[M3 Eater]

Was told that it had 4 inch core... perfect for me! It has a 6 inch core and I was a bit careless taking off my stocker...

I was told, drop the pan, drop the fmic, put this in place... 30 min install...I was told by the previous owner.


4 hours later... there is no way this is going in there without taking the bumper off... It just aint going to happen.

The inlet/outlet pipes are protruding too far in toward the back of the car to pull the bumper out and push a 6 inch core in. That why I made sure it was the 4 inch core when I bought it.... Except its a 6 inch core.

I would have gladly paid $400 more for a plug and play!

The unit itself looks like it's good quality, it was banged up pretty good when i got it, and I plan to buy a real fmic but wanted the experience of the install, to see how the unit performed, to see if a radiator is just a radiator!

HPF, RPI, have the stock inlet connector... man worth every penny, even if it does restrict some flow.... for the diy er that thinks that they won't have to trim and take their bumper off.... this x02/ Godspeed/ Spearco design is as hard as it comes to install. Unless you get the 4 inch core... that should fit fine and if its anything like this one, quality is AOK.

[mase]

Thanks for the info! Good luck with the install if you decide to go ahead with it..

[Jonny550]

Hay all that matters is that its good quality and we know it fits its just a pain in the ass buto take off the bumper .

pm me if you want to sell it bro.

[ModBargainsTech]

I actually tested this FMIC long time ago and it CAN fit without removing the bumper. But the problem is you can't reuse your stock underpanel because the intercooler sticks out about 1 inch from bottom.

-Frank

[M3 Eater]

I could have left the bumper on I think. I had to cut the under side bumper lining to get it in. It's no one person job, that's for sure. Xo2 has a 4 inch thick core and a 6 inch version as well. I wanted the 4 for easy install. If I knew, I would have went with a different model, big tom or cx or godspeed has a new one for about 150. Welds were great, my unit was damaged when I got. Dented to he'll underneath. I used a hammer and a flat head to pound it straight in between the fins. Had I got the new unit I would have believed it was the spearco based on the fins an the welds. I will post some logs (jb4) before and after. I only wAnted a reduction in wpm activity based on a low pressure drop. Now that it's in, I'm glad I have 6 inch core. InstAll was fun. It was unexpected as I was expecting a 4 in core. hardest part was tightening the hose clamps after it was in place. The bumper trim was simple and clean. I have a bracket that holds the unit an inch higher. The previous owner filed down the tabs and fashioned a support brace. Works well. I haven't reset the ecu yet but looks like I'm making
Boost fine so no leaks. I uses different hose clamps than what xo2 provided. Looks like the previous owner also cut the pipe to the charge elbow as well. Looks like the pipe was a bit long making
For a sharp turn at the coupler.

I like the unit, had I known, I may have gone with something bigger. Hpf looks to be a solid choice for big power and no cut install.
I have meth kit so cooling isn't an issue but pressure drop may have been. Helix looks good too.

[cn555ic]

Originally Posted by M3 Eater

I could have left the bumper on I think. I had to cut the under side bumper lining to get it in. It's no one person job, that's for sure. Xo2 has a 4 inch thick core and a 6 inch version as well. I wanted the 4 for easy install. If I knew, I would have went with a different model, big tom or cx or godspeed has a new one for about 150. Welds were great, my unit was damaged when I got. Dented to he'll underneath. I used a hammer and a flat head to pound it straight in between the fins. Had I got the new unit I would have believed it was the spearco based on the fins an the welds. I will post some logs (jb4) before and after. I only wAnted a reduction in wpm activity based on a low pressure drop. Now that it's in, I'm glad I have 6 inch core. InstAll was fun. It was unexpected as I was expecting a 4 in core. hardest part was tightening the hose clamps after it was in place. The bumper trim was simple and clean. I have a bracket that holds the unit an inch higher. The previous owner filed down the tabs and fashioned a support brace. Works well. I haven't reset the ecu yet but looks like I'm making
Boost fine so no leaks. I uses different hose clamps than what xo2 provided. Looks like the precious owner also cut the pipe to the charge elbow as well. Looks like the pipe was a bit long making
For a sharp turn at the coupler.

I like the unit, had I known, I may have gone with something bigger. Hpf looks to be a solid choice for big power and no cut install.
I have meth kit so cooling isn't an issue but pressure drop may have been. Helix looks good too.

THe HPF requires a ton of trimming to the front shroud...I had to cut about 2.5 inches off the entire front!

[Will335i]

I just put my Forge in on Saturday. While getting the stock piping out was a pain it went right in and it is definitely bigger. Idk if it is just the weather but I haven't seen my temp go over 210degF since I installed it. I hope to notice more improvements when I put the procede back in.

Congrats on the new FMIC I hope you enjoy.

[Forcefed3]

Originally Posted by cn555ic

THe HPF requires a ton of trimming to the front shroud...I had to cut about 2.5 inches off the entire front!

+1

[M3 Eater]

oh sorry... I just watched a video where they skipped that part...

[M3 Eater]

Oh... throttle adaptions...I hate doing them as my car is so moody when it come to that. You guys think I should do it or is it unnecessary as long as I do all the air adaptions. I reset the ecu on the way home from work.

[M3 Eater]

[ATTACH[/ATTACH]here a before and after.... i should have logged the boost target for sure.... I want to make sure that nothing is leaking...

sorry they are crappy comparison logs but this "after" log they were my first runs. I have a feeling that after the reset jb4 will get progressively stronger over the first 5-10 runs. This was a late adapted before, and a 3rd run with the fmic. I will update the comparison log as I do more runs. Looks like meth was flowing a little better in the "after" log. Iat is lower but if there was more meth flowing then it means nothing.... wpm appears leak free on both runs so looks like my stock charge pipe was leaking just enough to slightly over stress the new snails.

[M3 Eater]

new log...

hear some whistling coming from under the hood... like a little leak but not sure if its signifigant. Hate to hear it whistle though...

[M3 Eater]

hmmm. boost was consistantly higher with stock intercooler. I wonder if there was a reason this guy sold me this unit. I am about 1 psi under target for the whole run. Does that happen when you upgrade the fmic?? Or did i just get what I paid for .

I was under the impression that anything was better than stock. This unit came to me all dented up. I blew in one side and put my hand over the other and it seemed to hold air well.

I had to change a coupler that kept blowing off and I used the stock pipe to connect to as well. I am starting to become disappointed. My car was running so very strong... i was looking for the same performance, perhaps some lower temps and less wpm.

now i am under target...Im thinking that the damage was too severe. The unit looks like quality work.. just beat up a bit.

[Jonny550]

prolly just a leak somewhere. Or just the normal pressure drop you would have with an upgraded FMIC.

Its def working check out your before and after ait's.

[M3 Eater]

Ok, I know that the induction sound was enhanced by the new charge pipe. Now I am wondering, if the snails are echoing through an all metal fmic and an all metal charge pipe, could this whistling I hear just be the turbos amplified by all the new plumbing? I kinda get how colder air takes up less space and so turbos blowing just as hard make less boost and more hp. My target and boost are not that far apart now that I can allow .5-.7 psi loss from target to pre-boost given there is a .2 pressure loss on this unit as advertised and now my temps are below 60 most of the time. Maybe this unit is performing and not leaking. Not too sure just yet.

[M3 Eater]

Could a bunch of oil in the unit cause a lag and low boost?

[M3 Eater]

installed new couplers. Hump couplers from frozen boost between the ic and the up-line piping... Car feels much stronger now. I don't want to do logs and learn other wise just yet. Its nice thinking that I might have it right for now.

[M3 Eater]

New Logs. Looking better but only boosting around 14 for now.

[M3 Eater]

oh, no snorkel in either because of all the work I have been doing making a pipe for this damn thing...

[M3 Eater]

after redesigning the lower ic pipe, the unit works great to 15 psi. I see a bit of pressure loss as I go higher than that. Great stage 1 or 2 intercooler for $399 off ebay.

[BrianMN]

Originally Posted by M3 Eater

Great stage 1 or 2 intercooler for $399 off ebay.

Yeah man, after seeing you update this thread with your issues this IC is super tempting!

[M3 Eater]

found boost leaking from a coupler with a pinhole in it...... FMIC is SOLID. AND SOLD.