WHP of course varies depending on the dyno and the available octane (and octane used). "SAFELY" varies from tuner to tuner (or owner to owner). I like the VF34, but I haven't had anything but it and the stock WRX turbo. I've never had misfire issues nor have I known anyone with misfire issues. I do run aftermarket plugs, as do most. I've had my WRX for 6.5 years now. I had issues with Perrin parts years ago and have steered clear ever since.

San

 

I've seen plenty that go with a tmic just to figure out it isn't enough. Do it right the first time in my opinion.

San

 

I didn't cut anything but the front bumper skin. 6 years old and still kicking ho's bootys. Whooping an STI at the track on crap tires, stock turbo, lesser brakes, and less displacement = priceless.

San

 

exactly..

don't get me wrong.. i LOOVE the look of a front mount.. as long as I can stay legal.. i'm going for it

 

I have the original APS Type R fmic in black. On my black WRX it really blends in well. Most don't notice it. I'm not a fan of bright fmics. Too blingy.

San

 

Any paint chips on the FMIC, San? You know how excellent Hawaii roads are...

 

I have the DR500 FMI from APS which is the second generation of the one that San has. The major difference between the two was the pipping was changed to light weight aluminum on the second gen whereas it was silicone with Sans. Mine has a **** load of rock chips. I stripped it and plan on either charcoal painting it or having it powder coated again.

Yup, I didn't have to cut anything else but bumper skin and wheel well guards since mine keeps the stock fog lights as well on the bugeye. I still love mine and plan on putting it back in ASAP (or when I find the time to refinish it again).

I'm with San on the bling factor of FMICs. The black one looks stealthy and people "think" it's a radiator unless their hip to it.

Jon

 

Yeah, mine has the silcone piping versus the aluminum. I have plenty of chips on the fmic, most of them from the track. Following someone with sticky tires is always going to chip something.

I've read that you can lightly spray paint fmics with a high-heat paint, like what you'd paint a barbeque grill with. I haven't done it, but have thought about it.

I only had to cut the bumper skin, but I ditched the foglights and went with covers. Foglights look funny to me as I only had them for a short time. You get used to what you have when you see it all the time. I put Z06 rear fenders on my C6 (Corvette for those unaware that USA makes cars) and I saw a normal C6 and thought it looked funny. I'm already used to the "widebooty" look of the Vette, kind of like the old turbo Porsches.

San

 

nice!

yeah, i bought a whole bunch of bbq/charcoal grill paint and plan on doing mine with that to see how it holds up for a while before deciding to have it coated again.

 

When you said "charcoal painting" I thought you were just going to roast the fmic over some coals.

The high-heat paint seems to work well, unless you don't believe the "other" forum posts. I think it would be at least as durable as powdercoating, with each having advantages. PM me your results if you don't mind as I don't check this forum often.

San

 

On that note, Injen also makes a front mount that allows you to keep the factory bumper beam as well. I've read some good and some bad about it though. Some say the core is too small, but it is another option.

 

Definitely... I've been lazy as hell and stripped the front side of the core with aircraft paint stripper a while ago. I just have to paint the FMIC and now body work the "old" bumper that was cut for the FMIC.

 

I retained my factory bumper beam with the APS Type R fmic. The Injen is a bit small, but I think some of the fmics out there are rediculously big. Especially when part of the fmic isn't even receiving air due to being blocked by body work.

San

 

LOL...that's how my turboXS worked out. I have about an inch on the topside being blocked.

mine is painted black btw and i like it way better than when it was bling