Can anybody tell me how good are the TMIC Intercoolers and UP/DP's on ebay are? Anybody has it or experienced it? can you tell me is it worth it, ebay parts?
SSAC's IC's are good. Both the FMIC and TMIC. I've got the SSAC FMIC in the mail. TMIC http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=825869&highlight=TMIC
^ so your actually saying SS Auto Chrome can actually make something of decent quality?!?! id have to see this to belive it haha.
Yes. There are a few large threads on NASIOC about the FMIC http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=909584 http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=811204&highlight=ebay+FMIC http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1030906 $295 shipped Each thread has multiple pictures of multiple cars with it installed and shots of inside the core. I would say everyone has been satisfied for the most part. But I didn't read through all of the 100 pages. It may not be the largest core ever, but definately not as small as some of the FMIC out there. Plus, it allows me to keep my fog lights which were replaced with Hella FF1000s, which is a BIG plus for me.
i ran an ssauto turbo manifold and elbow on my sr20det for a year before switching to a custom topmount set-up - no issues with the ssauto set-up though. it was cheap and it worked. no cracking, no fitment issues. i also ran an ssuato turbo manifold and elbow on my ka24de-t with no issues as well. no cracking, fit fine. i've known a number of people who used their fmic kit on 240sx's - work ok, occassionally run into minor fitment issues with the piping but nothing that can't be fixed with longer couplers, etc. the only products i would stay away from are turbos, wastegates, bovs - basically anything with moving parts lol
I would say "results may vary". I know for a fact that I have installed 2 that moved the turbo enough that the downpipe (both stock and aftermarket) wanted to occupy the same space as the firewall due to poor manufacturing tolerances. There are many who have had no problems though.
I think the fitment issues have been marginal. From what I have read you may have to lower the fuel filter and may have to trim a coupler or two. No major modification to any of the car(besides the obvious bumper beam cutting, trimming, etc) or to the supplied parts. Most have been user error and not turning the pipes correctly. At least with the FMIC.
So you guys recommand FMIC instead of TMIC? My WRX is going to be everyday day use. In all weather conditions too. For the FMIC, I dont want to be scooping snows onto it like last week. Going to drop my car in a few weeks too.
TMIC for most of us is a good choice. Easy to install, cheap, and helps keep the spool nice and early. If you have a bigger turbo then FMIC. As far as eBay stuff quality, I don't plan on it lasting forever, sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised.
Like it was said earlier.... the TMIC from SSAC is supposed to ok. I talked to my tuner out in Colo. He said the SSAC FMIC is actually quite nice. He's installed it on a few wrx's and sti's. If your wondering who the tuner was. It was Harvey from Super Rupair in Boulder. Super nice guy too.
Yeah, I got my SSAC FMIC last Thursday. Everything looks pretty damn good, nice welds, no bent fins on the core, no dents and the packaging was actually pretty damn good. 1 big cardboard box taped to all hell and stuffed with popcorn and the 2 other main boxes secured in that box. Now, to get my injectors, fuel pump and turboz
I just bought the SSAC TMIC...before I bought it, I mailed the seller with a couple questions, still have yet to receive a response weeks later. Bought the TMIC, installed, and the core itself has a leek. I get this really loud squeal like a balloon being pinched. Checked all the gaskets and fittings, etc. A pro mechanic looked at and is convinced it's the core that's got a leak. Installed the stock IC back, no problems...So I'm going to buy an APS TMIC barely used for $450. Wait to see how to get my cash back, maybe PayPal will provide the hookup. Fitment is crappy but it works. The included y-pipe seems good, aluminum/silicone. The included BOV looks like a knock off an HKS Sequential. SAVE YOURSELF TIME & CASH, BUY QUALITY THE FIRST TIME.
I have heard similar stories like what Andrew stated. All I can say is my intercooler was in perfect shape.
agreed x 2098987324987! Sometimes you get what you pay for. I don't like to play Russian Roulette with my car and my time.
Meh, its more than 10-20% extra for the TXS FMIC, its more like 70% and 100% more for a Perrin. If it's not for you, its not for you. I go for value products when it comes to simpler, none moving parts. Pipe is pipe, bar and plate core is bar and plate core, exhaust pipe is exhaust pipe, etc. There are more people that have had good experiences with the FMIC than have had bad. So I think the exception has become the rule, which isn't quite right. Hell, I bought a Perrin RSB that is a pos that won't mount up to its stiffest setting. Jeff wouldn't support it at all, just kept saying its user error. When yet, Matt(Bikerboy) and Mike(LegacyPGT) couldn't get the damn thing on it stiffest setting without it resting on a latteral link bar. So, I don't think name brand automatically means perfect fitment or great customer service. Your mileage may very.
Just because Perrin is a "name brand" doesn't equate to their stuff being good. IMHO, Perrin makes complete **** parts.
You're pretty much agreeing with me! Look at what their FMIC costs, $1300+. As I said, name brand, high price doesn't mean its really good. Others were trying to say spend more and get quality. Well, name brand and big price doesn't gaurantee that, well accept that you will spend more. MUCH more.
Fitment is more crucial IMO...If it is a quality product, fitment should be also rated the same...My TMIC Perrin is great, but it doesn't bolt on the stock location...= already paid for it but it sucks that they could not make it fit as well...
as long as you do your research before hand, many items you can buy the "cheap" version of and get the same results with nearly the same quality. ALOT of things you are just paying for the name...IE 1300 for a freakin perrin fmic, not thanks. i'd rather buy an ebay front and if it had a leak just weld it up for 50 bucks and still save yourself a grand
After more research, it wasn't my SSAC that was leaking. It was coming from the crappy exhaust y-pipe gaskets that are included with the IC. I ordered the rubbery ones from Subaru and that should fix the problem.
I bought my cobb TBE off ebay. The only issue was the gasket. once replaced, I saved a quick $300 bux.
