Hi all

My 98 uk classic is sitting at 140000miles on the original top mount, with various mods its sitting at 289bhp and 270lbs of torque. The tmic's fins are bumped and bashed a little and in some places the fins were crushed and when i tried to straighten them the tops just stripped off. Do they loose efficency with higher miles/ condition? I cant stretch to a FMIC and the fitting costs. The STI8 conversion is pricey as folks have realised how good they are now and also the extra work required.
I know alot of people say that aftermarket TMICs are no better than the factory unless its an expensive one. Does anybody still produce O/E tmics. Or is there another option from the subaru range - early sti or late model wrx thats a straight swap?
Ive seen the ab88 tmic would that be a better option as its got to be better than the one thats on now.

 

hi mate my 99 turbo tmic was the same although mine has the built in dump valve fiiting on the front. anyway i bought a uk300 tmic an fitted well. only thing i had to do was adjust the right fitting clamp to line up the holes to bolt down. ive noticed the veins are wider for air to pass through easier. although the power difference is unnoticable i know the air passing is more safe than it was

 

i have fitted a STI 8 to my car with the undertray to match, does the Air Temps Perfect one of the best upgrades i have done, i would think about going that route

heres mine

 

Another option that I have just done this morning to mine (MY00) - keep the intercooler and just swap the plastic y-piece piping for the more efficient STi alloy pipe with Samcos.

I remember reading a massive intercooler comparison article and it was mentioned there how restrictive the plastic piping was.

I couldn't find just the piping though and had to buy a V4 STi intercooler with the piping attached and swap the piping over.

 

them pipes look restrictive but could u feel the difference with the air flow

 

what was involved with the sti 4 tmic swap? parts ? how hard etc. seems a good bet but im not exactly a black belt with a 10mm spanner!

 

I am a numpty with the spanners, but managed to do it ok - took a bit of fiddling about to get it off, and back on.

The actual swap of the piping once its off took 2 mins - 4 12mm bolts.

The intercooler was a pain in the **** to get off, doesn't help its at the back of the engine bay - my back is nackered today!