[XxSCAxX]

like ninjaboy said, i'd gather the parts and make sure you have extra cash laying around. its not cheap to start doing bigger upgrades.

[WRX4ME LE 482]

Many people have done the FMIC with the stock turbo thing, and it will work, and you will have power. Thing is, our turbo doesnt flow enough air and takes longer to fill the larger space of the FMIC + piping. This causes boost lag.

There is a certain amount of tuning that can be done to reduce this.

If it were me, and I was definitely about to buy an FMIC, I would put it on with the stock turbo. After enough playing around with it, if it totally sucked, I would just switch back until I got the bigger turbo. I dont think it would be that bad though.

[ninjaboy76]

Originally Posted by STIstud2k7

So when I get a fmic, I won't get heat soaked, right?

Even with a FMIC you can still heat soak. Any intercooler can heat soak in stop and go traffic, but once your moving again, it will cool back off. I would venture to say that the only time an intercooler can heat soak while on the boost is when the turbo becomes to large for the intercooler to keep up.

[STIstud2k7]

what is the BPV? Is it the bypass valve? Do I need one with the kit? Is the CSSPerformance fmic kit good quality product?

[04STiguy79]

Originally Posted by WESTI

Be careful with the CSS performance one. I paid for mine 2 wed. ago and its still not here. U should read the nasioc vendor review area

That sucks, I was just give him so ideas for a mid grade FMIC. It sounded like he on a budget but I personally go with a APS, I have the 725 but they also have the 525 just a slightly smaller core. Many vendors on here carry many product lines, search them on the vendor sales forums and go from there. Check out APS site:Subaru STI Performance

[fusionchicken]

Originally Posted by ninjaboy76

Even with a FMIC you can still heat soak. Any intercooler can heat soak in stop and go traffic, but once your moving again, it will cool back off. I would venture to say that the only time an intercooler can heat soak while on the boost is when the turbo becomes to large for the intercooler to keep up.

yup...my old Evo 9 was no fun in 100+ degree weather...the lag esp. off the line in 1st gear drove me NUTS sometimes lol

[Tweeter]

From first hand experience, the Ebay FMIC core isn't bad at all it's the piping fitment that is the big issue.

[WRX4ME LE 482]

Originally Posted by ninjaboy76

Even with a FMIC you can still heat soak. Any intercooler can heat soak in stop and go traffic, but once your moving again, it will cool back off. I would venture to say that the only time an intercooler can heat soak while on the boost is when the turbo becomes to large for the intercooler to keep up.

I believe this is probably true. The temp difference between a large IC and the stocker on the stock turbo is probably not much in most situations. You probably would stand to gain a little off the temp, however, and some from having a better flowing design. On the track the difference would probably be more apparent though.