Do You Need A Fmic With A Stock Turbo R33 ?

[Munkyb0y]

I'm currently using a R34 smic. My tuner told me to upgrade to a front mount after the last tune. His exact words, "if this was my car, i wouldnt be using that intercooler"...."do it, its worth it"

I fitted the r34 smic a while ago, as an easy upgrade, and it made a nice difference. Thats when the car was making 185kw.

Last tune - 211rwkw on 11-12psi. Only mods are, full exhaust, pod, and unichip with boost module.

What are your experiences with fmic on stock r33 turbo?

Glad you did it? Regret it? Wasnt necessary?

EDIT:

I fitted the front mount and took it for a drive tonight. It's raining though, so nothing crazy. All seems good. I didnt notice any extra lag. It does make more noises now lol. And it seems to pull well, so no complaints there.

Just wondering if a tune is recommended after the install. My tuner told me i'd definately need one. I know it was a huge benefit after exhaust mods. So i'm pretty much planning on getting it tuned.

What are your experiences?

Edited December 11, 2007 by Munkyb0y

[swanny180]

I have a FMIC on mine (stock turbo, POD, catback, ~8psi) and I noticed a mild but not insignificant increase in power since fitting it.

Id recommend it, the just jap kits are quite cheap too.

[Bliksem]

pretty sure the R34 intercooler is safe for up to 200rwkw, so sounds about right...

[crofte]

I used a blitz lm cooler, same side inlet outlet fitted well on the S2 GTST. Lots of trimming and cutting of intrusion bar and bumper bar was needed to make it fit well. As for performance did notice a bit of a power gain with stock gear boosted 12psi and 3" trust PE II turbo back exhaust with split dump pipe. Sounds great and does seem have more power. JUST DO IT!!!!!

[charlie25T]

With the money you spent on a uni-chip how come u didnt just get the apexi pfc or an ems system

[Munkyb0y]

thanks for the replies. so far, you've confirmed what i was thinking

With the money you spent on a uni-chip how come u didnt just get the apexi pfc or an ems system

the unichip was in the car when i got it. i thought about replacing it, but i found a tuner who knows these units well. he used to tune them for race teams when they were popular. i'm happy with the results. they are actually quite good if you get someone who knows what theyre doing.

Edited October 18, 2007 by Munkyb0y

[R31Nismoid]

Well anything over 200rwkw is a bit ambitious for the stock turbo in terms of results.

No-one ever backs them up with a decent mph on the 1/4 really. Most just bring home the usual 105/107 or so.

I really think the R34 factory side-mount will be enough.

There was someone who did a write up about a year ago to do with ducting it or something.

Cant remember exactly but there was a little bit extra in terms of keeping the cooler 'cool'. Got a few degree's which wasnt too bad

[benl1981]

If sticking with stock turbo dont do a FMIC. You wil get less response and stuff all gain up high.

[Rekin]

the r34 smic can handle at about 230kw atw.

If you are keen on holding onto the smic, look into water-spray kit for the smic.

http://www.mearcat.com.au/Kits/

by lowering the temps of the smic, this should allow you to gain more power.

Although, dont get caught with no water and a higher tune hehe

Thinking of installing the water-kit to my r34 smic on my r32.

[Munkyb0y]

There was someone who did a write up about a year ago to do with ducting it or something.

Cant remember exactly but there was a little bit extra in terms of keeping the cooler 'cool'. Got a few degree's which wasnt too bad

Ive got the r34 ducting, and my front bar has an opening directly to the ducting, so it's as good as it gets in that respect.

the r34 smic can handle at about 230kw atw.

If you are keen on holding onto the smic, look into water-spray kit for the smic.

i wouldnt bother going to that trouble. if it came down to that, i'd just go with the fmic.

what symptons would you see if the cooler wasnt up to the job?

these are the main reasons i'm considering the front mount:

- as far as i know, cooler intake temps make for a healthier/happier motor.

- consistency is another concern. sometimes it runs great, and other times it's a bit less great

- also, if the cooler is creating restriction, the turbo will be working harder to make the desired boost.

these are the reasons i wanted to avoid it:

- added lag? (not so sure about this one)

- wank factor (dress-ups rather than performance requirement)

- defect

i'll be going with a tube and fin for least restriction, with hopefully improved cooling.

Edited October 18, 2007 by Munkyb0y

[sloutch]

lag is not that significant. So that isn't a big problem.

Maybe it's time to get an airbox for your pod filter

[Munkyb0y]

lag is not that significant. So that isn't a big problem.

Maybe it's time to get an airbox for your pod filter

actually thats another bonus. fmic means i can set up a cold air feed to the pod through the unused hole for the factory cold pipe.

and at that stage, i'll partition the pod.

[lighty01]

i felt abit more lag when i first got my fmic installed...

but holy shizzle it made up for it with top end.

i still have not boosted my car more than stock.

[benl1981]

If at stock boost you will not gain top end with a FMIC over a R34 SMIC. Maybe over a R33 cooler you may gain like 5rwkw. You probably notice it more because there is a slight delay in the throttle response then you feel the power.

Such a waste going FMIC if on the stock turbo..plus you usually have to hack into your car a bit.

Edited October 19, 2007 by benl1981

[R33GOD]

no hacking required. go a blitz fmic

[charlie25T]

If at stock boost you will not gain top end with a FMIC over a R34 SMIC. Maybe over a R33 cooler you may gain like 5rwkw. You probably notice it more because there is a slight delay in the throttle response then you feel the power.

Such a waste going FMIC if on the stock turbo..plus you usually have to hack into your car a bit.

Mate you get no power from a FMIC or R34...

the power gain is from the increase of boost

[Rekin]

Mate you get no power from a FMIC or R34...

the power gain is from the increase of boost

Dyno run before and after on the same day(couple of hours apart) on my r32 with r34 smic.

[R33silverS2]

Mate you get no power from a FMIC or R34...

the power gain is from the increase of boost

I think it makes sense that you DO get more power as the larger cooler is able to reduce intake temps at the 'same' boost level. Hence explaining rekins results and ones of my own.

[FATAZZ]

+ me for the r34smic as i have 1 on my r32 aswell.I purely got it for the fact that it will let the air flow alot better

and because its slightly larger i guess thats beneficial in cooling.

i dont have a dyno sheet showing back to back smic install but i have 165rwkw.

[BAMR33]

With the stock turbo, the r34 smic is best option. 211rwkW is pretty decent for the mods you have and fmic will just add lag, wait until you do the turbo.

Take note of what Rekin has said and posted, he's the only one with supporting results.