[punchitchewie]

So I am new to this forum and to the world of turbo charging. I have a 07 e92 335i. I love it. So fun to drive, I actually enjoy driving now. I have also recently installed a JB4 G4 and DCI. Now I use this car as a daily driver and do not race, I mean I do get on it here and there, but want to keep it as long as possible. With that train of thought, I figured the aforementioned mods were all I was doing. But the more I read up on turbocharging and the fact that I live in Central Texas where the air temp is very high most months of the year, I should probably replace my stock FMIC. I think the stock one, given stock boost is adequate for most situations. But now that I am, at times, running much higher boost (via JB4), I am thinking for longevity, a larger more efficient FMIC is smart. Any thoughts/recommendations? I am not looking to race nor put 500hp to the car BTW. Also, while I do not mind brand recommendations, I do not want to start any flaming wars.

[n54door]

Here are my personal thoughts, and I can also relate being in Texas.

A FMIC is worth it's weight in gold if you're concerned about back to back runs, such as track runs, autocrossing, etc. Otherwise, I would recommend mixing in about 3-4 gallons of E85 into a full tank (30% e85 roughly) and run your JB4 on Map 5. This is what I did (used to have a JB4), and it worked wonders.

The E85 has a cooling effect which will help with the heat. Running Meth has a similar effect but with greater risk, which always concerned me.


Personally, I'd save the money on a FMIC and put it into a DP. You will get a better bang for the buck along with the e85.

FMIC is for endurance, mostly, IMO.

[punchitchewie]

Thanks for the reply. I found that there is a e85 pump in Buda which is about 15 mins away. I was going to try some e85 but for the HP gains I have read about. I wasn't aware of the cooling properties.

[BD_F22]

I would honestly recommend it, not for the power gain but for the consistancy factor.. Im from ny and my next mod will be a fmic because ive been heatsoaking with the ny summer heat so i cant imagine the type of heatsoaking going on in texas

[bdaddylo]

FMIC relies on airflow. If your commute is comprised of stop and go traffic, an upgraded FMIC will do nothing for you.

[threethirtyfive]

I'd agree with the above. Frankly it's cheap enough to just go FBO and run a few gallons of e85. The results are great, where in centex? We have two places here in Austin, luckily one station is near our house. Love me some e85.

[punchitchewie]

At threethirtyfive, I am in Austin too. I work by 360/183 but live down south in Oak Hill. Where is the station by you? And when you say you agree with the above, which comment above? DP's/FMIC/e85?

[threethirtyfive]

Nice! I live just off Steck and Mesa. The station is on the corner of 183 and Spicewood Springs at Valero, two pumps.

I agree with the e85 helping a lot and the FMIC benefiting back to back pulls. At highway speeds my 7" VRSF does a good job of keeping my temps reasonable. I never get terrible heat soak unless I am sitting in heinous traffic.

[TrAcK TRaP]

looks like many people using E85 here only with tune,IC and downpipe? woww never tried and there is a couple place close to me who sell E85. only tried VP100 and dont do anything :/ let me go out and put 2 gallons and see if it will make any difference

[punchitchewie]

Originally Posted by threethirtyfive

Nice! I live just off Steck and Mesa. The station is on the corner of 183 and Spicewood Springs at Valero, two pumps.

I agree with the e85 helping a lot and the FMIC benefiting back to back pulls. At highway speeds my 7" VRSF does a good job of keeping my temps reasonable. I never get terrible heat soak unless I am sitting in heinous traffic.

Awesome I can get to that station in like 3 mins, I will have to try that. i work with a guy that has a 135 and he just installed a FMIC, has jb4 etc. Will tell him too. Thanks. What other mods do you have?

[threethirtyfive]

Nice! You will really enjoy it if you haven't already tried. Do a few 2-3-4 and 3-4 pulls to set everything and you will be rocking and rolling! Here is a run down of what I have. There are a ton of us up here, we should all get together.

AG M359 19x9/10 et 18/25
Yoko Advan AD08 235/35-265/30
KW V2 Coils
Full M front control arm conversion
JB4 G5 Stg3
VRSF DP's
VRSF 7" FMIC w/ lower pipe
BMW Performance Exhaust
Stett CAI
M Tri Color Wheel w/M Trim
DCT Paddle Upgrade
Mod My Nav rear view camera
Rando Interface module from Europe (same as MMN etc)
Carbon Leather interior trim
M5 Shift Knob upgrade with working lights
BMW Alcantara Boot
MARS LCI look Pre LCI tails
Full LED interior/accessories bulb conversion
Complete OEM M3 front conversion - Fenders, Hood, Core, Bumpers, Lights
New color on its way

Originally Posted by punchitchewie

Awesome I can get to that station in like 3 mins, I will have to try that. i work with a guy that has a 135 and he just installed a FMIC, has jb4 etc. Will tell him too. Thanks. What other mods do you have?

[vashthe3rd]

Fellow Texan here,

A FMIC will be useful for a few scenarios (in order of what I assume is what you're most likely to be doing):
1. Road trip
2. Fun runs at the drag strip
3. Texas mile
4. TX2KXX

(The last 3 were just assuming you participate in those events)
Otherwise E85 mix or running meth is your best bet in terms of cost.

[deathbunny]

I live in vegas so I have similar heat as you do. My FMIC made a bigger difference than any other hardware mod I have done so far (FMIC, Catless DP, DCI). I also run a mix of E85 and before I got the upgraded IC I could tell it was not happy even with a single pull. Getting the FMIC and running the + stage maps made a HUGE difference and I am only running a 5" vrsf fmic. Yes running a mix of E85 will have cooling effects but your DME will NOT know about it so it can and will still pull timing because your IATs are higher than they should be. I highly recommend a better FMIC esp over other mods like downpipes.

I completely disagree that downpipes would be a bigger bang for your buck mod than a FMIC would esp living in texas.

NOTE I am running cobb. JB4/5 might react differently to the various hardware mods.

[BoostAddict]

An aftermarket FMIC really helps in multi gear pulls, especially if in a hot climate like you live in. One of my friends went from a 114 trap to a 116.8mph trap just from a adding a FMIC. I'm not saying it added a bunch of power, but I'm saying he kept the power that he started the run with until the end.

[The Ghost]

+1 it makes a huge difference in consistency. I also dyno'd +10whp from a FMIC. It's 104F here today, but IATs stay relatively cool.

The order I did my mods were: tune, FMIC, DPs, DCI, e85, LSD.

[punchitchewie]

wow. first thanks to all who have responded to help this noob. second I would love to meet up with fellow austi ites. three thirty five I don't even unite what all if that is but sounds good

[CBR6n335Iracer]

hey guys, also a fellow ctx'er, but im just a little north up here at fort hood,if you all get together let me know im totally down. also if you want some info on mfest, the texas rep is a sgt up here at fort hood and they do weekly meets on fridays. if you also are interested in trying an autocross event theres one coming up on sept 15. i did my first last weekend, it was a lot of fun. my car is my daily driver and im also worried about keeping it for a long time and having itbe reliable. pm me for more info or if yall are getting together

[n54door]

Join us in the Southwest region section of the forum btw..

[Greatdane84]

Once you pull out the stock FMIC you'll be disgusted at that OEM POS. I almost took it out back and made a scene like Office Space with the printer... But I figured a backup would be good.

[feedmyfast]

Originally Posted by Greatdane84

Once you pull out the stock FMIC you'll be disgusted at that OEM POS. I almost took it out back and made a scene like Office Space with the printer... But I figured a backup would be good.

Damn i heard the OEM FMIC was bad but damn i didnt think it was Office Space serious. I just received my FMIC yesterday in the mail i cant wait to put it on, the South FL heat is killing my poor car.

[Greatdane84]

+1 to south Florida!