New TMIC

[zoomspeed3zoom]

I was looking at the two new TMIC's protege garage offered for my MS3. The first was the AutoEXE TMIC, which runs a painfull $1,499.95. The next was the ETS TMIC upgrade which runs a more affordable $544.95. I recently installed the MazdaSpeed CAI last week and am looking for another mod/project to focus on. Is this something that I'd want to do and would I actually notice any hp gains out of it? I was also wondering why anyone would pay nearly $1,000.00 more for the AutoEXE intercooler?
Thanks for any advice.

[numbnuts22715]

From what I've read, AutoEXE's quality is top notch. If I were you, I would probably get a downpipe instead of the intercooler... You should notice more of a gain, and a better sound will come with it. From what I've read on the other forum, there is another manufacturer working on a new top mount. I think they said it was TRZ. There is no release date that I know of, and the price is going to be a little more expensive than the ETS because of soemthing theyre doing. I would definitely say a new ntercooler would be something you'd want, but wait a little bit to see if anything better comes out
The guy talking about it said that the ets's core is too big, so it somewhat blocks part of the air moving into the engine bay from the ducts, so if I were you, I would wait to get that one..
You can either get a corksport downpipe for 350, and a test pipe, which would total around 500, or you wanna stay catted, you could get the CPE downpipe, which i think is somehere around 630 or something, but it includes a highflow cat, which may be important to some people.

hope that helps.

[SwampAss]

I have a 3.25 from ETS. I thought it was going to look like a steaming pile when I took it out of the box (based on some previous comments)
The welds were all clean and in all honesty, it looks very nice.
The Autoexe is a 3 inch core I believe. There's a lot of talk about 3inch cores making the same HP as 3.25 and 3.5. Personally, I don't know.
I notice that my mid range seemed to fatten up nicely and it pulls a bit harder to redline. Power still drops off @ 6k or so but it's not as apparent.
It didn't totally transform the car like the CAI did. All in all though, it's a solid mod for the money and easy to change back for dealer visits.
I'm happy with mine.

[tru-boost]

TRZ is making me the prototype TMIC right now !! it will be 3" thick and similar to the ETS. it will also replace the extension tube that the BOV attaches to. neither the ETS or auto exe do that. if you really want it now i would say go for the 3" ETS. NOT the 3.25 or 3.5" TRZ found that the thicker cores actually restirct airflow over half of the core ! not to mention a 3" core can support 500whp @ 30 psi...why would you need bigger ? the auto exe is actually 2.75" thick. they also saw that a really thick core was no good. their IC will show very similar gains but looks a whole lot better. i personally would not spend an extra $600 just for it to look nicer.

[Ryz]

How the heck do you know why autoexec did what they did, now your a mindreader.

[numbnuts22715]

TRZ is making me the prototype TMIC right now !! it will be 3" thick and similar to the ETS. it will also replace the extension tube that the BOV attaches to. neither the ETS or auto exe do that. if you really want it now i would say go for the 3" ETS. NOT the 3.25 or 3.5" TRZ found that the thicker cores actually restirct airflow over half of the core ! not to mention a 3" core can support 500whp @ 30 psi...why would you need bigger ? the auto exe is actually 2.75" thick. they also saw that a really thick core was no good. their IC will show very similar gains but looks a whole lot better. i personally would not spend an extra $600 just for it to look nicer.

make them hurry up and come out with it!

[ViDeo^_^kiD]

Isn't Auto-Exe a foreign product? Or am I mistaking. Hence the price to import it.

[tru-boost]

How the heck do you know why autoexec did what they did, now your a mindreader.

you are right.... they made it small, cuz thats what people like to see when they buy an IC ! what other reason could it be ? surely not price. there is only like a $10 difference between a 2.75" core and a 3.5" core. i think auto exe did there homework ...just like TRZ. and they did not just squeeze in whatever fit.

[SwampAss]

Isn't Auto-Exe a foreign product? Or am I mistaking. Hence the price to import it.

It's probably not the price of importing as you'd just be paying to have it shipped here. The price may be reflective of the tanking USD and the usually high Yen.

[Ryz]

you are right.... they made it small, cuz thats what people like to see when they buy an IC ! what other reason could it be ? surely not price. there is only like a $10 difference between a 2.75" core and a 3.5" core. i think auto exe did there homework ...just like TRZ. and they did not just squeeze in whatever fit.

When you are making a point about a "product" that you are developing any assumptions on your part make you look less professional. The fact that those you are promoting see it and you don't is sad.

[tru-boost]

you are right i guess... i cant say why auto exe made their IC the size they did, so lets disregard that. what i can tell you is why TRZ is making theirs that size. as i stated we have found that too thick of a core hinders airflow over the core...this is not good for efficiency. i know you have the 3.5" ETS and i must say i dont blame you for getting it. i almost got one myself. but after my good friend at TRZ tell me it was too thick, and a bad idea, i decided against it. i am not trying to pick a fight here. i'm just telling you what i know.

[AzMz3]

you are right i guess... i cant say why auto exe made their IC the size they did, so lets disregard that. what i can tell you is why TRZ is making theirs that size. as i stated we have found that too thick of a core hinders airflow over the core...this is not good for efficiency. i know you have the 3.5" ETS and i must say i dont blame you for getting it. i almost got one myself. but after my good friend at TRZ tell me it was too thick, and a bad idea, i decided against it. i am not trying to pick a fight here. i'm just telling you what i heard.

Fixed it for you. :lol:

[CitizenPro]

Autoexe is JDM, and crazy expensive. No matter what they produce....your paying for the name.

[ZooMIN3]

Fixed it for you. :lol:

Nice! lol

I find these post hilarious!! BOOYAH!!!

Ok, so back on topic. TMIC isn't really the biggest mod you'd want to go with unless you upgraded the turbo, right? Wouldn't the only reason to have a bigger core is to run more boost? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'm always down for some constructive critism.

I'd just save the XXX amount of dollars and use it on something more beneficial ahead of time, say DP w/hi flow. I'm sure gains there are a lot bigger than the TMIC, unless one were to upgrade the turbo as well. But wouldn't upping the boost on our MS3 need upgrading of some internals as well? Gear heads, respond please!

-J

::Heads to B&N to pick up a copy of "Books for Dummis on Turbo Charged Cars::

[SwampAss]

The stock intercooler is restrictive in design. I can only say from my own experience but adding the ETS upgraded TMIC yielded results I could immediately feel. It's the 3.25. I am happy with the results.

[Rotus8]

The stock intercooler is restrictive in design. I can only say from my own experience but adding the ETS upgraded TMIC yielded results I could immediately feel. It's the 3.25. I am happy with the results.
+1. Couldn't have said it better.

[ccann26]

how long did it take you to get your ETS . Seems like they are running slow right now I ordered one over 2 weeks ago and still no word

[Rotus8]

how long did it take you to get your ETS . Seems like they are running slow right now I ordered one over 2 weeks ago and still no word
My experience probably doesn't apply - it was about 9 months ago.

[SwampAss]

how long did it take you to get your ETS . Seems like they are running slow right now I ordered one over 2 weeks ago and still no word


I ordered mine from ETS directly. I had originally gone through another vendor on this site and was less than pleased. I called ETS directly who had it to my door in a bit over a week. It was my understanding that they had just completed a run though. Your mileage may vary.

[Ryz]

Found mine used on Ebay. It's one of their earlier ones but works for me.

[AutoXRacer]

Ryz,

Have you received your TMIC yet? What improvements have you noticed?
What are the differenced between the stock piece and the ETS one?

[Ryz]

I've had the TMIC for a while. It seems that top end opened up quite a bit. They are very different in design. The ETS has much more surface area to absorb/release heat.

[companyman]

I just put my ETS 3.25" TMIC in a few days ago and the first thing I noticed after a long drive is the intercooler is cool to the touch, almost cold. The stock intercooler would be extremely warm, if not hot, after that same drive.

I have the cobb SRI and the intercooler as my performance mods and the car is a different animal now. Holds boost longer, turbo spools quicker, pulls a lot stronger. I'm very pleased with the results.

The only problem i have right now is that on hard shifts, the intercooler does hit the backside of the engine bay. I'm going to put the corksport inserts in today, hopefully, and see if that takes most of that away.

[Ryz]

Once you start making changes the rear mount is pretty much required.

[AutoXRacer]

So the TMIC is bigger than the stock...? You guys are having rubbing/impact issues with this intercooler...? Is there a size that will fit like stock and not come in contact with adjacent components...?

[redspeed]

Once you upgrade the rear mount, there wont be any problems with the tmic hitting the firewall.

[AutoXRacer]

Does the stock one hit as well when the TQ is increased...?

[redspeed]

Nope, just the upgraded one.

[AutoXRacer]

How hard is it to upgrade the rear mount? Is there increased vibration with this upgraded mount?

[redspeed]

I have the SU(street unit) and for the first month there was VERY light vibs, mostly when the a/c was on. After that it feels normal. It only takes about 30-45 min to install and its a very good upgrade.

[AutoXRacer]

Is there a lot of disassembly to get this mount installed?
I'm assuming you got used to the increased vibes... ;)

Are there any other companies that make this mount?

[SwampAss]

The mount replacement is 2 17mm bolts and 3 19mm bolts. Takes about 15 minutes tops. I have an 88 durometer AWR and it doesn't vibe enough to matter.

[Ryz]

There are several options out there, find the one you like the most and go for it. Even without any upgrades it will help you put the power down.

[companyman]

I got the corksport motor mount inserts and installed them a couple hours ago. There is hardly any vibration increase..a slight one but nothing big. You only feel it at idle.

It didn't stop my ETS TMIC from hitting the back of the engine bay..i'm guessing because it's not stiff enough. However, I know where it's hitting and it's just a piece of plastic..so I think i'm going to trim the plastic down and leave it at that.

[redspeed]

Is there a lot of disassembly to get this mount installed?
I'm assuming you got used to the increased vibes... ;)

Are there any other companies that make this mount?

No, it takes about a month to brake in the su mount. Is a #62 urethane, so is stiffer than stock, without being hardcore. The reason the stock mount sucks is because of the gap in the ruber that allows for A LOT of movement.

Check this video and see the movement:Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rberk07Lozs&mode=related&search=)

And a pic of the stock mount:

[SwampAss]

I got the corksport motor mount inserts and installed them a couple hours ago. There is hardly any vibration increase..a slight one but nothing big. You only feel it at idle.

It didn't stop my ETS TMIC from hitting the back of the engine bay..i'm guessing because it's not stiff enough. However, I know where it's hitting and it's just a piece of plastic..so I think i'm going to trim the plastic down and leave it at that.


You know what's weird? My ETS 3.25 never hit anything with the stock mount. I just upgraded the rear mount to reduce wheel hop. I know I've read others have the same issue as you. I wonder if it's a design difference.

[companyman]

It could be a design thing. Here are some pics of mine that I took tonight.

You can see the gap between the TMIC and the back of the engine bay and where it's hitting at.

[AutoXRacer]

No, it takes about a month to brake in the su mount. Is a #62 urethane, so is stiffer than stock, without being hardcore. The reason the stock mount sucks is because of the gap in the ruber that allows for A LOT of movement.

Check this video and see the movement:Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rberk07Lozs&mode=related&search=)

And a pic of the stock mount:

Is that stock mount torn...? Eww, thats a horrible design...
So, by replacing just the rear mount you reduce that jerking of the engine?

What exactly do you have to disassemble to get to that rear mount? Is it like the bolt adjustment/torquing on the 2007 where you have to remove the battery, battery tray, etc...?

[numbnuts22715]

Is that stock mount torn...? Eww, thats a horrible design...
So, by replacing just the rear mount you reduce that jerking of the engine?

What exactly do you have to disassemble to get to that rear mount? Is it like the bolt adjustment/torquing on the 2007 where you have to remove the battery, battery tray, etc...?

you can jack up the car and get to it from the bottom of the car.. pretty easy install.

[AutoXRacer]

Damn, another mod to the list... I was hoping not to mod this car all that much... My last car, I moded every single thing on; I was hoping to take a vacation from modding... :)

Thanks for the info guys...

Is there a specific brand that is better than another?

[numbnuts22715]

Damn, another mod to the list... I was hoping not to mod this car all that much... My last car, I moded every single thing on; I was hoping to take a vacation from modding... :)

Thanks for the info guys...

Is there a specific brand that is better than another?

A lot of people like the TRZ dog bone... I'll most likely be getting that.
Protege garage sells it.

[tru-boost]

TRZ for sure !!

[Falconx84]

you know, I hate to be the one to say it, I really do, but there is a search function... theres all kinds of info about motor mounts

[Ryz]

I like my SU mount.

[ccann26]

looks like everyone has gotten their ETS except for me :mad: my dealer hasn't gotten his shipment yet I guess .

[SwampAss]

how long ago was it ordered?

[ccann26]

october 9th (boom07) I did get an email saying the status has changed to shipped with no tracking number on it .

[tru-boost]

i know from when i ordered just a bare core from ETS that they seem to have 2 speeds of operation......... slow and slower !

[SwampAss]

I talked to someone from ETS. They make runs of them. They don't ship until the entire run is completed I believe I was told.

[ccann26]

yeah I was warned they drag like crazy ....

[crystalmeth3]

i have never seen a pic of an aftermarket ic with the stock plastic shroud. does the plastic shroud fit, how about on the 3'' designs? Wouldnt there be a loss in the amount of air flow that is directed on to the ic without the plastic shroud that mates to the seal under the hood?

[SwampAss]

shroud doesn't fit. The metal plate around the TMIC makes the seal now.

[crystalmeth3]

ty swampbutt

[ccann26]

Not super impressed with it . Don't get me wrong its a definite improvement over the original you can tell just by the quality of the design The original doesn't even look like one solid paice... I just did'nt feel as much as I wanted on the butt dyno. I dont think i felt much at all . but its hard to tell its getting cold here and there is a big difference when its cold out and when its warm . i'm sure this will be a big Improvement in conjunction with other mods. Seems like it breathes a little easier...

[Ryz]

So tired of hearing about "butt" impressions. It's going to open up hp not torque.

[SwampAss]

Weird, the gains I noticed were more midrange power which I assumed was torque.

[Ryz]

Pre motor usually increases HP unless you up boost, post motor is usually a torque changer.

[clos561]

Not super impressed with it . Don't get me wrong its a definite improvement over the original you can tell just by the quality of the design The original doesn't even look like one solid paice... I just did'nt feel as much as I wanted on the butt dyno. I dont think i felt much at all . but its hard to tell its getting cold here and there is a big difference when its cold out and when its warm . i'm sure this will be a big Improvement in conjunction with other mods. Seems like it breathes a little easier...
how long has it been installed? maybe the ecu has to adjust to the bigger ic

[ccann26]

Today is the second day now . Its about 35-40 degrees outside and I have to be carefull not to step on the pedel too hard in 1st or second because she does break loose pretty easily. When that happens sometimes I get wheelhop and I noticed loud banging coming from under the hood looks like I will need to break out the dremmel drill and fix that shroud around the IC ...... I do have the 88 duro motor mount .

people get fired up easily in here Im not bashing it just giving my opinion its just feedback..

[tru-boost]

you may want to consider a better mount. i shredded a 70 duro AWR. i was given an 88 duro to replace it. when i pulled it out to put in my TRZ mount it was all warped and didnt look like it was doing a damn thing ! the shroud may still need a trim though.