ETS 3" TMIC installed.

[Alpha Wolf]

I jut got my black powder coated ETS TMIC installed.

All was fine except they manufactured it with the front mounting tab bent through the middle of the hole for the grommet up at a 45 degree angle. (jerkit)

I do not know why but it is so bad the nut cannot start nor will the metal insert go through the grommet. If you get one of these expect to have to bend this tab down parallel to the bottom of the intercooler.

I mounted the other two and then using an oversize socket and a large washer over the stud beat it down until flush with mounting stud base. Then installed grommet and metal insert and all was fine except a slight ding on my powder coating on the tab.

[Powerslave]

so..... HOW DOES IT DRIVE!!! review??

[SuperStretch18]

The black ets is hawt!

[otnielarencibia]

Very nice.

[Alpha Wolf]

I have no dyno so no hard numbers.

I can say I hit it merging yesterday and it had noticeably more pull than before. My son even commented that it never pulled like that before.

No NOS hit but a definite improvement.(thumb)

Now I need to get the CPE intake... (drive2)


When I contacted ETS on the bent front tab, they responded back the next day offering to fix and re-powder coat it at no charge to insure I was happy. Since I have fixed it already I declined. Very supportive email. So if yours arrives bent and you cannot fix it, contact them as they seem to stand behind their stuff as all of it is done in house. (drinks)

Stock before pictures below for comparison

[hectik1]

Very nice....been wanting this particular piece for quite awhile. Time to persuade the wife.

[CRD]

Correct me if I'm wrong you should never paint the fins on the intercooler it reduces it's efficiency. This have been seen on some people painting names on front of the intercooler.

PS: looks awesome, this will be my first performance part for mine, I'm just waiting my tax return :D

[hectik1]

Correct me if I'm wrong you should never paint the fins on the intercooler it reduces it's efficiency. This have been seen on some people painting names on front of the intercooler.

PS: looks awesome, this will be my first performance part for mine, I'm just waiting my tax return :DLight coats do not affect the effieciency.

[CX-7owner]

You need a bypass valve.

[Alpha Wolf]

Correct me if I'm wrong you should never paint the fins on the intercooler it reduces it's efficiency. This have been seen on some people painting names on front of the intercooler.

PS: looks awesome, this will be my first performance part for mine, I'm just waiting my tax return :D

If you actually could get close and looked you would notice the fins inside are still bare metal.

It is not painted it is black powder coated. Only the outside is powder coated.

[Alpha Wolf]

You need a bypass valve.

Definately...

But as it gives less bang for the buck it is number 4 on my list of things to get. The one I want is like $350 bucks.

TMIC
CAI
Exhaust
BOV

[CX-7owner]

Holding more boost in all of the gears is less bang for your buck? lol

[Alpha Wolf]

Holding more boost in all of the gears is less bang for your buck? lol

How much is it really leaking? 1/2 pound?

I have yet to see anyone show where you gain any significant power at stock boost situations by changing the BOV.

They look cool, sound cool and stop any leaking, but what do you gain? 1-5 hp?

If someone can show me a dyno read out of before/after with just a BOV which adds more then I will be happy to bump it up my listing.

I look at what I can get in HP for my money. So if there is 15hp for CAI and 15hp for new intercooler they will rank above 2hp from BOV. So if I have $450 to spend I will spend it on that which will gain the most first. When the others are done I will then get to the BOV.



I have more interest in a plug and play (damn CA smog most likely will have to be removed every 2 years) ECU that will both allow full boost in 1st and 2nd and remove top speed governor. I want to go when I hit the gas, not just move at some limited rate below what the car is capable of. Not looking for a race car, just would like not to be left by the wife (boobs2) in her car...


(hi)

[CX-7owner]

1-4 PSI through out the gears.
Either way it's not all just HP, it smooths response quite a bit, and it's insurance for other mods, it noticeably reduces turbo lag, too. It's not all about HP.

$159.99? I'll take the other $190 dollars and spend it on something AutoEXE.

I didn't say this because I want to sell you a BOV/BPV, but because it's a really great mod and can be inexpensive, which pulls it head of the other $500+ mods.

[SuperStretch18]

No dyno, but I can tell you I gained several psi from upgrading the valve. Results were tracked visually via boost gauge:

......................2nd Gear..................Gears 3-6
Stock...............8 psi max.................12 psi max (occassional 14 psi spikes)
Forge...............12 psi max................16 psi max

I didn't think it would be so dramatic either, but I was pleasantly surprised that I could feel the difference when tuning the valve...

[Alpha Wolf]

Yes..

It is just that I really like the Turbosmart hybrid for the Cx7 but it is not $150.

I definitely plan on doing the BOV but I like the TS one but may have to just get a Forge which is much cheaper...

Nice to see some numbers regarding the boost gain.

Just saying leaking is not very helpful..

I think it will still be 3rd or 4th on my list but it is definately on the list...

[Alpha Wolf]

Regarding the bent up tab on the front it appears the ETS jig was set wrong.

They are taking steps to fix this so no future ones will have this and they will take care of anyone who has one bent up and needs it bent down and repowder coated.

Darryl,

It appears upon further inspection of the tab in your pictures compared to recent units that have come out of our jig for the CX-7 that the one tab angle does need to be modified. We will be correcting our jig to prevent this from happening on any future intercoolers. Again my apologies for the inconvenience this caused on your end and on others having experienced the same issue. I appreciate your post on the forum as we will support our product 100% in any case, and especially in this instance. If you have any friends wanting theirs corrected we will of course get that done as expeditiously as possible and at no charge for the repair or any shipping. Thanks very much for your feedback; it’s crucial to us continuing to perfect our products!



___________

Tom Hughes

Nice to see a manufacture be both honest and stand behind their products 100%

(first)

[shadow1]

Really Superstretch? 4 psi gained from just the BOV? 4 psi would feel like night/day from a power standpoint. Easily 20hp. If that is correct, then your OEM BPV was really shot.

[SuperStretch18]

Really Superstretch? 4 psi gained from just the BOV? 4 psi would feel like night/day from a power standpoint. Easily 20hp. If that is correct, then your OEM BPV was really shot.

It was like night and day! I was really surprised (pleasantly) when I started tuning it!

When I first got it, it had the yellow spring installed, which is weaker. That was a minor improvement over stock. Once I started tuning it though and added the blue spring, it was unbelievable. Felt the same difference in performance as when I installed the test pipe this week (butt dyno of course, so I can't quantify).

Here's the post I made the first day that I made that change:
http://www.mcx7.com/showthread.php?t=2153

Again, not suggesting there is anything magic about that valve in particular, but most aftermarket valves are adjustable. I recommend that others do testing with different brands as well.

[SuperStretch18]

OK, maybe not the same difference as the test pipe, but it was significant...

[hectik1]

With the BOV, there was a definent difference in performance. Throttle reponse and mid range power were great improved.(drive)

[altaski]

Have you noticed any improvment in gas mileage?

[Alpha Wolf]

Have you noticed any improvment in gas mileage?

Not yet but I have only gone through 2 tanks and I was playing a lot (drive2)

I will try to get one sane (crazy) tank out and see what I can get. I have gotten 22 mpg with it stock freeway only. (cabpatch)

[Alpha Wolf]

Still getting around 19.8miles/gallon with combo city and highway with mostly easy driving with a few merges etc...

(nuts)

[sta44]

I jut got my black powder coated ETS TMIC installed.

All was fine except they manufactured it with the front mounting tab bent through the middle of the hole for the grommet up at a 45 degree angle. (jerkit)

I do not know why but it is so bad the nut cannot start nor will the metal insert go through the grommet. If you get one of these expect to have to bend this tab down parallel to the bottom of the intercooler.

I mounted the other two and then using an oversize socket and a large washer over the stud beat it down until flush with mounting stud base. Then installed grommet and metal insert and all was fine except a slight ding on my powder coating on the tab.

Hi Alpha Wolf,

Need to check with you regards the installation of the ETS intercooler.
1) Is it a comolete replacement for cx7
2) need any modifications to be done. Eg Mounting point, Piping, etc
3) After installing the ETS TMIC, the stock intercooler cover has to be removed?


Please advice on the above 3 point. Thank You (bowdown)

Regs

Stan

[Alpha Wolf]

Hi Alpha Wolf,

Need to check with you regards the installation of the ETS intercooler.
1) Is it a comolete replacement for cx7
2) need any modifications to be done. Eg Mounting point, Piping, etc
3) After installing the ETS TMIC, the stock intercooler cover has to be removed?


Please advice on the above 3 point. Thank You (bowdown)

Regs

Stan

Hi

1. Yes it is a bolt on replacement that uses the stock hoses.. You will not be re-using the TMIC cover screen as this intercooler has no mounting holes.
2. I found the forward mounting tab positioned up at a 60 degree angle vs parallel to the bottom of the intercooler. After a few photos and email tag with ETS that admitted to a jig error and would be correcting the positioning of that tab. In my case I covered it with tape, placed TMIC in place on the engine and slid a deep socket over stud down to the tab and tapped with a hammer until it was bent down to the correct angle. Then removed TMIC and then pulled off tape (to protect powder coat) installed stock mounting grommets and bushings and bolted it on. Spray the inside of the hoses with WD40 before trying to get them on it makes it so much easier.
3. As noted above, the stock intercooler screen (not the plastic air ducting) cannot be used as there are no mounting holes for it to bolt to.

[sta44]

Hi

1. Yes it is a bolt on replacement that uses the stock hoses.. You will not be re-using the TMIC cover screen as this intercooler has not mounting holes.
2. I found the forward mounting tab positioned up at a 60 degree angle vs parallel to the bottom of the intercooler. After a few photos and email tag with ETS that admitted to a jig error and would be correcting the positioning of that tab. In my case I covered it with tap, placed TMIC in place on the engine and slid a deep socket over stud down to the tab and tapped with a hammer until it was bent down to the correct angle. Then removed TMIC and then pulled off tap (to protect powder coat) installed stock mounting grommets and bushings and bolted it on. Spray the inside of the hoses with WD40 before trying to get them on it makes it so much easier.
3. As noted above, the stock intercooler cover cannot be used as there are no mounting holes for it to bolt to.


Thank Alpha Wolf for the info.
without the stock intercooler cover there will not be any direct airflow? I thought having direct air flow will be the best for a intercooler to performance.
autoexe intercooler should be a better choice to buy, can i say that?

cheers

stan

[SuperStretch18]

I think you are talking about two different things. There is the black screen that bolts right on to the stock IC. That does not get installed on the ETS. However, the plastic shroud that directs flow through the IC needs to be reinstalled...

[ERIC-TC]

Anyone have pics of the ETS with the plastic shroud installed?

I'm wondering how under the radar the ETS is after everything has beed installed over it?

[Alpha Wolf]

The front corner and part of the side is visible.

I kept the stock one for smog and maint checks

I could take a picture if that would help you.


(idhitit)

[Alpha Wolf]

Anyone have pics of the ETS with the plastic shroud installed?

I'm wondering how under the radar the ETS is after everything has beed installed over it?

Here are some pictures of it with the stock intake and the CPE intake

[garyoNC]

Alpha Wolf,

The CPE intake goes through the fender well doesn't it? What happens in the rain or snow or extremely dirty road conditions without pavement? It sounds like a good way to get cold air but how often does the filter need to be cleaned? Can you remove the filter without taking off the tire? Did you get the prefilter also? Sorry for so many questions but I am very interested in this mod.

Thanks,
Gary

[SuperStretch18]

The filter is actually better protected in the fender than it would be in the engine compartment. It's pretty much surrounded by the frame, bumper and fender lining. My piping has more dirt on it than the filter!

You can pull the filter (and install the CAI for that matter), without pulling the tire off. You just need to turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and pull the fender lining.

[CajunRacer]

I don't know the numbers or stats but I put on the 3.5" TMIC myself and love it!

[garyoNC]

CajunRacer,

Did it fit correctly? Does the shroud go back on correctly? The reason I ask is that some thought it would be a bit too thick. I have not purchased one yet but want to.

Gary

[sta44]

Hi Guys,

I have just install my ETS intercooler however i notice that at time when changing of gear (auto) there a delay esp from 3rd to 4th (when up to 3500rpm before it change gear) & 4th to 5th gear.And the fuel consumption increase.

i also notice that the rubber strip below the plastic shroud that directs air flow is slightly larger than the ETS intercooler. This mean there is a gap in between them and allowing the in-flow air to escape.

Can anyone advice?

Cheers

Stan

[Alpha Wolf]

Hi Guys,

I have just install my ETS intercooler however i notice that at time when changing of gear (auto) there a delay esp from 3rd to 4th (when up to 3500rpm before it change gear) & 4th to 5th gear.And the fuel consumption increase.

i also notice that the rubber strip below the plastic shroud that directs air flow is slightly larger than the ETS intercooler. This mean there is a gap in between them and allowing the in-flow air to escape.

Can anyone advice?

Cheers

Stan

What thickness of ETS did you install

I have no gear change delays with mine.

[Alpha Wolf]

Alpha Wolf,

The CPE intake goes through the fender well doesn't it? What happens in the rain or snow or extremely dirty road conditions without pavement? It sounds like a good way to get cold air but how often does the filter need to be cleaned? Can you remove the filter without taking off the tire? Did you get the prefilter also? Sorry for so many questions but I am very interested in this mod.

Thanks,
Gary

Hi Gary,

As super stretch stated above. It is off into the fender which has only one opening to it that is via the engine bay where the piping goes in above the frame. So dust dirt rain etc are not an issue. If you wade through 3 ft deep water you may have an issue.

I have the pre filter on it and so for it has not needed cleaning.
Then use K&N release and blow it out with compressed air.

Yes you can remove the filter by dropping the fender liner, turning the tire and reaching in.

The only downside is having my wife make faces when it boosts! She calls it flushing! (pissed)

I love it..(nana)

[Alpha Wolf]

Anyone have pics of the ETS with the plastic shroud installed?

I'm wondering how under the radar the ETS is after everything has beed installed over it?

Here it is.

Some have installed the 3.25" ones without issue.

[wwest]

Light coats do not affect the effieciency.

And I have some swamp land for sale in FL, are you interested..??

The black paint coat, powder coat yet, not only reduces the efficiency it will be an aid in the intercooler getting heat soaked from convection heat rising from below. But the radiant heating effects will probably be even worse.

If you're going to paint it, why not fire engine red, that will really make an impression on the few people that get a look under the hood.

[Alpha Wolf]

And I have some swamp land for sale in FL, are you interested..??

The black paint coat, powder coat yet, not only reduces the efficiency it will be an aid in the intercooler getting heat soaked from convection heat rising from below. But the radiant heating effects will probably be even worse.

If you're going to paint it, why not fire engine red, that will really make an impression on the few people that get a look under the hood.

Hey numb nuts. Read the post. The finned internal portion of this intercooler where the air goes through to provide cooling is not power coated or pained at all.

Secondly take a thermodynamics class and do some actual tests. I have on various oil coolers and radiators and they showed the same delta T as non-coated ones.

Secondly this TMIC is so much cooler than the steel stocker. I can drive for an hour, pop the cover and rest my hand on it and it is cool. With your silver painted stocker (oh my another one that will not work) it will burn your hand.

(butt)

[zobispo]

my question is that i got my ets TMIC installed today and do i need to disconnect or reset my ecu after installed or not? and why

[SuperStretch18]

Not a bad idea to do so. The ecu will need to re-learn fuel trims when you install any modification and resetting it will force it to start clean...

[migueleitor]

my question is that i got my ets TMIC installed today and do i need to disconnect or reset my ecu after installed or not? and why

i'm thinking in buying it

what your review?

thank you

[logancx7]

i know this is going to sound dumb, but do u put the the cover back on or do u leave it off? sorry only had mine for about a month and still dont know much about it.

[zobispo]

i know this is going to sound dumb, but do u put the the cover back on or do u leave it off? sorry only had mine for about a month and still dont know much about it.

you have to put the cover back on. That's the only way you can get the air to go through intercooler.

[SamNavy]

Will that factory plastic cover that goes over the stock intercooler fit over the ETS?

[flyingm2008]

Yes.

[cx7owner87]

hey op! was the install very easy? ive never done a tmic before. but i figure it should be nearly as hard as a fmic right?

[Zdraveca]

hey op! was the install very easy? ive never done a tmic before. but i figure it should be nearly as hard as a fmic right?

its a hundred times easier to install the top mount :)

[cx7owner87]

yeah i kind of figured it would be since you dont have to remove the front bumper and all that junk. but thanks for the reassurance.

[cx7owner87]

its a hundred times easier to install the top mount :)

hey by any chance, do you have pics of the head unit you have installed in your cx7? id like to see what it looks like in one before i decide to install one of my own. thanks

[WaRdaWg3]

Okay, question regarding the intercooler. Could one mod the current stock setup to get more airflow to it by adding a "pipe" plumbed into the current TMIC intake? I am thinking that the stock cold air pipe that I removed when I installed the SRI could fit so that the intake hangs down behind the grill and then plumb it into the existing intake duct to get a bit more air to the TMIC. That is, until I upgrade the whole TMIC. Thoughts?

[mikomi15]

Okay, question regarding the intercooler. Could one mod the current stock setup to get more airflow to it by adding a "pipe" plumbed into the current TMIC intake? I am thinking that the stock cold air pipe that I removed when I installed the SRI could fit so that the intake hangs down behind the grill and then plumb it into the existing intake duct to get a bit more air to the TMIC. That is, until I upgrade the whole TMIC. Thoughts?

I understand what you're trying to do, but that still will not resolve the primary issue of heat soak. At speed the duct cover does a really good job of getting fresh air to the TMIC. The problem is that the duct also traps hot air when the car is not moving. You would need to find a way to vent all that hot air trapped under the cover.

[UHATEIT]

basically it appears if you arent sitting in stop and go traffic then you're ETS is probably working quite well and no heatsoak issues

Question I have is people are referring to a 3-inch ETS. I cannot seem to find anything about a 3-inch ETS on their site, only a 3.25-inch. So is this a special 3-inch model or are these the same thing as the 3.25 inch and someone just measured it wrong? I assume the thicker diameter the better.

One person mentioned in this thread about having a 3.5 under the hood and no issues, so I assume a 3.25 doesnt have any issues of fitment with the stock plastic cover over it eh?