STi TMIC Worth it?
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From: Tracy
Car Info: 2002 MBP Wrx
STi TMIC Worth it?
I have some basic mods on my Wrx which include Up/downpipe, Ecutek, Pulley, hoses, and a Catback. Would adding a STi TMIC help me out even though i havent Upgraded my Turbo (yet)?
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
Car Info: 03 Sonic Yellow WRX Sedan
the more mass a metal has, the longer it takes to heat up and cool down. so, while staging with your motor on... the intercooler gets heat soaked... and it takes longer to cool down due to its increased size. this is where the stock one has an advantage, it heats quick, but cools quick as well.
however, bigger is better for ultimate cooling capacity... and in most forms of racing, you dont sit around much. just make sure you get the STi air splitter for the hood scoop since that is the key to the intercooler functioning effectively.
the main reason to upgrade is to allow for more radical tuning with a turbo and timing. an upgraded turbo such as a VF22/30/34/etc. with the stock IC will still be very capable of making good power... you'd just be limited when it comes time to tune it and squeeze every last ounce of reliable power out of your mods. Many cars have run reliably with turbo upgrades and nothing else... so a turbo would be a more logical choice for more power. But if you want to do it right... save up and do it all at once! (turbo, fuel pump, injectors, intercooler, ecu tuning)
however, bigger is better for ultimate cooling capacity... and in most forms of racing, you dont sit around much. just make sure you get the STi air splitter for the hood scoop since that is the key to the intercooler functioning effectively.
the main reason to upgrade is to allow for more radical tuning with a turbo and timing. an upgraded turbo such as a VF22/30/34/etc. with the stock IC will still be very capable of making good power... you'd just be limited when it comes time to tune it and squeeze every last ounce of reliable power out of your mods. Many cars have run reliably with turbo upgrades and nothing else... so a turbo would be a more logical choice for more power. But if you want to do it right... save up and do it all at once! (turbo, fuel pump, injectors, intercooler, ecu tuning)
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I wouldn't bother getting a larger intercooler unless you get a different turbo. HKS was making well over 300HP on the stock intercooler with one of their kits. You don't really need it. Save your money for something else or just save it. You may regret it if you do. Putting a larger intercooler with the stock turbo would most likely give you poor throttle response with little in return in terms of any power gain.
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I would have to disagree here,
I'm on the stock turbo, GP-Moto headers, turboback, and my fmic made a huge difference. The pull from 3500+ to redline was much stronger. Totally different acceleration. Last track day, the only time an STI caught up to me (2002 WRX) was when I got caught in slower traffic. I also live in Hawaii, so the cooler air doesn't hurt. The stock turbo puts out a lot of heat, upgrading to a larger turbo is just going to increase the amount of heat soak the tmic gets. As recently shown in sport compact magazine, the stock tmic isn't bad, as long as you're moving. I am tracking my car and can't imagine how hot a tmic would be after sitting in the pits between sessions. Granted it will cool off when you start moving again, but my fmic is always cool. Friends couldn't believe how cool it was right after exiting the track. Detonation kills motors. Anything I can do to cool the intake charge or block is worth it. I'll be upgrading the radiator soon. I wouldn't bother with pulleys either. They can cause problems with the crank p/u sensor. A lightweight flywheel is a definate plus.
San
San
Re: STi TMIC Worth it?
Originally posted by MidniteBlakRex
I have some basic mods on my Wrx which include Up/downpipe, Ecutek, Pulley, hoses, and a Catback. Would adding a STi TMIC help me out even though i havent Upgraded my Turbo (yet)?
I have some basic mods on my Wrx which include Up/downpipe, Ecutek, Pulley, hoses, and a Catback. Would adding a STi TMIC help me out even though i havent Upgraded my Turbo (yet)?
Last edited by islandx; Dec 1, 2003 at 02:45 AM.
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From: Longing for my ol' white '02 WRX :(
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If you looking to make 300 whp or more, then switch when you're already close to that. Otherwise it won't really help you as much (if at all) as other modifications.
jason
jason
Re: You mean the fastest
Originally posted by oldmansan
at the strip. I really don't have that much confidence in the WRX tranny myself.
San
at the strip. I really don't have that much confidence in the WRX tranny myself.
San
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Car Info: 02 Impreza WRX sedan
One concern I would have with a FMIC is I think it would fail the visual part of the smog inspection here in CA. You would either have to replace the factory TMIC or go before a referee.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
Originally posted by Wingless Wonder
One concern I would have with a FMIC is I think it would fail the visual part of the smog inspection here in CA. You would either have to replace the factory TMIC or go before a referee.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
One concern I would have with a FMIC is I think it would fail the visual part of the smog inspection here in CA. You would either have to replace the factory TMIC or go before a referee.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
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no doubt, I can't believe all these people from california, spending thousands to make their cars faster, then they go to the hassle to change back to stock for one 15 minute session, when they could probably just slip the guy a bill and be out of there with a smiling face on both parties!
not that I condone cheating, but I do believe in promoting the economy!
not that I condone cheating, but I do believe in promoting the economy!
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From: Ontario
Car Info: 02 wrx
the STI intercooler provides a 14% in cooling efficiency over the stock piece... This isn't much for the amount that you pay
If I were you, I'd pay a little more for a bigger TMIC such as turboXS, APS, or others.. Those provide pretty good gains over the STi piece....
If I were you, I'd pay a little more for a bigger TMIC such as turboXS, APS, or others.. Those provide pretty good gains over the STi piece....
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why go with a front mount? That huge over 90 degree bend to the tb inlet really isnt gunna do much for your airflow. Not to mention the pressure drop from all that tubing. The vishnu stage 2 car with their intercooler beat out a full on frount mounted drag car in that super street or sport compact car a while back.