TMIC or FMIC

[elderlycoffee]

I'm getting ready to drop some money on my MS3 and will be getting a couple things at once to see a big performance jump right away.

I like the looks of an FMIC better than an TMIC but if the performance boost isn't worth another $500.00 I don't think I'll be getting an FMIC.

What is the best FMIC on this page?
http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/index.php?cPath=281_160_257

And would you suggest getting a new exhaust or FMIC first?

[aaronc7]

exhaust definitely. 20-30 hp (or more prob) to be had throughout the powerband with a TBE (or even just downpipe really).

Also, I think TMIC is gonna be better for the money, performance wise, for most people (on the street especiallY)

[elderlycoffee]

Is a TBE emissions legal?

EDIT: I don't even know where to get a turbo back, All I can find is CB

[aaronc7]

I've lived in Ohio and florida...neither have emissions, so I'm not sure how it all works. I think some places you fail if you have any mods to cats etc...period. Maybe that's only like CA or some places where it's really strict? Hopefully someone can clarify. I think in other places you can/maybe get by with a high flow cat. If you got the full Corksport TBE...you could always swap in the stock mid pipe (with cat) for inspections or something.

Those are some possible ideas, but again I don't know the laws or the testing procedures exactly

[elderlycoffee]

alright, know where i can get a tbe kit?

[aaronc7]

protege garage or w/e has all 3 pieces separate for sale with free shipping. If you're gonna buy all 3 together the best deal is going to be thru corksport directly...10% off. You can also get 10% off by getting the downpipe and catback together (keep stock catted midpipe). Just FYI they told me the catback was out of stock until 3/14...the DP might be out now too. I'd just send them an email or call them.

http://corksport.com/store/category/buir/MS3_Engine.html

I has sexi time my car this weekend :-D

[Kosh]

If you like doing stop light launches then get a fmic. A top mount heat soaks every time you aren't moving. If you just want something for accelerating from a roll then save your money and get a top mount. Personally I would spend more to get a front mount.

http://www.therpmstore.com/ is one of this forum's sponsors that has a tbe. I believe as long as you pass emissions (which you should with a high flow cat) it is legal in any state. I'm not a lawyer so don't take that as solid legal advice.

[aaronc7]

BTW: I'm getting a high flow cat welded into the mid pipe for my corksport exhaust. It says 49 state legal and OBD2 EPA compliant.

http://www.planetmagnaflow.com/shop/magnaflow-59959-690.html

[aaronc7]

Something else to keep in mind: What other plans do you have with the car for the future? Cobb AP? If you are thinking/planning about getting the AP....intake/exhaust will go right along with a stage 2 off the shelf map. So, that might be something else to consider. Cobb is also making a FMIC, so they should have a map for those...but probably not for a TMIC. If you wanted to get it tuned for a TMIC you'd have to get one from someone else or get a custom tune or something.

[elderlycoffee]

I have a CAI right now, Other than that it's stock besides a few little ghetto tunes.

[fourthmeal]

Think about the FMIC offered by Corksport. It comes complete with an intake as well, so the $1099 it costs becomes a better deal at that point. Also, a lot of people say that it is easy as pie to install, and comes well designed. The instructions are also good, according to those who have installed it. IMO, I think the concept of reusing the TMIC's location as an intake is genius and deserves your attention.


I'm getting ready to drop some money on my MS3 and will be getting a couple things at once to see a big performance jump right away.

I like the looks of an FMIC better than an TMIC but if the performance boost isn't worth another $500.00 I don't think I'll be getting an FMIC.

What is the best FMIC on this page?
http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/index.php?cPath=281_160_257

And would you suggest getting a new exhaust or FMIC first?

[aaronc7]

It also replaces the stock 'intake tube' thing that the intake connects to..I think ATP has something like that for $100 alone...so yeah I agree for the price you are getting quite a bit. Kinda sucks that you already have an intake and you'd have to sell it or something. I can say that the instructions for the Downpipe from them is awesome..it's just like a 'how-to' on here or something with lots of pics. There's a color version that comes on CD too.

I read somewhere that the MAf housing is bigger than stock though? If so that's not good...but haven't seen enough data to confirm

[trufanatic]

get a damn top mount, if you ever have to take your car to the dealer it comes off in 20 minutes.

next, it takes close to 10 minutes for the TMIC to become completely heat soaked and about the same while driving to become ice cold....you do the math!

Last, FMICs heat soak(not as bad as a TMIC)...all fmic's do because your blowing air thru a compressor thats almost 800 degrees but its more efficient and becomes cooler quicker once your driving. everything performance related has a trade off but a well engineered TMIC for the price isnt bad.

So here is my question, is 10 minutes of hindered performance worth an extra 500$?

oh yea! use the search button :-P

[Kosh]

get a damn top mount, if you ever have to take your car to the dealer it comes off in 20 minutes.

next, it takes close to 10 minutes for the TMIC to become completely heat soaked and about the same while driving to become ice cold....you do the math!

Last, FMICs heat soak(not as bad as a TMIC)...all fmic's do because your blowing air thru a compressor thats almost 800 degrees but its more efficient and becomes cooler quicker once your driving. everything performance related has a trade off but a well engineered TMIC for the price isnt bad.

So here is my question, is 10 minutes of hindered performance worth an extra 500$?

oh yea! use the search button :-P

For people who track their car then the extra cash is worth it. Autocross and drag racing both would benefit from a front mount. The heat soak isn't from the compressed air going through the intercooler but the air radiating from the engine through the fins.

Here is another front mount for under $900.

http://www.atpturbo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ATP-MS3-002&Category_Code=MS3

[aaronc7]

TBE!!!!!! lol

sexy: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Sui6OSgBe-U

[meha11]

I guess you took my advice and slapped your mama insisting little bro gets a new car :)


If you’re in Harris county then the only one you can legally have is the cpe catted tbe. Even then it is illegal to remove/tamper with a working emission system (just say you drove over a rock and it broke so you replaced it).

RPM store is in Texas so don’t buy from them, only because you’ll pay tax, buy it from PG instead. (RPM store is great by the way but why pay more?)

I have the TMIC and it works good in the Houston climate, buy within your budget, if your loaded get the FMIC, if not go cheap.

[aaronc7]

what makes the cpe catted tbe legal while something like the corksport tbe with cat not legal? or corksport dp + vibrant downpipe back (includes high flow cat)

[meha11]

what makes the cpe catted tbe legal while something like the corksport tbe with cat not legal? or corksport dp + vibrant downpipe back (includes high flow cat)

I'm under the impression that only cpe offered the cat. If i'm wrong then i apologize and retract my comment.

[aaronc7]

CPE is the only one that offers a full catted TBE. only other option is the Corksport DP + Vibrant CBE (but includes mid pipe/cat too). To get the Corksport catted you'd have to have one welded into the mid pipe...but I think that would be just as legal as the CPE option.

[elderlycoffee]

i know nothing about legalities. is a high flow cat legal?

[mrlilguy157]

i just ordered a bunch of goodies.

an ETS 3.25" TMIC is one of them

[elderlycoffee]

anyone have an installed pic of the corksport fmic?

EDIT: and will I get more power using my current cai and an fmic that doesn't replace the intake or the corksport fmic that is both in one unit?

[staples187]

anyone have an installed pic of the corksport fmic?

EDIT: and will I get more power using my current cai and an fmic that doesn't replace the intake or the corksport fmic that is both in one unit?

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123691459

Look under thread that you posted in there's a couple posts of the Corksport with pics.