Anyone who has installed APS DR725 or DR525 FMIC

daemon · 04-21-2006, 02:57 PM

I just got a DR525 and there are zero instructions or diagrams. There are some diagrams of the DR725 install on APS' web site, but it doesn't seem to answer all of my questions. The most immediate of which is... how much am I supposed to be cutting off my car?

Any other tips/tricks required for the install? All advice welcome and appreciated.

BM_STi · 04-21-2006, 03:13 PM

I'm about to install mine once it comes in, but ive been studying the instructions and if i were you i'd mount the new bumper beam then work from that. cause i dont think the 525 sits that close to the radiator support.

daemon · 04-21-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BM_STi

if i were you i'd mount the new bumper beam then work from that.

Have fun trying that.

The 525 IC core comes pre-attached to the bumper beam.

BM_STi · 04-21-2006, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daemon

Have fun trying that.

The 525 comes pre-attached to the bumper beam.

wow sounds like I'll be having fun. so its welded to the bumper beam?

daemon · 04-21-2006, 03:24 PM

No. Sorry, I take that back. It does come preassmebeled, and on first glance I took them for permanent'ish rivet-style connections. Looks like an allen wrench could take them out. However, I don't really see the point in doing it. With it as-is, if you try to mount the bumper beam, the IC core will hit those points I marked in the photo. So I guess I really do have to hack them off. I was just hoping for some confirmation before I start decimating my car further.

BM_STi · 04-21-2006, 03:26 PM

I'm glad I bought a dremel! LOL

kevinh211 · 04-21-2006, 03:41 PM

i have the TurboXS FMIC and i did have to trim those three metal things back.

daemon · 04-21-2006, 03:41 PM

Oh yeah. My dremel is one of my favorite tools these days. When you gotta have it, you gotta have it.

daemon · 04-21-2006, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinh211

i have the TurboXS FMIC and i did have to trim those three metal things back.

OK. Thanks. I guess it is a normal thing to do then. Though I really didn't expect to be cutting this much stuff.

boostorlose · 04-21-2006, 03:56 PM

I have the DR725 and let me tell you, when you think you've cut enough off, go ahead and cut a little more. I trimmed, and trimmed, and fit, and trimmed some more. I really had to hack apart behind the fog covers. The three rings must be trimmed off along with the bolt eyelets on the flanks in the picture you posted. PM me if you need any help. Good luck with it. Just take your time, especially when it comes to the bumper. Cut very little at a time. Good luck.

-Mike

daemon · 04-21-2006, 04:12 PM

Thanks. I assume this means you have to trim off part of the subframe since two of those holes are for the two small front bolts of the subframe?

higB_0x05 · 04-21-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daemon

I just got a DR525 and there are zero instructions or diagrams. There are some diagrams of the DR725 install on APS' web site, but it doesn't seem to answer all of my questions. The most immediate of which is... how much am I supposed to be cutting off my car?

Any other tips/tricks required for the install? All advice welcome and appreciated.

yes you most def will have to cut all those tabs and trim it. I've also heard of people cutting nitches and bending it all back.

Forget about using arts-and-craft hobby tools for a FMIC install.

I used this for almost all the cutting:

I also had to to make that secion smooth with this tool: I needed to trim back that lip to just beyond where those bolts would be.

A dremel has no place in a fmic install unless youre a masochist.

Here are some more tips:

-You will have to relocate the horn
-Don't forget to paint any bare metal as a result from cutting
-You will need to cut a lot more off the fog light surrounds then the template indicates otherwise your bumper won't go back on.
-Take all the hose clamps APS gives you and toss them in the garbage. Put T-bolt clamps on now or suffer later.
-Trim the center opening and then smooth out the cut with a sanding block.
-you may wan't to order rubber edging from http://www.mcmaster.com/ to make it look even better.
-Don't even bother trying to install the APS supplied coupler that connects the pipes by the battery. Buy a 10inch 2.5 ID hose from this guy http://stores.ebay.com/Dev-Station and cut in in half.

good luck.

higB_0x05 · 04-21-2006, 04:21 PM

also you probably want to get a radiator shroud to fill in the fugly gap:

daemon · 04-21-2006, 04:27 PM

Wow. Looks good. I think I was a little delusional to how long this install was going to take. They make it sound like it just bolts right on. Um... I guess not. Oh well, I'll get it done.

BM_STi · 04-21-2006, 04:30 PM

what is the air tool cutter you posted up? whats the pricing on it? im guessing its an air reciprocating saw

04-21-2006, 02:57 PM	#1
daemon Professional STI Racer Car: 2004 STi Location: Florida Posts: 806 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Anyone who has installed APS DR725 or DR525 FMIC I just got a DR525 and there are zero instructions or diagrams. There are some diagrams of the DR725 install on APS' web site, but it doesn't seem to answer all of my questions. The most immediate of which is... how much am I supposed to be cutting off my car? Any other tips/tricks required for the install? All advice welcome and appreciated. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

04-21-2006, 04:30 PM	#15
BM_STi S204 Racer Car: 04.7 AW STi Fav Mod: EQ Tuning Location: NorCal (707) Posts: 2,835 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (6)	what is the air tool cutter you posted up? whats the pricing on it? im guessing its an air reciprocating saw This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by BM_STi : 04-21-2006 at 04:36 PM.

04-21-2006, 03:13 PM	#2
BM_STi S204 Racer Car: 04.7 AW STi Fav Mod: EQ Tuning Location: NorCal (707) Posts: 2,835 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (6)	I'm about to install mine once it comes in, but ive been studying the instructions and if i were you i'd mount the new bumper beam then work from that. cause i dont think the 525 sits that close to the radiator support.

04-21-2006, 03:24 PM	#5
daemon Professional STI Racer Car: 2004 STi Location: Florida Posts: 806 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	No. Sorry, I take that back. It does come preassmebeled, and on first glance I took them for permanent'ish rivet-style connections. Looks like an allen wrench could take them out. However, I don't really see the point in doing it. With it as-is, if you try to mount the bumper beam, the IC core will hit those points I marked in the photo. So I guess I really do have to hack them off. I was just hoping for some confirmation before I start decimating my car further.

04-21-2006, 03:26 PM	#6
BM_STi S204 Racer Car: 04.7 AW STi Fav Mod: EQ Tuning Location: NorCal (707) Posts: 2,835 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (6)	I'm glad I bought a dremel! LOL

04-21-2006, 03:41 PM	#7
kevinh211 Junior STI Driver Location: LI, NY Posts: 179 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	i have the TurboXS FMIC and i did have to trim those three metal things back.

04-21-2006, 03:56 PM	#10
boostorlose Junior STI Driver Car: AW 05 STI Fav Mod: Go fast ones Location: Northeast Posts: 144 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	I have the DR725 and let me tell you, when you think you've cut enough off, go ahead and cut a little more. I trimmed, and trimmed, and fit, and trimmed some more. I really had to hack apart behind the fog covers. The three rings must be trimmed off along with the bolt eyelets on the flanks in the picture you posted. PM me if you need any help. Good luck with it. Just take your time, especially when it comes to the bumper. Cut very little at a time. Good luck. -Mike

04-21-2006, 04:12 PM	#11
daemon Professional STI Racer Car: 2004 STi Location: Florida Posts: 806 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks. I assume this means you have to trim off part of the subframe since two of those holes are for the two small front bolts of the subframe?

04-21-2006, 04:21 PM	#13
higB_0x05 Senior STI Driver Car: 05 STI Fav Mod: Utec Location: NoVa Posts: 351 Join Date: Sep 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	also you probably want to get a radiator shroud to fill in the fugly gap:

04-21-2006, 04:27 PM	#14
daemon Professional STI Racer Car: 2004 STi Location: Florida Posts: 806 Join Date: Feb 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Wow. Looks good. I think I was a little delusional to how long this install was going to take. They make it sound like it just bolts right on. Um... I guess not. Oh well, I'll get it done.