Spool Or Ion?

[Himoura]

(attn)
Ok I ran a search and I did not find anything on this topic.
I want to get my FMIC Very soon! I want to know from the MSPr's that have installed it, or from the Spool or Ion guys and let me know:

(drive)
-What they think
-How easy or difficult it was to install
-If there was any cutting or drilling involved
-Type of BOV you are using
-if anyone has dyno's
-Anything else you may wanna add 'the more details the BETTER!'
-Oh and Pic's (if Possible)(pics)

I read the article in "turbo" magazine about Ion's FMIC, but it really didn't help much. Ion's website isn't up either so.......

Oh yeah and if you have one and live in the Fairfax VA area Represent!!!!!!

And I have seen some threads go outta control latley so please just stick to informative stuff (2thumbs)
:) Thanks

[03MSP]

I was always wondering which one yielded better results also.

[MoSqUiTo]

i got spool everything here...im luvin it...no problems yet

[Zray]

I'd like to add a question - if I get a FMIC does that include hard pipes, or are those a separate item? I'm still trying to understand all this turbo mumbo-jumbo =)

[instylz]

Included with Spools Zray.

[low_psi]

the FMIC's have StainlessSteel pipes. they relplace all the stock IC pipes :)

[SoniCraze]

intresting fact. Spool says there hardpipe kit wont work with there FMIC

[low_psi]

ok.... lets take this slow.....

the Hardpipe kit they sell is for the STOCK side mount intercooler.

the FMIC they sell includes the IC core, all the new pipes("hard") for the new route, fittings and clamps. the FMIC require a new route for the piping, thus the stock plastic is removed and SS pipes are used in the kit.

the hardpipe kit is used for if you want to keep the stock IC.

[low_psi]

Himoura- the SPOOL FMIC requires NO cutting to the body, but the iON FMIC does. the area you have to cut for the Ion FMIC isn't structural though, therefore its not a major saftey concern. both kits show similar gains.

i've seen SPOOL work in person and i can assure you you won't be dissapointed. iON also has nothing but satisfied customers. i personally am a SPOOL whore though :)

[SpicyMchaggis]

go spool or go home

[SoniCraze]

505 has a ion FMIC and he swears by it...hes in frekin love with it. I trust his opions and it seems ion put alot of attention into details.

[505zoom]

Originally posted by SoniCraze
505 has a ion FMIC and he swears by it...hes in frekin love with it. I trust his opions and it seems ion put alot of attention into details.

Yeah, the IC from iON is real nice. I don't want to sound like I'm bashing spool's product, but all the pics I have seen of a car with their kit, the pipes to and from the IC are the lowest thing you can see from a front view. That, and the huge stage2 or whatever IC they have just really turned me off to their work, the endtanks were hideous, and who the hell has a 500+hp msp??? (probably get flamed for that one, oops:))

The holes that you cut for iON's kit are very thin and non load bearing. The routing of the pipes is the most direct you can get in our car.

[xelderx]

Since you are in VA you should ride down to Spoolin's shop and talk to Terry directly. Having the manufacturer in your backyard may also prove helpful.

[David MPS]

For me, I prefer Ion. Because here we have a real winter season and I can hurt a bloc of ice(under car) or other, The spool Kit are very nice, but the pipe route a little bit under the car , so its too dangerous for me because my location ! And Ion are Canadian.......me too !!! :cool:

[Zray]

Well Spool presently has the advantage in the retail sense because they have a site with a photo and description of the product. The fact that there is nothing browsable on Ion's site makes Ion look less professional, whether that is the case or not. It's a very superficial judgement, I admit... but that's just the way it works in product sales.

Does anyone have a good photo of Ion's FMIC kit and installation? So far the only reason I have to consider their product is user testimony, which generally tends to be biased towards their purchase.

I'm just playing devil's advocate here :D Plus I'd really like to know what makes Ion better than Spool... oh and a cost comparison would rock too.

[iON Performance]

Here's a picture of the stock IC vs our stage 1 FMIC:
http://www.ionperformance.com/Mazda/MSP/FMIC/UPVSOE1.jpg
Here's a picture of the stage 1 FMIC installed:
http://www.ionperformance.com/Mazda/MSP/FMIC/fmicbfg.jpg

Here are the facts & results:

- Charge temps went from 60C (post I/C on the stock set-up) down to 20C on our stage 1 FMIC.

Stock car baselined: (Before stage 1 FMIC) - boost was 5.5psi peak
(Run #1) 120.6whp peak @ ~6000rpm, 125lb-ft torque @ 4200rpm
(Run #2) 119.4whp peak @ ~6000rpm, 114lb-ft torque @ 4200rpm
(Run #3) 116.2whp peak @ ~6000rpm, 106lb-ft torque @ 4700rpm

After stage 1 FMIC added (w/ stock airbox & K&N panel filter): boost was 5.7psi peak
(runs #1-11 were all higher then #12, we stopped at 12 runs)
(Run #12) 139.3whp peak @ 5800rpm, 146.3lb-ft torque @ 3900rpm.
Baseline Dyno Run:
http://www.ionperformance.com/Mazda/MSP/FMIC/b4dyno.jpg
After Stage 1 FMIC was installed (12th dyno run showed)
http://www.ionperformance.com/Mazda/MSP/FMIC/aftdyno.jpg

After an EBC was installed and our 3" cat-back, boost was set to 8.9psi and 192.2whp was made. This was the 12th run as well that set the 192.2whp

The following link is the "installed pics" 505Zoom ->
by
http://www.msprotege.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31336

Here's more "installed pics" of both our stage 1 FMIC + CAI set-up: (thanks to CRDMS1)
http://www.ionperformance.com/customers/Corey/CAIFMICfront.jpg
http://www.ionperformance.com/customers/Corey/CAIFMICfront1.jpg
http://www.ionperformance.com/customers/Corey/CAIFMICleft.jpg
http://www.ionperformance.com/customers/Corey/CAIFMICright.jpg
http://www.ionperformance.com/customers/Corey/CAITB.jpg

[iON Performance]

Himoura - Please refer to the above post for further info.

Zray - Please refer to above post for pics.

Our Stage 1 FMIC kit for the MSP (club member discounted price) is $915US + shipping (for payment via MO). Our CAI upgrade when purchased with the FMIC is $250US shipped. (Normally the discounted price is $275US+shipping for the CAI upgrade alone).

Repeat customers also get an option of purchasing our other parts at pre-sale special prices as well. (Turbo-back exhausts, suspension, CF hoods, etc)

[Zray]

Very nice :D Do you have a catalogue? I may have been just curious before, but now I'm really interested :D

Also, have you been reading up on the compressor surge issue? I'm wondering if you've done any testing or already have a working resolution?

[iON Performance]

Zray - feel free to email or PM us if you have any specific Q's. Our online catalgue is being organized and should be published hopefully sometime soon.

[AutoBox]

damn i though we wer makin 140-150 to the wheels stock?? anyway, i need to see that 3in exhast cus thats what im in the market for right now......the ic endtanks look great really nice setup...

[iON Performance]

AutoBox - our dyno is designed in such a way that it generally reads lower. Dynojets generally read higher. The #'s are what really matter. It's the difference in numbers for the Before and After runs that are important.

All the pictures are currently only available to those who've participated in the pre-sale. There will be a video clip that we'll be posting for those who're interested to hear and see what the exhaust sounds like :)

[II-Savy]

ION - PUT THIS UP ON YOUR GD WEBSITE! CRAP what the hell are you waiting for. You prolly have better stuff and STILL no one knows it! :wtf: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I'll make you a site for free for GOD'S sake! .......and I'll share your vision....or what ever the F that means!

Back On topic - I have a Spool Intake and I like it. Very nice quality and I have talked with the guys over there and they are all nice to deal with.

[ARunto]

Ion: What size piping do you use? I like the fact you use hump hoses and t-bolt clamps.

Also does anyone know what size piping Spool uses on their FMIC kits?

-Alan

[iON Performance]

II-Savy - Templates are currently being finalized for the web site. So it's on its way.

ARunto - Piping sizes are different depending on position. The smallest diameter is 51mm and the largest is 64mm.

[Himoura]

ION fantastic information!!! QUick question. can it be flanged for a BOV (ie: Hks SSQ) and if it can how much? oh yeah and what exactly do you need to cut to make it fit? I think i might be able living with cutting it up if it avoids being to far below the car.



now all I need is spool's info!!!!!

[REKING]

Originally posted by Himoura
ION fantastic information!!! QUick question. can it be flanged for a BOV (ie: Hks SSQ) and if it can how much? oh yeah and what exactly do you need to cut to make it fit? I think i might be able living with cutting it up if it avoids being to far below the car.



now all I need is spool's info!!!!! Sorry for changing the subject. You sound kind of sexy.. :D

[Leadfoot]

Originally posted by Himoura
ION fantastic information!!! QUick question. can it be flanged for a BOV (ie: Hks SSQ) and if it can how much? oh yeah and what exactly do you need to cut to make it fit?
Bump on that....great question, I was wondering the same thing...I like the FMIC iON has, but would like to see a BOV flange on the hardpipe leading to the engine.

[505zoom]

It cost me less than 50 bucks to have the pipe machined and the HKS flange welded on there.

[Zray]

From another thread:


Originally posted by iON Performance
Delivery_Guy - the BPV sound after you put on our CAI sounds totally different. Even with just our FMIC set-up the sound is much more aggressive.

The "I" intake b/c of the piping diameter etc may just be revealing (or making the BPV operation) more pronouced. You will still hear the "turkey" sound with the stock intake set-up anyways.

Our intake takes into account the possibility compressor surge, which is the reason why it was tuned specifically using various methods.

It's unlikely to be compresor surge (the turkey sound) as the turbo doesn't operate close to the surge line of the compressor map.

Originally posted by iON Performance
[regarding compressor surge being harmful]MsPxZoOm - For our CAI yes, it's not hurting the turbo. We haven't gotten any issues in regards to reverse air flow or in more sever cases compressor surge.

[regarding the cause of the gobble]servoeyes - not really a "design-flaw" of the turbo, it's the specific placement of the BPV which is the "flaw". It should be on the TB return and post MAF.

So wait, Ion is saying their FMIC with their CAI addresses this problem, right? They are also saying it isn't a problem... someone else was saying compressor surge doesn't really become a problem unless you are boosting around 20 psi. It would be nice if we could get a turbo expert in here to really settle all this for once and for all... (and isn't that what Ion is? A turbo expert?)

Kudos to 505 and everyone working so hard on this issue, not trying to discredit anyone's efforts, just trying to get to the bottom of this issue.

[iON Performance]

Himoura - the cutting is minimal. We'd recommend using a Turbo XS RBV-25, rather then a HKS or a Greddy BOV that requires a kit to re-circ.

Leadfoot - a BPV is better suited for cars w/ a MAF. A BOV is a sound only mod.

505zoom - Hope that flange you got machined is SS. Otherwise, have the pipe coated or else the flange may promote a redox reaction causing corrosion.

[iON Performance]

Zray - what you're hearing is a resonance frequency going backwards on the intake track with the other intakes and the stock car (due to the position of the BPV). It doesn't do damage to the turbo unless you're making alot of boost.

There have been no issues of surging with our stage 1 FMIC and our CAI set-up.

[03.5msppsi]

Do you have any pics of the fmic with the bumper off of a Speed? I would love to what if any cutting is required to install it..

[iON Performance]

03.5msppsi - Picture thanks to 505zoom

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/505zoom/dsc00423smaller.jpg

[505zoom]

Originally posted by iON Performance

[b]505zoom - Hope that flange you got machined is SS. Otherwise, have the pipe coated or else the flange may promote a redox reaction causing corrosion.

The flange I used is the smaller HKS StainlessSteel flange. The machining was done on the pipe itself.;)

[Himoura]

Originally posted by 03.5msppsi
Do you have any pics of the fmic with the bumper off of a Speed? I would love to what if any cutting is required to install it..

Yeah!

[Leadfoot]

Originally posted by iON Performance
Leadfoot - a BPV is better suited for cars w/ a MAF. A BOV is a sound only mod.
Yeah...I always say BOV when in truth I understand the difference between the two, and plan on recirc'ing. I was intending on using an HKS super sequential recirc'ed...of course, that's once I have the $$$ for the FMIC upgrade!

[Himoura]

ION or SPOOL Do you guys provide anything to cap off the stock IC?

[David MPS]

Originally posted by Himoura
ION or SPOOL Do you guys provide anything to cap off the stock IC?

you can get a braket to fix the radiator when you remove the stock IC. www.essentialspeed.com

The braket cost FOR ME : 65$CAD shipped ..........

[Cirielle]

http://www.msprotege.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=28590&highlight=ion+spool+fmic

Here is a link to the subject. It has both Ion and Spool talking about their product...
Just ignore the crap in there that doesn't deal with the comparison!

[Himoura]

hmmm...

[DiscreetSpeed]

this is just me but i would......GET THE ION KIT.

[I'm Allen]

Easy choice for me. I live 1 hour from Spool. They are who I'm going with.

Allen-