front mount intercooler: why didn't subaru do this for the sti
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Delta, BC, Canada
Posts: 99
Car Info: 2000 Impreza 2.5RS BRP
The only limitation with TMIC is that it kinds of limit the power level because of the greater need of cooling - but then you're probably talking about 350-400+ hp. FMIC has more lag for sure...
#4
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: LA, 91355
Posts: 352
Car Info: '03 WRX WRB
find someone with an fmic w/pics.. look at the plumbing. its rediculous. even with the manifold flipped its pretty crazy. all that extra plumbing = laaag. if you look at a pic of the wrc engine bay they flip the manifold and mount the ic much higher than the usual and relocate the intake.. I think this layout is more efficient but still not as simple as a tmic.
#6
Registered User
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Honolulu, HI
Posts: 1,224
Car Info: 1991 Toyota MR-2 Turbo
The answer to almost any of those type of questions is $$$. Why would Subaru (or any other manufacturer) spend the extra money when what they already have (TMIC) is adequate for the stock vehicle?
In addition to the added cost of a FMIC, I'm sure their production line is setup to just drop in the motor assembly with the TMIC. Do a quick estimate on the amount of additional labor required to plumb in a FMIC in addition to additional crash testing to prove that the change is still structurally sound. etc..etc...
So what about production cars that have a FMIC like the Evo 8 and SRT-4. I'm willing to bet that the design of the front structure allows for efficient installation of the factory FMIC with a minimal amount of man-hours. Other factors such as the higher profile of an inline-4 (unlike our flat 4) would limit the locations to mount an IC. In other words they they either would have to go with a FMIC or a much smaller IC mounted in the fender (ala DSMs).
In addition to the added cost of a FMIC, I'm sure their production line is setup to just drop in the motor assembly with the TMIC. Do a quick estimate on the amount of additional labor required to plumb in a FMIC in addition to additional crash testing to prove that the change is still structurally sound. etc..etc...
So what about production cars that have a FMIC like the Evo 8 and SRT-4. I'm willing to bet that the design of the front structure allows for efficient installation of the factory FMIC with a minimal amount of man-hours. Other factors such as the higher profile of an inline-4 (unlike our flat 4) would limit the locations to mount an IC. In other words they they either would have to go with a FMIC or a much smaller IC mounted in the fender (ala DSMs).
#13
Originally posted by Mister 2
???What. They don't sell Evo 8s in Cali???
???What. They don't sell Evo 8s in Cali???
-dashiet
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
the fmic is not illegal.
the problem with fmic is getting the car to pass a crash test, and u can mount a plate on a vette, evo or anything, so thats irrelavant, and the whole CA thing is irrelavant too.
ca=smog
everystate has bumper laws but if the car in unbsafe it wont be sold.
the problem with fmic is getting the car to pass a crash test, and u can mount a plate on a vette, evo or anything, so thats irrelavant, and the whole CA thing is irrelavant too.
ca=smog
everystate has bumper laws but if the car in unbsafe it wont be sold.