DannyBoy007

iTrader: (7)

Have to agree with harvey, I don't understand how they can be sticking down so low. you bolt it directly to the cross member and attach the two brackets to underside of the subframe and the intercooler.

I (we) fitted a hybrid FMIC (Not harvey supplied) over the weekend, only the bottom part of the bolt can be seen below the bumper, and this was only becuase we changed the bolts from the one's supplied (Two bolts missing). Theres a thread in members gallery with photos.


And yes the bumper cutting is the longest part, took about 3 hours to get it just right.

simb 2

iTrader: (3)

clicky

simb

P1 RAJ

RuRu Car is running good. Apart from the petrol smell I get (think it could be the larger fuel pump) I'm luving the 20g

Interesting views on the front mounts. I will keep my eye out for a second hand hks or get a new hybrid.

Thanks for all your replys

Scoobyslammed

Did you get much paint flaking/damage when cutting the bumper???

DannyBoy007

iTrader: (7)

None at all, just used a dremel with the cut off bit. had a little sander to tidy up the job after. You have to be careful with the dremel, as it cuts through no problem but you do get bits of plastic that seem to melt themselves back together again or failing that spray over you or the person holding the bumper. just make sure you have goggles/safty glasses!!!!

I've ordered some door edging strip to cover the cut edge just to tidy it up.

simb 2

iTrader: (3)

I can vouch for the plastic, have the burn blisters to prove

simb

harvey

iTrader: (48)

Cutting the bumper is easy if you make yourself a template fron cardboard. Either cut round the template which has to be on the small side or use it to mark the shape with a felt tip pen.
You can use snips or a jig saw and the whole job including making the template is less than an hour.

Silver Scooby Sport

iTrader: (15)

I help Dan and the other guys to fit his on the weekend and to be honest was suprised how just well it went together.... I think we were very lucky to be honest. All the pipework lined up correctly which was a huge bonus because as soon as one length is out a few mm it is suprising how much it then pushes the rest out after.... but we did not have that problem I'm pleased to say.

As for fit all you see are the brackets nothing else is visible under the front bumper and with a splitter added they will be out of sight and harms way also.

You can just make them out.



I think Dan was fortunate that we all had the patience for the job we stood back and looked at it, talked about different aspects and fitted then removed then refitted to make sure all the measurements were correct.

I'll be honest I'm no mechanic all I know is what I have picked up off here and chatting with the boys but I respect when you do something of this nature it needs to be done once and correct because there is a lot riding on this working 100% all of the time..... I can understand why people pay to have a pro instal and fully support that but with a good team a home instal is also possible. You need a lot of care putting everything back on the car afterwards we let Dan cut his own bumper he is skilled enough to do it with his carpentry experiance as he showed us.. but as Si said hot plastic does burn when it lands on your arms

As you see a tight fit


Simb hold the top mount up to show the size difference


I think the moral of the story is not so much who fits it (even a pro would have a challenge on with an ill fitting system) but how good the product is, you need the buy to a high standard or it will definatly bite you back that much is for sure.

Simon

ticky

Where did Dan refit his number plate? Simon

Silver Scooby Sport

iTrader: (15)

Dan's got a pair of fog light covers to go on.... they are being sprayed as we speak and when they are fitted he will be putting a square number plate over the top of one of those. Ok that may not be to everyone's taste but the idea is not to restrict the front mount at all.

Any legal eagles about ??
We did think about a decal style plate on the bonnet but we were not sure if this is legal or not these days ?

flatoutscooby

Stick on number plates have been made illegal

ticky

I agree about the restriction of air flow to the fmic by fitting the No. Plate to near its original location.
But I am not to keen on having mine repositioned to the side (near fog covers)
The only other 2 option I was thinking about was?
Option 1. Centre to the bumper but just above the top of the fmic, sort of half & half.
Option 2. Centre to bumper but near the bottom lip but looks like the plate would have to be fitted at an angle (45deg).
I am not sure if option 2 is legal as the plate/numbers are not clearly visable.

Please get some pictures up once Dans managed to get the covers & plate fitted.

Silver Scooby Sport

iTrader: (15)

Another option for the plate is to mount it in the original place but take a chance and have a smaller one made, this one depends on how kind your local boys are you can either have legal letters and cut the plate down or reduce the whole thing.... I have seen a plate mounted on a hinge before now so when you drive it folds back, that is naughty mind to say the least.

When Dan gets sorted we will post some up to date

Shame the stick on one's are illegal that would be the answer.

olliecampbell

iTrader: (3)

I like the sound of that

When you stop its fine, what about a hydraulic one?

Whats the deal with leaving the no plate in the front windscreen? Legal or not? Maybe you could do that and say it fell off?

DannyBoy007

iTrader: (7)

yep, it's safely tucked on the dash at the moment, been up to wiltshire today to see my new neice. Sailed passed a cop car that was waiting to turn out of a side road, thought he would pull me, but he pulled out and went the other way, He proberly had half the stations fish and chips on board and didn't want them to get cold


I think I'll have to two plates made, one which is the legal size 11 x 9 for MOT etc and a smaller one of 9x7 for all other times. the 11x9 is about the size of a A4 sheet of paper and I think to big.

I'll be ordering the 11x9 tomorrow, Si will the covers be ready for next wednesdays mini meet?? If so I'll have it all sorted for Jap Show, Might pick up the smaller plate if there is a stand at the pod

harvey

iTrader: (48)

Tone Loc : Did you get a dozen or so photos of five FMIC installs I sent yesterday?
Clearly shows the core is above the bumper in all cases.

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

Yes i did... will post the pics when i can, off out of the country soon so lots to do.

Quite a few pics had front lips on tho (STi 6, your silver Jun type one and one that looked like an MRO... dark grey pics only from unberneath), others were just too dark below the bumper to really see. I shall post them all when i get back... if not please remind me to do so.

Tony.

harvey

iTrader: (48)

Are you having a laugh?
I hope you are not questioning my word.
The photos of my WRX Wagon taken before the lip spoiler were not to prove the positioning of the intercooler. That was not in question at that time. The original bumper is still in position with the spoiler over it (as may be the case with some of the other cars) and I have already told you that on that car and others that I have fitted, the core does not protrude below the bumper.

jonny gav

iTrader: (1)

http://www.geocities.com/harveysmith3000/fmicwrx.html

some pics here of the hybrid fitted without a front lip spoiler!

harvey

iTrader: (48)

P.S. That was the first five cars I found. Maybe I will find ten more before you get back.
I even sent you photos from underneath.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

AndrewC

I have only just seen this thread, and as my name has been mentioned I guess I should comment

I didn't consider cutting the front bumper support bar (except for the number plate bracket) as the original photos from the Australian instructions; based on a STi 5 or 6; didn't show the bar being cut.

My FMIC is bolted up tight under the bar as this photo shows:


I assumed the cooler protruded under the bumper shell as it is shallower than the later MY99/00 bumper, and indeed the STi 6 splitter is a little lower still.

I did not cut the underside of the bumper shell to allow the cooler to protrude below, I have a STi4 splitter which I have been trying to find time to fit for the past 12 months which will cover the protruding section of the FMIC.

Also, I have seen cars with the cooler installed higher and the first pipe from the core to the engine bay either appears to be angled rather than straight up, or this pipe or the pipe to the throttle body have been cut to make them fit.

As the kit was clearly developed on a MY99/00 STi I always expected there to be slight fitting differences for earlier model years, however, I believe my core is fitted as the 'designers' intended.

Irrespective of the fitting differences it is a fantastic bit of kit, much tougher core than most and cooling performance can't be faulted.

Andrew...

harvey

iTrader: (48)

Thanks for that Adrew. There are differences between models so there are lots of little tricks to get the best fit and neatest solution. I cannot think of any installation we have done where the core protruded below the bumper or it was necessary to cut the bottom bumper to accomodate the core. Cutting the pipe by the washer bottle and adding a joiner for instance can make installation easier, neater and lower. On my own WRX Wagon I did not do this and preferred to "panel beat" (bash with heavy hammer ) a bracing on the alloy bonnet.
Another trick is to cut away the radiator fan shroud to allow better clearance for the vertical up pipe from the core. Alternatively, on non air con cars, move the fan to the drivers side, running one fan only.
On A/C cars always have the fan on the A/C side if only running one fan.

To end, I have not heard one owner of these kits slag off the quality or value for money but I realise that some experts who have not fitted them are qualified to do so.

AndrewC

Harvey,

I am still not entirely sure how you support the top of the core when installed slightly higher? How does the bumper support bar need modifiying to do this?

I moved my single fan over to the drivers side shortly after fitting the Hybrid

Andrew...

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

LOL.... if that was aimed at me Harvey i think i'll just leave this thread well alone.

Tony.

jim litten

Tony post the pics and the three I emailed you.

Harvey mines bolted up hard to the bumper support bar and still drops below the bumper, and no I didn't cut it and its pushed down slightly.

jonny gav

iTrader: (1)

here are some of the pics-

harvey

iTrader: (48)

You got it in one. Dead right it was aimed at you.

You knock these intercoolers, this is not the first time, and you make exaggerated statements that are wrong. I offer to send photos to anybody that will post them, photos I do not have at that time. Immediately you volunteer. Over the next few days I get you photos of five different cars I have fitted FMICs to, just the cars I come across on my travels. More to come if you want.

I take the trouble to send you fourteen photos (some far better quality than Jonny posted, no disrespect to Jonny) which show the fit but, now you see you are wrong, you are too busy to post the photos.
Prat. First class.

harvey

iTrader: (48)

Andrew: I cannot remember if you are running air con but if you are it is important to retain the fan on the air con side. Trust me.

olliecampbell

iTrader: (3)

Not doubting you, but how come?

harvey

iTrader: (48)

The air con system/compressor creates a lot of heat. On a standard car the air con will activate the fans. This is to remove some heat. If removing one fan it is best done on the side away from the air con ie driver's side.
Running with no cooling to the air con boils the gas and you get short life out of the system before a regas or expensive maintainance.