Had $390 extra in my paypal account, and was in the middle of my ENGINE PULL/ SPIDER HOSE /TURBO triage project, and said, heck, why not throw a nice FMIC in the car (note: this will be a 70% track, 30% street car when done)


Well, today, finally, engine started for the first time in 3 months of doing this project....HUGE NINJA STYLE HIGH FIVE.

All seems good. CEL, but that is to be expected as my pre-cats are...uhhhmmm....lets just say they are a bit PIGGIE NOW

1. Installation of the CXracing was really simple
2. One hint, do NOT try to do it without popping out your headlights (sooo much easier)
3. Lay it all out on the floor (on carpet, aluminum scratches easily)
4. Make note of 2, 2.25, and 2.5 clamps and where they go

5. Assemble hoses, clamps, piping in FMIC loosely
6. Hang, with ZIP TIES, the assembled parts from your cross bar of the fan shrowd (oh, yeah, remove that fan in front of your ac condenser)
7. Rotate the pipes into position.
8. ON the passenger side, note: YOU WILL REUSE THE LOWER CHARGE S hose. Took me 45 minutes to figure that out
9. With lights out, slip the silicone hoses over the throttle body down pipes and tighten clamp over the plastic downpipes, nd aluminum tubing to IC
10. Repeat on the other side, then do the bottoms.
11. NOTE, you basically have a TOP and BOTTOM intercooler with the CX racing. I called them for pics, and this lil tidbit saved me about 45 minutes of cursing. So, Top has a cold charge in, cold charge up to throttle, bottom, same thing...but in reverse.


12. PULL the front headlight sprayer units....i mean, really? I forgot i had them...so, pull, discard. chop the down brace in the old SMIC vent holes...a bit of snipping, chopping....no worries.
13. I took the time to prep/sand/prime my front bumper and hood, as i am spraying fresh paint (remember to reduce 30% if you spray...the nason paint needs to be sprayed wet/thin vs. heavy... you will be amazed how fast it cures....like almost instantly even when wet in normal temps.)

14. I have about 4 hours left, and will post finished product pics later this week of the car, painted, etc.

What i will tell you is there is a nice tone to the system breathing with the FMIC, taking the car up to 5500 RPM in the shop found me smiling with the definate upgrade in sound the piggies and FMIC has on the car "breathing". I also believe there is an increase in tone which is pleasant.

Overall, for short money and time, and skills, this is a nice upgrade in both looks, and over stock. I really appreciate the air-temp posts i have seen too in that the volume of aluminum and piping will indeed keep the charge cool and dense. I would not look for a eureka increase in power...but for track use, these look reliable, solid, and fully capable of handling hours of hard driving.

 

looking good

 

And finally, a few nice pieces of VINYL cut by my buddy - and not a bad little track car....

 

how does it feel?

 

So, spent the last few days ripping around the roads here in Maine and NH and have to be honest, this car has a new found pep and runs like a RAPED APE.

1. Assume the PIGGIES make the biggest difference as i hear hybrids really like free flow vs restriction on the dump.
2. There is a definite increase in TURBO WIND UP SOUND and you can hear the airflow of the turbo charge whoooshing through the FMIC. Very very nice.
3. I am throwing codes, but, that is because i know i have an O2 sensor to finish mounting (probably other small items since the pull too).

I know there are members who will weigh in on higher ended FMICs but to be honest, for a budget aware track car project...this was the perfect fitment/solution for me.

Words of wisdom: for those of you who suspect blown turbos - check your cam plug seals and Breather/Spider hose assemblies - you may be able to solve your oil burn problemo on a budget.

Next project: Full roll cage and brake upgrade.

 

I just saw this car on youtube. heh