Before deciding on an FMIC over an uprated TMIC I just wondered what the downsides were to an FMIC.

For example:
Are there generally problems with temperatures?
Extra lag/slower response due to the longer pipework?
Reliability issues?

Basically, all I've heard is the good stuff. Is it really only good news or will I encounter "issues" after fitting?
Thanks
Ben

 

I did'nt encounter any issues at all, but then the car was mapped to get the full benefits extracted from the Front Mount

No noticeable lag - though apparently this varies by FMIC.

 

Increase of water/oil temps by about 5C.
Possibly a need to hack at the bumper a little...
And that's about it, AFAIK
Some people say there is lag. Well, there might be, but you'd be hard pushed to notice it & given the rest of the advantages of a FMIC, it's not much of a compromise

 

Apart from what people already said:

. "chaffing" of the pipework against other bits
. hard to find "leaks" in the pipework
. being forced to fit an induction kit (with possible MAF related problems)
. standard dumpvalve possibly not working as well as before

That's it really, but I'd do it again every time.

 

Well I was hoping that a remap (of my Unichip) would sort any possible lag issues - At the moment I'm thinking of going with HKS as I've heard good things about them (but then I've heard good things about all of them!) and I already have an HKS induction kit.

I dont mind hacking the bumper about and I've been assured that I wont regret it by a few people who've done it.

Evil, is it recommended to look into dump valves with this setup as you mentioned that the standard one may not work so well?

Ben

 

Ben, I'm always weary to advise things to people, but yes, in my case I am in the process of buying another dumpvalve, reluctantly.

The OEM DV worked perfectly well with the VF23 and the TMIC, but since fitting the FMIC, I can feel it not releasing enough pressure, causing strange "jolts". This may possibly be caused by reverse pressure waves past the MAF sensor, according to people more knowleadgable than me. In any case it won't be good for the turbo.

Reason would be that the total volume of compressed air is now bigger (pipes + larger IC), and the OEM DV doesn't seem to be able to release that quickly enough on my car.

 

Theo, I found a Forge recirc DV with red spring works the best of all the spring combinations with JECS and the MAF. Tiny amount of chattering from very light lift off, but less than the OEM one.