Hey, I'ma try and take on a few of this post's questions at once [8D]....
--I put on a FMIC just around the same time Neur0tic did his, but I had an entirely different experience. I built the entire thing from scratch and had to cut, weld and fab every pipe (excluding core). The entire project took me about a week for install and to work out the kinks. Go with the kit... It will save time,blood, and could even save you a couple $kins (If you don't rip a hose or something) ...
--If you're gonna install a FMIC then ditch the sides (225) or side (180)... The air restriction will rob your engine of the air when it needs it and there will be a dramatic PSI drop. Those little box intercoolers are pretty weak anyhow and you wont miss em'....
--Get the TCarbon kit for the 180!! I know they have no pics or install instructions, but we need a "space-monkey" on this one. Take one for the team!!! I'de love to see what solution they offer for the 180t. If you send pics, I could help you mount it up and it wouldn't take long....Plus if it really does suck you can always send it back and get a refund...

just my 2 guineas...

 

I would recommend it too. Plus... if you dont like it, you can sell it on here to someone. hell... I might buy it. I was thinking of getting another core and trying to run two on top of each other. (I'd hook up Y-Pipes so the air was sent to both simultaneously. Not in circuit. -shrugs- I probably will never do that... but i know someone would buy it from you if you didn't like it. If you arent planning on building a race car... then its definitely the one for you. It's like $600 less than the others and works probably 75-85% as well as them. I would say the only reason you'd need either of the others... is if you were planning on big turbo... even then, you may not depending on what you're doing.

 

..So WTF do you have to lose?...do it...do it...do it... (peer pressure at it's finest)[sm=lildevil.gif]

 

If you're already looking into this outrageous setup (I can imagine you will have pressure loss), you probably should have gone with a better FMIC core.

 

Ahhh... you're one of "those" guys. You have absolutely no idea about the performance of this FMIc and you sure do like to bash the hell out of it because it isn't the most expensive. you know everything that shimmers is not gold. More expensive does not always mean better

Before you open your mouth and start spilling out more criticism toward me... please be sure to re-read this and the other FMIC thread and show me where I EVER said the tCarbon FMIC is better than the Forge. why would someone pay close to $900 more for an intercooler if they do not have any intention of ever requiring that slight to moderate increase inperformance they would get out of paying the extra $900.

If he had a need for it... then by all means. But nobody ever said that the tCarbon is better than the forge, but I WILL say that I think it is better FOR HIS APPLICATION than the forge.

 

i'm guessing i'mthe 1st 180TT tCarbon FMIC guinea pig? (unless someone beats me to it) if all goes as planned, i should have the FMIC in around Fall.. or 'Autumn' if you will.

 

Hey... I just wanna apologize. That was a little rude of me in my last post. I wasnt trying to flame anyone or anything. I get carried away sometimes and that was a little harsh. this is a forum and we're all entitled to our opinions and I am just a competitive person.... and kind of a smartass. lol
Please don't think I meant to be condescending to anyone or anything. It's all in the name oflearning and helping each other out.

 

There's no problem here, no offense taken. I didn't mean to bash you but at the same time, I didn't misunderstand you. My two cents is that the Forge, O.CT and Del Rio (perhaps in that order) are better fabricated cores, with a lot more R&D,and they look better. (The APR core looks awkward to me since it's not symmetrical. I guess it's a function>form thing.)

Firstly, you are one of the few people in this forum (to post, at least) that has the tCarbon FMIC. I've seen more than a handful of owners on Audiworld post their installation write-ups, but few really rave about it. Here again, you are one of the first. The tCarbon IC may be a good bang for the buck (considering it is around $500-600), but you know what's an even better deal? Finding a used Forge or O.CT. You may have to be more patient, but IMHO, it's worth it.

Either way, don't take it that I'm not happy for you. The loss of heatsoak occurancewould make me very content as well. In my case, another friend with a TT is upgrading from the Forge core to a better core, and will sell me his Forgeat a great discount (installed too).

 

^ hey nelson, know anyone else who's selling their FMIC

 

Not at the moment, but keep your eyes out for people parting their cars out.. check the big 3 forums consistently. Especially because you don't really know local TT guys yet, this maybe your only option.