SMIC info..

[onequickmsp]

Hey Guys and Girls.

I'm looking to do a SMIC setup for my MSP. I've deciced to go with Turbohoses kit because it's easy to install, I already have a Forge BOV and I want to use it with my kit, and most importantly, I plan on running my car in SOLO II events (autocross) in the summer so I want low end power. I know that Hiboost makes an Intercooler kit cheaper then the Turbohoses kit but it makes no power and some people have said that it doesn't flow freely and they get heating problems with the there radiators.

My questions are:

1. If I upgrade my intercooler with a SMIC, do I have to upgrade the ECU with something like Unichip? Will my engine run that much leaner with a SMIC?

2. Am I making a good choice with the SMIC over the Hiboost FMIC for the purpose of running my car in SOLO II events. I don't want a crazy setup. I was hoping for a SMIC, Weapon R intake, Forge BOV, Magnaflow system, and possibly a Unichip.

3. What exactly is "heatsoak" and how does this effect the engine?

Please help me out. Fellow MSP in need.

Thanks!!!

[orng1]

the metal intercooler absorbs heat and becomes "heat soaked" and it has a hard time cooling the charge air.

[MrDiggler]

I'll let some of the others jump in on the IC recommendation because I don't know squat about SOLO II and the load/time requirements. FWIW, intercooler heatsoak refers to the IC's inability to shed heat to the outside faster than it's soaking it up from the intake air. A properly sized and designed IC for your application should avoid that. The factory IC is a perfect example for heatsoak. One good hard run and it heats up quickly...you have to wait for the IC to cool back off before it can remove heat from the intake charge again. Back to back pulls on the dyno with the factory IC clearly demonstrate this.

[onequickmsp]

ok, cool. Thanks guys.

[ChopstickHero]

1. you don't have to upgrade the ECU to a Unichip or some other EMS/piggy back, however, it will be benefitial if you do. some kind of EMS will help you maximize the power out of all of your mods.

2. i dunno anything about SOLO II. but looks like you may benefit from more suspension work than just power mods.

3. heat soak is when metal becomes hot and in the case of an intercooler, loses it's efficiency to cool passing air. a turbohoses smic and other fmic are usually made of strong aluminum, which has a higher heat dissapating property than steel or mild steel. if it's hot enough, your car will heatsoak even before you start driving it. (like my car in california in the summer)

[onequickmsp]

awesome buddy. Thanks!!

[MrDiggler]

I'll be able to give you some feedback on the Turbohoses SMIC in a couple of days. I'm installing mine right now. Problem is, I'm also swapping trannys, exhaust, motor mounts and a bunch of other odds and ends. Never had so much fun in my life... *sticks gun in mouth*

[BOOSTR]

Another smic to consider is CustomMSP's smic. It can be had for $485 shipped and will noticeably increase the cars power. Heatsoak will no longer be an issue and can be used with stock or aftermarket intercooler piping. One of the hardest driven MSP's on the forum had this unit and noticed no heatsoak effects during several 1/4 mile runs back to back.

Its really hard to say which format is better than the other. It ultimately depends on your setup and how much you want to spend and what kind of installation process you want to endure. But the bottom line is either an upgraded smic of fmic will perform 100% better than the stock smic which was not designed for the MSP, its an off the shelf euro spec truck model.

[onequickmsp]

Where can I get CustomMSP's SMIC? What is the SMIC made of? (meterial used to make it?)

[SpeedBeaver]

Here you go.
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84443

[geomatics_tech]

I run the turbo hoses smic and hard pipes with a 2.5" mid pipe with high flow cat, great setup. The IC was the better of the two mods, drivability improved a lot, as I dont have to down shift as much in the corners now. Heat soak is gone, never feel the loss of power. THe install was easy and Cullen is great to deal with at **********.

I recently bought an mpi tuner (ems), Im hoping to maximize my setup now. The car did run good with the stock ecu.

shaun (canada)