FMIC or hardpipes

[Wiggles422]

I can't decide if I want to spend the money on hardpipes now, or save up and get a FMIC later on. A couple of things I've concidered...
I don't want to get the hardpipes, and then later wish I had saved up a couple more months and gotten a FMIC.
Some people have had heat issues with the FMIC, that would cost more money to fix on top of the initial FMIC cost.
FMIC looks more intimidating (yippy)
If you can think of something else I need to consider let me know or if you've bought hardpipes and later regretted it.

I can get hardpipes for around $400. What are some prices of the FMIC? I've seen anywhere from 900 (GB) to 1300.
FWIW, there aren't ANY decent shops nearby that can mandrel bend piping, so that leaves out custom work.
Thanks for your input.

[HiBoost TS]

I can't decide if I want to spend the money on hardpipes now, or save up and get a FMIC later on. A couple of things I've concidered...
I don't want to get the hardpipes, and then later wish I had saved up a couple more months and gotten a FMIC.
Some people have had heat issues with the FMIC, that would cost more money to fix on top of the initial FMIC cost.
FMIC looks more intimidating (yippy)
If you can think of something else I need to consider let me know or if you've bought hardpipes and later regretted it.

I can get hardpipes for around $400. What are some prices of the FMIC? I've seen anywhere from 900 (GB) to 1300.
FWIW, there aren't ANY decent shops nearby that can mandrel bend piping, so that leaves out custom work.
Thanks for your input.
We have a FMIC kit for $900 shipped. It includes hard pipes, hoses, HKS BOV and front Spearco core with cast aluminum polished end tanks.

[Wiggles422]

We have a FMIC kit for $900 shipped. It includes hard pipes, hoses, HKS BOV and front Spearco core with cast aluminum polished end tanks.

I read another thread regarding your FMIC kit... I'm pretty interested. The price is hard to beat with the BOV and Spearco core. I'm also liking the no cutting part as well. You mentioned that it wouldn't work with the stock air box in the other thread. How much would it be extra to get an SRI with the kit... or would it be best to buy a different aftermarket one?

[MazdaNeal]

Well the way I figure is..., After a smic, hardpipes, bov, and maybe an intake, your looking at the same amount of money as a fmic kit. Its really just up to you.

Personally I want a larger smic and hardpipes because I am not going to be boosting above stock, also there is a bit less lag than a fmic, which would be better for me on the freeway to work. I just wish somebody would actually make one and I would be on it like crazy.

Its really up to the buyer...

[acidbbg]

def fmic..you will notice more of a difference plus it will look so much better.

Chas (thumb)

[Brian MP5T]

FMIC The stock SMIC is not sufficient.

[jrodhotrod]

Save your pennies and get the FMIC, you'll be happier in the long run trust me, it makes a big difference.

[t3ase]

Moved to MSP Forced Induction. (This is a turbo related question.. A turbo is forced induction.. Get it? Got it? Good.)

[t3ase]

FMIC, btw.

[ONRAILS]

We have a FMIC kit for $900 shipped. It includes hard pipes, hoses, HKS BOV and front Spearco core with cast aluminum polished end tanks.
What are the advantages of having a bov instead of the bpv? I just bought a forge bpv, so I was considering getting a smic (circuit-sports or another) and hardpipes. Do you have an option for a fmic, but keep the bpv pipe setup?

[Wiggles422]

Moved to MSP Forced Induction. (This is a turbo related question.. A turbo is forced induction.. Get it? Got it? Good.)

I was debating that actually... went with Performance b/c it adds performance. :) At least I tried t3ase (wiggle)

Thanks for your input guys... I'll prolly be going with the HiBoost once I get all my pennies collected.

[Brian MP5T]

I was debating that actually... went with Performance b/c it adds performance. :) At least I tried t3ase (wiggle)

Thanks for your input guys... I'll prolly be going with the HiBoost once I get all my pennies collected.
Glad to hear it.

[Bhamsan]

I think in the end, it all comes down to how deep your pockets are. To take full advantage of the FMIC, you're going to have to spend for some sort of intake system, some turboback exhaust system, whether it be DP plus catback or whole turboback, and a boost controller of some sort. As for me, I don't have as deep of pockets, so hardpipes, CAI, and catback exhaust (DP coming soon) has been sufficient. I just wanted to get a BOV to eliminate compressor surge, and I needed hardpipes to do it, so I got some hardpipes last week. Throttle respons is good, but for the prices of an upgraded SMIC, i'd definintely go FMIC all the way. Installation is a bitch too with a FMIC, unless you like doing that sort of thing. I keep on worrying I'm going to break something.

It was more economical for me to get hardpipes and other mods as well than to just throw it all into a FMIC, but thats me, the poor college boy.

[jersey_emt]

Personally I'm gonna go with the first sub $500 SMIC because I already have hardpipes. And I'm gonna rig up a home-built CO2 sprayer (plans courtesy of BlkZoomZoom)

[BinaryRotary]

Well the way I figure is..., After a smic, hardpipes, bov, and maybe an intake, your looking at the same amount of money as a fmic kit. Its really just up to you.

Personally I want a larger smic and hardpipes because I am not going to be boosting above stock, also there is a bit less lag than a fmic, which would be better for me on the freeway to work. I just wish somebody would actually make one and I would be on it like crazy.

Its really up to the buyer...
Someone does make one.

http://www.circuit-sports.com/

[Brian MP5T]

The SMIC has a really hard time getting air to flow through it. The FMIC is the answer.

Given the two problems. The Radiator is in better shape than the SMIC..

[FBI14]

Someone does make one.

http://www.circuit-sports.com/

$700 are they joking

[skilletrx]

has neone gotten the hi-boost FMIC yet, sorry for thread jack, im looking into a FMIC soon...

[Wiggles422]

has neone gotten the hi-boost FMIC yet, sorry for thread jack, im looking into a FMIC soon...

not a problem. I'm searching for the same information, I know there's a few people with one, I'm just awaiting their input.

[Wiggles422]

heres a couple other threads discussing hiboost fmic and the other is kind of comparing hiboost and ion

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53813&page=1&pp=15

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64585&

[CommieSpeed]

Will most of the hard pipe kits also work with, say, a circuit sports SMIC? I woulden't expect for them to fit one another without any issues....

[Brian MP5T]

The nice thing about hardpipes is that if they are close to the original postion, usually they can be positioned into place with the silicon pipe connectors.

[BOOSTR]

GO FMIC IF YOUR WALLET IS BIG!

HARDPIPES ALONG WITH OTHER MODS ARE NICE. AIRFLOW WILL KEEP ME COOL.

turbohoses
turbo xs
injen
apex motorsports
greddy
sunoco gt 100
(gun)

[MazdaNeal]

Someone does make one.

http://www.circuit-sports.com/
Yeah but its hella too expensive!

[Tommy1005]

take a look at my feeler thread, the SMIC is starting to take shape, just a few more weeks before the funds come in from someone on this board to purchase one, so a month and they whould be ready for production. Just an idea and alot less expensive than FMIC and not that much more than hardpipes by themselves.

[JONBOY688]

i have installed two hiboost kits. very nice stuff fits very well. and one of the 2 had a stk airbox and it worked fine. i have pics if anyone wants to look thanks