Someone please help me to choose IC:)
#1
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: US
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Someone please help me to choose IC:)
Ive done my research.. i still can't decide i wanna go SMIC or FMIC... FMIC i found out that i have to deal with pressure drop but temp advantage... but i kind da wants SMIC for reliable reason... i don't know... which FMIC is good? is HKS one is easy to install and work good as others?
PLEZ.. tell me what ya think... i need to decide quick
PLEZ.. tell me what ya think... i need to decide quick
#6
Rotary Freak
FstFD...,
The installation process for an FMIC is a real PITA! I have heard/read that it takes around 8-12 hours of work to install. On the other hand, I installed my last M2 Med SMIC in two hours or less - a no brainer.
I am now looking for another IC. I may go with the Greddy 2 row FMIC and just pay someone(Hypnotic. perf) to install it for me. Ivan said that they can do it in 1-2 days for a really good price! I just don't want to deal with re-positioning the radiator and a/c, triming the bumbper, etc....I may also go with a large M2 Smic or Pettit Cool Charge 3. They are identical.
Hope this helps.
John
The installation process for an FMIC is a real PITA! I have heard/read that it takes around 8-12 hours of work to install. On the other hand, I installed my last M2 Med SMIC in two hours or less - a no brainer.
I am now looking for another IC. I may go with the Greddy 2 row FMIC and just pay someone(Hypnotic. perf) to install it for me. Ivan said that they can do it in 1-2 days for a really good price! I just don't want to deal with re-positioning the radiator and a/c, triming the bumbper, etc....I may also go with a large M2 Smic or Pettit Cool Charge 3. They are identical.
Hope this helps.
John
Trending Topics
#9
I'm personally going with a FMIC this weekend, mostly because I have a buddy that's gonna help me put it on! Seriously, I autocross a lot (same would probably be true for dragging), and I don't think a SMIC would ever work well because you spend so much time sitting around letting the thing heat soak. With runs not lasting any longer than 1 minute and speeds usually maxing at short bursts of 60mph, a SMIC would never get a chance to get any real airflow to cool it off. Plus the FMIC just look cool as hell!
On the other hand, I guess it'd be easier to sit a bag of ice on the SMIC, but I've never gone to that extreme.
As far as real numbers, my stock SMIC was sitting on 70C for the entire last auto-x, and my buddy with the Apexi FMIC never gets higher than 40 in traffic.
On the other hand, I guess it'd be easier to sit a bag of ice on the SMIC, but I've never gone to that extreme.
As far as real numbers, my stock SMIC was sitting on 70C for the entire last auto-x, and my buddy with the Apexi FMIC never gets higher than 40 in traffic.
#10
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
Re: Someone please help me to choose IC:)
Originally posted by FstFD3SPOWER
Ive done my research.. i still can't decide i wanna go SMIC or FMIC... FMIC i found out that i have to deal with pressure drop but temp advantage... but i kind da wants SMIC for reliable reason... i don't know... which FMIC is good? is HKS one is easy to install and work good as others?
PLEZ.. tell me what ya think... i need to decide quick
Ive done my research.. i still can't decide i wanna go SMIC or FMIC... FMIC i found out that i have to deal with pressure drop but temp advantage... but i kind da wants SMIC for reliable reason... i don't know... which FMIC is good? is HKS one is easy to install and work good as others?
PLEZ.. tell me what ya think... i need to decide quick
The core is so damn big I could always convert to front mount with some new pipes.
FYI: My friend has a Greddy FM with a large custom rad, and although his IATs are usually 5 degrees C lower than mine, he has to run his fans constantly to keep his motor temps under 100 degrees C...
#11
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Monterey Park, CA
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FMIC is a royal PITA... I wish nobody the pain I've gone through. I have an Apexi FMIC and still in the process of installing it (over a month). Everything seems to go wrong (dunno if it's just my luck). I have the FMIC mounted, but when I was looking at the stock radiator in there it was HIDEIOUS. The ugly *** color plastic on the stock radiator got me so upset that I went out and got a Koyo radiator. The Koyo is at least 2x thicker than the stock radiator so I had to fabricate brackets for it. Measuring, cutting, drilling... I still have to cut some more off the brackets, but I'm to the point were I try to start but just end up staring at my car sighing... A buddy and me tried to work on it yesterday. Got the stock back in and then the Miata battery we got is to big. So now I'm in the process of ordering an even smaller battery rather than relocating the battery to the back of the car (another PITA). If I had to do it over again I would either have a shop completely do it or go with FMIC that mounts right on the front (right behind the bumper) like the rx7fashion IC instead of in the engine bay.
Just my 2 cents.
Just my 2 cents.
#12
I think for drag a SMIC is good if you put ice on it and keep the hood open before you line up. it is much easier to install. Price seems about the same for SMIC vs FMIC, so i dont' think that should be the issue. It's simply more of a PITA to install the FMIC. The FMIC is more "sleeper" if that is what you want. a FMIC has a bling bling factor to it.
It appears taht a lot of people that used to have SMIC are selling them and going with FMIC. I'm not sure if that is because the SMIC weren't good enough? Maybe someone that has had both can share. but i don't see people that used to have FMIC go back to a SMIC.
It appears taht a lot of people that used to have SMIC are selling them and going with FMIC. I'm not sure if that is because the SMIC weren't good enough? Maybe someone that has had both can share. but i don't see people that used to have FMIC go back to a SMIC.
#13
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
Originally posted by RX7Elmo
It appears taht a lot of people that used to have SMIC are selling them and going with FMIC. I'm not sure if that is because the SMIC weren't good enough?
It appears taht a lot of people that used to have SMIC are selling them and going with FMIC. I'm not sure if that is because the SMIC weren't good enough?
I think it's for the aforementioned BLING BLING factor.
Maybe someone that has had both can share. but i don't see people that used to have FMIC go back to a SMIC.
Don't get me wrong, I like the look of the FM, but I'm very satisfied with my M2 Large.
#14
1JZ powered
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Where there's only two seasons, hot and wet! I love Okinawa
Posts: 4,423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have absolutely no idea why it would take anyone 8 hours to put in a FMIC. I started my FMIC project at 1 pm and finished at 6 pm WITH about an hour lost because I had to go to a meeting. I used that 4 hours to pull EVERYTHING out, put the FMIC in place, run the piping, fabricate brackets for the radiator, dream up some crazy radiator hosing alignments, SMOKE about a pack of cigarettes and drink a 6-pack of coke and still get it all in place...
...ah...never mind, I just remembered...I don't have AC or PS to worry about.
...ah...never mind, I just remembered...I don't have AC or PS to worry about.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I say go for the FMIC as well. The SMIC's are nice, but the underhood temps can really climb, unless you have a vented hood, it will most likely be pretty hot under there.
As for the install, it wasn't too bad at all. The toughest thing for me was figuring out how to get to the bolts for the front bumper The 'install' only takes an hour or so, it's the 'taking the worthless stuff out' that takes the longest.
As for the install, it wasn't too bad at all. The toughest thing for me was figuring out how to get to the bolts for the front bumper The 'install' only takes an hour or so, it's the 'taking the worthless stuff out' that takes the longest.
#16
Ghost Ride the Whip
The installation process for an FMIC is a real PITA! I have heard/read that it takes around 8-12 hours of work to install. On the other hand, I installed my last M2 Med SMIC in two hours or less - a no brainer.
#17
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: US
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Re: Someone please help me to choose IC:)
Originally posted by GoodfellaFD3S
FYI: My friend has a Greddy FM with a large custom rad, and although his IATs are usually 5 degrees C lower than mine, he has to run his fans constantly to keep his motor temps under 100 degrees C...
FYI: My friend has a Greddy FM with a large custom rad, and although his IATs are usually 5 degrees C lower than mine, he has to run his fans constantly to keep his motor temps under 100 degrees C...
here is another problem.. i have koyo and since its hella bigger than stock.. ic duct won't fit that good...
i might have to deal with that problem once i get M2..... without good air duct.. SMIC will not work no matter how big it is.. ..
decision.. decision... ..anyone has koyo rad and has same prob as mine?
#20
Rotary Freak
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have gone through the same questions. I decided on a large SMIC.
1) I don't want to put in a screen or worry about debris hitting a FMIC.
2) Stealth
I was going to get an M2 Large. I don't have a problem with relocating the battery. I changed my mind back to my 1st thought. The CWR (Crooked Willow Racing) large SMIC. I believe it has the largest volume. I got email back from the manufacturer, so believe he will be producing them again. The CWR has an angled mount, so airflow is good with the radiator. It will also allow me to use a Efini Y-pipe, whereas the M2 would need a modified Y-pipe.
We'll see...
1) I don't want to put in a screen or worry about debris hitting a FMIC.
2) Stealth
I was going to get an M2 Large. I don't have a problem with relocating the battery. I changed my mind back to my 1st thought. The CWR (Crooked Willow Racing) large SMIC. I believe it has the largest volume. I got email back from the manufacturer, so believe he will be producing them again. The CWR has an angled mount, so airflow is good with the radiator. It will also allow me to use a Efini Y-pipe, whereas the M2 would need a modified Y-pipe.
We'll see...
#22
Rotary Freak
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CWR
Some people had some problems before getting the intake piece. I will see what happens with me. He will take deposits on the SMIC (1395) in the beginning of August. I already sent him (Duane) a deposit for his Dual Oil Coolers kit.
Some people had some problems before getting the intake piece. I will see what happens with me. He will take deposits on the SMIC (1395) in the beginning of August. I already sent him (Duane) a deposit for his Dual Oil Coolers kit.
Last edited by PVerdieck; 07-18-02 at 09:03 PM.