SWRT has it due to specs from FIA as mandatory and I am sure that the street spec does not have it is due to crash standards. Look how long it took Mitsu to bring the EVO over.

 

Also I've heard that because of the longer runs for a FMIC it tends to add turbo lag to the equation which the TMIC doesn't.

Interesting thought about the flat 4 having less vertical footprint - seems Porsche does the same (not that they have much of a choice with the rear/mid engine).

Damn does that IC get hot when you are at a stop though!