[vladr]

Hey everyone,

I am expecting a COBB AP in the mail tomorrow. I read over on the e90post forum, that its almost necessary to get an intercooler upgrade after you get any tune. This makes sense to me because the COBB flash increases the boost pressure, which makes the engine run a lot hotter. (Right?)

My question is....do I NEED an upgraded FMIC if I used the COBB AP? Even if I dont track the car or anything (even though I might once or twice a year, when I get the unit (and suspension))....

I dont mean "need one" as in....to make it faster or anything. I mean do I need an FMIC upgrade to make sure this COBB doesnt F*** up my car?

IF I DO need one, for safe driving reasons.....whats the best (or a decent) FMIC I should consider?

Is there one that wont mess with my warranty? Like a BMW performance one? Anyone got any prices or brands or anything... if I DO need one?


Thanks,
Vlad




EDIT: FMIC for ANY tune....not just COBB. I thought it goes without saying but i think people are avoiding answering because they dont have this specific tune.

Is an FMIC required for ANY tune?

[Bakeme521]

You don't NEED it but you SHOULD get it, it can only help.

[E90PAT]

would you guys preffer dp of fmic

[michael1284]

florida is hot as fk. FMIC then DP.

[FotiosF90M5]

you absolutely dont need it. It would be a lot better if you did but to simply answer your question...no its NOT necessary. Ive had procede forever and am still on the stock FMIC. Its perfectly fine. Seeing as your in florida I recommend getting one though.

[KyLu II]

DP will yield you more power, a bigger ic will just prevent heat soak..

[Clap135]

It is not necc, but a fmic should you your first upgrade, either that or meth.

[cstmx_ryder]

FMIC = consistency over power

DPs = power, but with heat soak, it doesn't matter WHAT type of DPs you got......Heat is heat.

What the heck, just get both, that's the best answer.....

[Clap135]

untill ATR is release you guys should focus on how your car behaves on the maps provided. Based on boom's and ztuners review who both pushed their cars in 70 degree days at the track, a fmic should be the first mod to help relieve timing drop out events as the mapping is a little agressive for that type of driving.

[1sicke92]

Not necessary. Highly recommended. Like others have said. It prevents heat soak.

[tscdennab]

Yes, an upgraded FMIC is necessary with any tune. With the stock intercooler, the IAT temperatures become too high and your boost will go up unnecessarily in order to compensate for the low oxygen density. Or if the boost is limited, you will make less power. Also, the stock intercooler has too high pressure drop at 14-15psi and this also strains the turbos and also the exhaust system (the exhaust pressure raises when the intecooler has big pressure drop because the turbos cause more resistance to exhaust gases).

[vgtek]

I'm in the same boat as you (cobb coming in soon), and I won't be tracking so I debated on whether or not to upgrade the IC. I live in SF where its pretty cool throughout the year, and I don't push my car constantly so I doubt I would suffer from or worry about any power loss, but we'll have to see. If I were to drive somewhere hot I might just switch to stage 0 .

If you're curious, a member posted a pretty extensive review about the Active Autowerkes fmic

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243939

[enrita]

Since you live in Florida i would order one together with the Cobb.

[boom]

It is not necessary at all if you're just driving spiritedly once in a while. If you track the car, drag race it, street race often or just beat the shit out of it all the time, I would recommend it. Fwiw I think the Cobb AP is one of the safest tunes available. It has great fuel control, reduces timing appropriately, and has excellent boost control. It hits 12 afr WOT at all rpm.

[enrita]

Originally Posted by boom

It is not necessary at all if you're just driving spiritedly once in a while. If you track the car, drag race it, street race often or just beat the shit out of it all the time, I would recommend it. Fwiw I think the Cobb AP is one of the safest tunes available. It has great fuel control, reduces timing appropriately, and has excellent boost control. It hits 12 afr WOT at all rpm.

like many other flashes out

[Litos]

1) you don't need it, BUT, it's best if you do

2) i'd go with FMIC before DP due to the fact that 1) it runs cooler 2) install is much easier and 3) it looks better

[stressdoc]

To clarify:

Are there any tangible benefits to a bigger FMIC other than avoiding heat soak in hot conditions? Say you live in a cold place and never get much heat soak. If a FMIC results in IATs that always average 10 degrees cooler, besides preventing cut outs from really high IATs, is there much benefit?

[tscdennab]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

To clarify:

Are there any tangible benefits to a bigger FMIC other than avoiding heat soak in hot conditions? Say you live in a cold place and never get much heat soak. If a FMIC results in IATs that always average 10 degrees cooler, besides preventing cut outs from really high IATs, is there much benefit?

From Corky Bell's book, Maximum Boost:

"Removing heat from the intake charge has two huge areas of merit. First, the reduction of temperature makes the intake charge denser. The increase in density is proportional to the change in temperature (measured on the absolute scale). Denser intake charges make more power. Second, but no less important, is the terrific benefit to the combustiOn process brought about by
reduced temperatures in the intake charge. Detonation is reduced by any reduction in intake temperatures. These two areas or merit are the reasons a proper intercooler can increase the power and/or margin of safety of the turbocharged engine."

So judge by yourself if an intercooler is needed or not.

[Chefcg1]

If you up boost it is a must especial where it is hot. Remember that it not only cools but an upgraded IC help facilitate the better and smoother flow of air. Even with intake temps inline the IC equipped car will run more volume of air smoothly.

[ianthegreat]

Originally Posted by E92PAT

would you guys preffer dp of fmic

FMIC first, DP's next.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

To clarify:

Are there any tangible benefits to a bigger FMIC other than avoiding heat soak in hot conditions? Say you live in a cold place and never get much heat soak. If a FMIC results in IATs that always average 10 degrees cooler, besides preventing cut outs from really high IATs, is there much benefit?

Its less work on the turbo's because there is less of a pressure drop. Making the turbo's work less in any condition is more efficient and less abusive, especially on increased boost.

[MKE_M3]

not required, but ideal second HP mod. Ignore the people who say they don't add power, that is just wrong. The CP-E comes with a secondary oil cooler, which is required if you do any track days.