Lateral Performance FMIC/ Hybrid FMIC users views?
 

I've heard good things about the Lateral Performance intercooler but would like some users views as I am in the market for a better I/C for my MY95 UK Saloon. The Lateral Performance item also includes a different rad and requires no moddifications to body work etc (it is NOT a Pace item).

Harvey's GB for the Hybrid FMIC has piqued my interest so any users experience of that will be much appreciated also. Fitting wise, it looks a pain but the cost saving may well be worth it if it performs well.

Current mods:

Apexi Power FC (Mapped by Andy F)
K&N Panel Filter
Revolution 3" DP and System
MRT Replacement Inlet Plenum Pipe
Walbro pump and FSE reg
Forge Re-circ DV
Scoobyclinic clutch
Fidanza 4.2KG FW
Breathers VTA

Future plans:

6 speed box

I am looking for a reliable 320-340BHP (if possible).

Cheers,
Phil.

put a td05 on, get your map tweaked, you might just see that 320
:)

The '95UK has a TD05 as standard ;)

do you have aircon?

if not, then I would certainly recommend this intercooler.

You can still fit the lateral intercooler with air con as well. I have managed this on my car, but I think I am the only one so far.

Air con aside the quality is excellent.

You will need your own custom pipework, but this is easily sorted with samco hosing.

If you rotate your inlet manifold too, you also end up with impressively short pipework.

these pics of my car will show you what i mean.

http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=y5yzl...ze=1&nostamp=1
http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=y5yzl...ze=1&nostamp=1
http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=y5yzl...ze=1&nostamp=1
http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=y5yzl...ze=1&nostamp=1

Cheers Adam, that looks really cool. Is that an oil cooler you have fitted in place of the oem intercooler? The reason I ask is because I was planning to fit an oil cooler in that position should I get a FMIC.

I think it his air-con rad :)

Hybrid = All pipework and fittings included circa £500
Good performance
Have to cut Bumper
Can be hard to fit (model/mods depending)
Air -con can be kept

Lateral Performance =
No pipework included
Very good Performance
Cant keep Air -con tho
Around £1200
Fairly simple to fit
No bumper cutting

Do the maths and weigh up the pro's and cons then make your decision!!
Ones a budget/good performer
The others a dearer/Very good performer!!
Pays yer money and takes yer choice!

Me,............ I have neither of them! :D LOL

tis my air con rad,

many people have suggested not putting an oil cooler up there due to the drain back which will occur being worse when the bulk of the oil in the core is situated above the level of the top of the sump.

My oil cooler is in the wing.

the above summary is a good one.

Hybrid is known to work well, but pipework will be long.

Personally I think the neat job provided by reversing the manifold si the bes way forwards, more so if you dont have air con, but then you pay extra for it.

Both will do a very good job, no question, but finish and fit of lateral is in my opinion superior as it is not intrusive to the look fo the car as it sits behind the bumper aperture, not in the mouth of the car.

I have a Hybrid on my MY97 and am very pleased with it, it wasn't too bad a job to do, cutting the bumper was the worst part.

I really don't know how you can consider comparing products that have in excess of £1000 different price tag (Lateral was £1400 with pipework costs probably way more than £100).

Decide what you budget is and go from there. If you have a max of £750 to spend get the hybrid, if you have £1750 get the Lateral.

Tony.

I have a Hybrid on my MY96 UK Wagon and like DreXel has said it isn't a bad job to do - the overall results make the effort well worthwhile ;)

Cheers

Pipework for £100???? Double it just for starters plus the hassle factor and I am not biased. ;)

What I was interested in was whether the Hybrid could give me the performance levels I was after safely. If so, then the hassle of fitting it may well be worth the cost saving. I can then put the extra towards a 6 speed box.

The Lateral doesn't need any cutting and fettling to fit, just the pipework. This is pretty straightforward to sort (friends in the pipe business) but does performance match the price premium? I know for a fact the Pace intercooler isn't rated much yet costs twice that of the Hybrid.

Price alone doesn't tell the whole story ;)

I am not totally off the idea of a different TMIC. If it can give the power levels I want safely at a similar price to the Hybrid FMIC, then I will give it consideration. Not having to cut the bumper and bodywork will allow the car to be returned to standard easily if necessary. The shorter pipework will also minimise lag.

I guess what I am after is a safe 320-340BHP but with the minimum of hassle....plug and play if you like. If the extra work is worth the effort, then I am all for it.

I think Harveys early WRX made 390+ bhp on the hybrid intercooler with std engine internals running a TD05-20g turbo.

Andy

Hi Andy, that's good to know :)

The reason I am now looking for a different Intercooler is because a supplier of the MRT TMIC I had ordered has let me down. I ordered it 6-8 weeks ago by phone and gave all of my details but when I rang today to see where it was, they had no knowledge of the order :mad:.

On the up side, I now have the coil packs replaced and the O2 sensor is on order. Hopefully, I will have a new intercooler pretty soon. How are you fixed for a mid December re-map and fitting of the Apexi boost control kit?

The car is running great btw and the fuel economy is much improved....I only used just over 1/2 tank to get home - a bit of a difference from the 3/4 tank to get to yours :)

Ok from mid Dec onwards.

Andy

Lateral Intercooler and turn the inlet manifold round too
Heres mine, nice and shiny rad and intercooler. Cheers Conrad :D
Attachment 49163