owned, before the PFS racing I had the M2 medium. In terms of quality the blitz one was much much nicer than both of the two both in terms of finish and build. It is a nice tube and fin design in contrast to the bar and plate of the american SMIC's.

2. Fitment- The Blitz fits very nicely, and all the parts to relocate the radiator and mount the intercooler are very well engineered.

3. Ease of installation- The Smic's are easier to install, taking only a few hours wheras the blitz one took approximately 4-5 hours to install

4. performance- The blitz is definitely superior to both SMIC's in terms of reducing air intake temps. Previously on the highway going 80mph my air intake temps were 34-38 cruising. Now with the FMIC they are 21-23! Water temperature is only a few degrees higher.

I hope this posts contributes to the SMIC vs. FMIC thread since now I have officially owned both and helps those considering buying either one in their decision. In conclusion I should have bought the blitz FMIC to begin with instead of wasting time with the SMIC's. I will post pics as soon as I get the chance

 

How complicated is the installation process for your fmic?

 

cool, I was about to buy the same IC since the blitz looks the best and it has the least occurance of overheating, but I stumbled on a great deal on a v-mount I spent about the same for a brand new blitz FMIC so I went that direction..

let see those pics since they have the best looking setup's as far as piping goes..

 

Very easy. The only thing that needed hacking was the stock radiator support and also the stock underpalel and also the stock radiator hose was trimmed 12 cm since the blitz FMIC requires the radiator to mount vertically. Other than that it was very easy to install.

 

Cool... got any before/after WOT temp data?

 

What was that air temp before and after in degrees F or C ?

Tom

 

Good info, man. BTW, do mean the ambient air temp was only a few degrees hotter?? If your water temp was that low, you have some serious problems .

 

Welcome to the FMIC world! I'm waiting for all the doomsday posts about overheating the engine during the summer LOL

 

thats great you are seeing lower temps....any idea if ambient is cooler now a days?

 

From what I've heard...the FMIC install on the FD *generally* is fairly simple. A buddy of mine went FMIC on his eclipse...not good. Cutting bumper, grinding and 6 hours later....Front Mount.

 

Congrats on the Blitz front mount. I'm still waiting to get the PFS on my car. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

1FooknTiteFD,
Are you using the stock radiator?
Do you still have air conditioning and/or power steering?

 

As has been stated before, highway cruising data is hardly conclusive. Of course, so few FD owners take their cars to the track, maybe that kind of data is of less use....

 

Not all FMIC's are alike.

I recall the Blitz and true Apexi are set back a bit, and do not reduce the flow area of the bumper opening. Others, like greddy2, can reduce the bumper flow area to less than 1/2 .... this is more of a road racing issue, vs street use, as you know.

 

Victor, I thought u had a Greddy SMIC.

 

You're not pushing the water-cooling system on the street.

 

I'm using a billion low temperature thermostat that keeps the water temps at 71 degrees (which is why the water temp was that low)

 

These tests were conducted between a 2 day timespan so the ambient temperature difference is negligable.

 

bar and plate is the better design, tube and fin cuts manufacturing costs.

 

it depends which front mount you get. If you get a greddy or hks front mount, the install is more involved than the blitz or apex'i one. The former intercoolers will require you to hack away the bumpers, grinding, etc... whereas the blitz and apex'i ones doesn't even require the removal of the front bumper to install.

 

I am using the mazda competition radiator. I removed my air conditiong but still have power steering.

 

The car has seen track time before on hot summer days as well as in the spring with a SMIC. When time permits, it will see the track again in the near future and I will present my new findings then.

 

what is a billion low thermostat? and if you are running 71c water temp isnt it it is not good to go WOT at that temp..

 

I'm planning on tracking my car, that's why I chose to get the blitz one instead of a huge one like the greddy or HKS. the blitz allows more airflow to the radiator but at the expense of better cooling to the intercooler (and at the expense of having a badass looking FMIC in the front of your car). Overall, I am happy with my decision. I should have just got this intercooler to begin with instead of the SMIC

 

Nope, first I had the M2 medium, then I used a PFS large racing Intercooler. Among the SMIC's, I think the greddy one is probably one of the nicest ones though.