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smic vs. fmic

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Old 12-12-01, 01:17 AM
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smic vs. fmic

I'm trying to figure out what intercooler would make my car more reliable. Either getting an intercooler for the stock location as to not block the radiator, or a front mounted one to keep the intake air cooler. I have heard that fmic can help to prevent detonation. If anyone has experience with this I would appreciate some feedback.

Thanks!
Old 12-12-01, 01:20 AM
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OH MY GOD!!!
Old 12-12-01, 07:27 AM
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Do a search. It has only been discussed 1000 times.
Old 12-12-01, 08:46 AM
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get a frount mount if you want drag racing or stock mount if you want road racing.
Old 12-12-01, 09:08 AM
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I see it like this.

1) Either upgrade is a big improveent on the stock IC.

A SMIC is theoretically better for a daily driver/normal street use car. This is because it keeps your radiator in the front of the car out of the engine bay. The IC is in the engine bay, but that is okay because the IC is only needed when under high boost, which only happens with the car is moving. If the car is moving then the even a SMIC IC will get plenty of air. However, when the car is not moving the radiator is essential to keep the car from overheating, so having the radiator out in front, away from the engine bay, is essential for stop and go driving.

For a race car however a FMIC is better because the car is spending more time running at high speed and under high boost then a street driven car. In this case the radiators function is secondary to the IC function. One reason that engines pop is due to prolonged running under high boost and RPMs. Smaller or Stock Mmount ICs simply can't keep the air cool enough when the turbos are constantly spooling, cause the turbos generate a lot of heat. You are never going to push the car hard enough to NEED a FMIC on the street.

Overall though I think that a FMIC can work for both street and race cars, but a SMIC can only work for street. I think that SMIC is a little better for street, but a FMIC setup is still fine. BTW, when I say race car I mean a real road race/GT car that will be running hard for 30+
minutes straight, not autocross or drag racers.
Old 11-27-02, 02:37 PM
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Oh, ok, so FMIC is usable for road racing FD enthusiasts???

So confused

Originally posted by Malachi151
I see it like this.

1) Either upgrade is a big improveent on the stock IC.

A SMIC is theoretically better for a daily driver/normal street use car. This is because it keeps your radiator in the front of the car out of the engine bay. The IC is in the engine bay, but that is okay because the IC is only needed when under high boost, which only happens with the car is moving. If the car is moving then the even a SMIC IC will get plenty of air. However, when the car is not moving the radiator is essential to keep the car from overheating, so having the radiator out in front, away from the engine bay, is essential for stop and go driving.

For a race car however a FMIC is better because the car is spending more time running at high speed and under high boost then a street driven car. In this case the radiators function is secondary to the IC function. One reason that engines pop is due to prolonged running under high boost and RPMs. Smaller or Stock Mmount ICs simply can't keep the air cool enough when the turbos are constantly spooling, cause the turbos generate a lot of heat. You are never going to push the car hard enough to NEED a FMIC on the street.

Overall though I think that a FMIC can work for both street and race cars, but a SMIC can only work for street. I think that SMIC is a little better for street, but a FMIC setup is still fine. BTW, when I say race car I mean a real road race/GT car that will be running hard for 30+
minutes straight, not autocross or drag racers.
Old 11-27-02, 03:43 PM
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Originally posted by Malachi151

For a race car however a FMIC is better because the car is spending more time running at high speed and under high boost then a street driven car. In this case the radiators function is secondary to the IC function.
Ummm... yea right. I guess not overheating is secondary to having cooler intake temps. Yea right. Not only that but stock mounts work just fine for road racing. I have seen low intake temps on very hot days with stock mount at the track. The only case I see that front mount is better is drag racing where you don't want engine heat soaking in to the intercooler while you are sitting at the lite. But then again just get a fan.

Well there is the bling bling factor for a front mount but you can get stickers for that
Old 11-27-02, 04:04 PM
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the GT cars, the M2 FD worth like 100k, what kind of IC do they use? what about other turbo'd cars...where are their ICs located?
Old 11-27-02, 05:23 PM
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i want the BLITZ FMIC!
Old 11-27-02, 06:02 PM
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lets try to do a search.

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/search...der=descending

ok....look what turns up with the EXACT SAME WORDS IN THE SUBJECT!! wow! this topic HAS been debated before.

the search is in the top right hand corner of the page if you didnt know. you can modify you search to come up the way you want it to. try it next time...please...
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