Homemade FMIC (Even bigger than AA and HPF) for $300

Big Tom · 09-03-2010, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R1000K3

Great solution Big Tom, very well done

I'll probably do the same mod, and then also secure the IC to the frame/bodywork so it cant rattle around and break something or fatigue welds.

Thanks!

The IC is secured in the upper part against the bodywork with 6 tie raps.
It's totally solid.

Big Tom · 09-03-2010, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvieira24

Also just because an intercooler is larger and the piping inlets and outlets are bigger doesn't mean its better. In the end it's just more volume for the tiny turbos to fill which results in more lag and less transient response. This has been tested on evos and sti's quite a few times. Going with 3" intercooler piping & a 4" core on smaller turbos will result in a loss of power 9 times out of 10.

Only the connections to the IC is 3". All other piping is 2.5".
Im using silicone reducers from 3" ---> 2.5" on the IC in- and outlets.

And regarding turbo lag, you should read my first post again...

Big Tom · 09-03-2010, 03:32 AM

Updated first post with more pics.

datbimmerdoe · 09-03-2010, 06:27 AM

good shit.

MF80 · 09-03-2010, 08:18 AM

Big Tom, do you have any more pix of your setup?

Thanks,
J-

marconi118 · 09-03-2010, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JsTech

Big Tom, do you have any more pix of your setup?

Thanks,
J-

pics of the coupling pipes to the car

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 09-03-2010, 08:41 AM

Nice job, I have to say. Can't wait to see the results of your testing. My only worry is you will increase turbo lag with such a large core, but its not that much larger then the rest so I think you should be okay.

Mike

jpsimon · 09-03-2010, 08:49 AM

nice job man!

cn555ic · 09-03-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

Nice job, I have to say. Can't wait to see the results of your testing. My only worry is you will increase turbo lag with such a large core, but its not that much larger then the rest so I think you should be okay.

Mike

He should be fine based on comparing the size with AA FMIC...Those with the AA intercooler have not reported any significant lag so this intercooler is nearly identical...Great job though for 300 hundred bucks you definitely cannot go wrong...This intercooler is def a bargain but it looks as though its not for the average DIY guy especially since there is more involved...

biz77 · 09-03-2010, 12:12 PM

Search "RX7 V-mount" on ebay. You can find these intercoolers for under $200 shipped from vendors in the US.

wtfmateim65 · 09-03-2010, 02:49 PM

raceland dps + diy FMIC + Meth sale = M6 eater!

Bimmer Nerd · 09-03-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wtfmateim65

raceland dps + diy FMIC + Meth sale = M6 eater!

+ a tune

dboonephs · 09-03-2010, 06:26 PM

I checked the RX7 forums and they got many good reviews from the Ebay RX7 FMIC on there cars, which is similar to Big Toms core.

dboonephs · 09-03-2010, 06:28 PM

Excluding the fitment and piping issues they have with the core.

Sneeze · 09-03-2010, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biz77

Search "RX7 V-mount" on ebay. You can find these intercoolers for under $200 shipped from vendors in the US.

good find! whats the thickness?

***nevermind its 3.5"

Big Tom · 09-04-2010, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biz77

Search "RX7 V-mount" on ebay. You can find these intercoolers for under $200 shipped from vendors in the US.

That IC has exactly the same size as the AA, 11085 cm3.
Mine is 13770 cm3.

Big Tom · 09-04-2010, 12:44 AM

Will try to do some logs this weekend.
Biggest difference is that the car feels crazy strong @ higher RPM's compared to the crappy RaceCooling IC I had on the car before.

kjrulz · 09-04-2010, 10:27 AM

Big Tom, can you specify exactly what you had to modify? What parts were needed? etc...

Big Thanks!

ar design · 09-04-2010, 10:53 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...d=390104994815

$150.

Big Tom · 09-04-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ar design

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...d=390104994815

$150.

That IC is way to small. The total core size is only 7935 cm3 vs mine who is 13770 cm3.
It's actually close to the stock IC core size who is 7620 cm3.

enrita · 09-04-2010, 01:15 PM

Lets see the 11th how it will perform. :-) surely much better than what you had before.

Big Tom · 09-04-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjrulz

Big Tom, can you specify exactly what you had to modify? What parts were needed? etc...

Big Thanks!

You have to cut the stock IC shroud away, as shown in this pic:

I secured the IC in the upper part against the bodywork with 6 extra strong cable ties.
It's totally solid.

Here's all the parts I used for piping:

2 pieces Aluminiumtube coupler 2,5": http://www.do88.se/p/aluminium-pipes...oupler-25.html

Silicone hose 90 degree 2,5": http://www.do88.se/p/silicone-hoses/...degree-25.html

Silicone hose 45 degree 2,5 - 3": http://www.do88.se/p/silicone-hoses/...gree-25-3.html

Silicone hose 2,5 - 3": http://www.do88.se/p/silicone-hoses/...3-63-76mm.html

20 cm of Silicone hose 2,5": http://www.do88.se/p/silicone-hoses/...e-25-63mm.html

+ some hose clamps.

No rocket science...

09-03-2010, 03:32 AM	#69
Big Tom Banned 57 Rep 1,054 Posts Drives: 335i n54 e92 MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Västerås iTrader: (0)	Updated first post with more pics.
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09-03-2010, 06:27 AM	#70
datbimmerdoe Lieutenant General 1277 Rep 17,493 Posts Drives: like I'M BOUT THAT LIFE Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: PARADISE aka CANES COUNTRY iTrader: (0)	good shit. __________________ #datbimmerdoe #thatbimmertho FOLLOW @datbimmerdoe on INSTAGRAM
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09-03-2010, 08:18 AM	#71
MF80 Captain 45 Rep 809 Posts Drives: AW 2008 E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Area51 iTrader: (10)	Big Tom, do you have any more pix of your setup? Thanks, J-
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09-03-2010, 08:41 AM	#73
Mike@N54Tuning.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 4914 Rep 115,980 Posts Drives: 2007 335i, 2015 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: N54tuning.com iTrader: (89)	Nice job, I have to say. Can't wait to see the results of your testing. My only worry is you will increase turbo lag with such a large core, but its not that much larger then the rest so I think you should be okay. Mike
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09-03-2010, 08:49 AM	#74
jpsimon Team Zissou 3065 Rep 10,197 Posts Drives: 2022 AWD M3 Comp - SMB Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CT iTrader: (7)	nice job man!
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09-03-2010, 12:12 PM	#76
biz77 Captain 166 Rep 613 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Spokane, WA iTrader: (4)	Search "RX7 V-mount" on ebay. You can find these intercoolers for under $200 shipped from vendors in the US.
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09-03-2010, 02:49 PM	#77
wtfmateim65 First Lieutenant 17 Rep 305 Posts Drives: AW 92 335i JB4 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vegas iTrader: (2)	raceland dps + diy FMIC + Meth sale = M6 eater!
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09-03-2010, 06:26 PM	#79
dboonephs Private 0 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 07 E90 335i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: VA iTrader: (2)	I checked the RX7 forums and they got many good reviews from the Ebay RX7 FMIC on there cars, which is similar to Big Toms core.
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09-03-2010, 06:28 PM	#80
dboonephs Private 0 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 07 E90 335i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: VA iTrader: (2)	Excluding the fitment and piping issues they have with the core.
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09-04-2010, 12:44 AM	#83
Big Tom Banned 57 Rep 1,054 Posts Drives: 335i n54 e92 MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Västerås iTrader: (0)	Will try to do some logs this weekend. Biggest difference is that the car feels crazy strong @ higher RPM's compared to the crappy RaceCooling IC I had on the car before. Last edited by Big Tom; 09-04-2010 at 03:33 AM..
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09-04-2010, 10:27 AM	#84
kjrulz Mastermind 71 Rep 1,360 Posts Drives: girls krazy Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: your mother iTrader: (5)	Big Tom, can you specify exactly what you had to modify? What parts were needed? etc... Big Thanks!
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09-04-2010, 10:53 AM	#85
ar design 295 Rep 4,408 Posts Drives: 04 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (9)	http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...d=390104994815 $150. __________________ -Critter
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09-04-2010, 01:15 PM	#87
enrita Major General 161 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: 335i - Big turbos Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Italian in Sweden iTrader: (0)	Lets see the 11th how it will perform. :-) surely much better than what you had before. __________________ 07 335i AT - MOTIV 750 - MHD E85 BMS flash - BMS PI - JB4G5 - Okada Coils - NGK 5992 Plugs - Helix IC - Snow Stg. 3 - Stett CP - Custom midpipes with 100 HJS Cats - Bastuck Quad - PSS10 - QUAIFE LSD - BMS OCC - Forge DVs - AR OC - ALCON BBK - M3 Chassi - Dinan CP - Velocity M rear Toe arms - Advan RZ-DF - LUX H8 - Level 10 AT upgrade
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