FMIC vs TMIC...which should you get for your VB WRX?

[@XxMirageOxX]

Glad you’re still making videos man!!!

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

@@XxMirageOxX I appreciate it! I just needed a bit of a break but we're back at it. I cant let the VB community down. 🤘

[@alexanderwise3932]

I so glad you found a new job you love, been rooting for you since York pa boxerfest

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

I really appreciate the support! Everyone in my community has been there for me and I will keep doing what I do for you all 🤘

[@utawofficial]

Can’t wait to see the smoke test video!!!

[@Modjira]

I'm older (mid 40's) and been in the Subaru game for a long time. I picked up a base model VB WRX because honestly, even having owned every version of the platform, I've never had the chance to build out a WRX. I think your channel is the absolute best for navigating through all the ever evolving options for the platform. My plan is to go for a utilitarian/rally build, without the lift, though. FMIC's were never on my radar because of the vulnerability of being on the front, and why I think Subaru put it on the top in the first place. I think Grimmspeed and ETS TMIC are the two I've narrowed down to. Keep up the great work, Awais! Hope we get to meet at a subifest sometime!

[@alanhenley4029]

Yes, I’d be interested in that hood scoop video. Looking to get one and haven’t seen a good breakdown of differences

[@baltimorefixed]

AWAIS, THIS IS THE CONTENT WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR.

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

Hahaha yes, I need to get abc to more discussions especially since black Friday is right around the corner! Prepare your wallets!

[@gaivoron]

Dream job, brotha!

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

@@gaivoron That's how I feel everyday that I go to work. I cannot lie that my job now is so badass.

[@JPuReTaLeNt]

Mine is a daily and will never see the track. I’m sticking with the top mount for those reasons because I don’t need over 400 whp. The quicker spool will be fun when I want to get on it here and there. Nice video

[@CruelUnknown]

This is always a big question I have when I do late night car part shopping.

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

Yea! In trying to get this kind of content out to prepare you for Black Friday!

[@VBmike2100]

Bro, love the vids. But one correction for you. Yes, heat from the engine bay does act on a top mount intercooler significantly more than a than a front mount. But it’s not because heat rises. Because heat doesn’t actually rise. Hot air does rise above cooler air, because it’s less dense. But it’s only that simple when other forces are not acting on the air. In an engine bay, the air is being pushed around because of pressure differences (e.g., high pressure pushing air in through the grill and cooling stack). Heat (i.e. thermal energy) is transferred in three main ways. Radiation, convection, and conduction. While the car is sitting still, engine heat is radiating into the top mount. When the car is moving, air entering the scoop is moving through the intercooler. Some of the heat transferred to that air is then transferred to the engine and some stays with that air as it exits the engine bay. Heat transferred via a fluid (air in this case) is convection. That’s why convection ovens have a fan.

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

@@VBmike2100 okay professor 😂😂 Jkjk I totally get what you're saying but for the simplicity of people like me it's engine hot everything hot top mount on top of hot engine so topmount go hot too uga uga. I do appreciate a more detailed explanation as you've seen from some of my tuner talks I love that shit.

[@KarasuGT]

Great video! I ended up going with a TMIC from COBB along with their other parts from the stage 2 package. Went this route because I’m going for OEM+ and the car is more of a daily driver for the family and sporty for me. This is the first time ever that I’ve added an aftermarket intercooler and I’m impressed with the gains. Just needs an AOS and maybe a protune next? What are your thoughts on that? Thanks again for the great content. 😎👍

[@KuyaPow626]

Nice video topic, Awais! Definitely got excited to see this one since I spent a lot of time comparing all the brands available. Just a heads up, my Mishimoto charge pipe has worn away at the exact same bolt. Luckily, the way mine is routed it only scratched off some power coating and not actually dug into the metal like yours. Reason I mention this is because I had to take that bolt completely out to install my pipe, and then retighten that whole bracket AFTER the charge pipe was in place. There's some slight wiggling you can do to readjust all the spacing. Btw I'm planning to hit you up with a special request- look out for your DMs on Instagram or something, hopefully before the end of the year.

[@c013s14w]

I strongly agree with your take on intercooler choices.

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

Thanks! I try to be as objective about these reasons as I can.

[@Kopernicus67]

Just my preference, but the top mount is a defining feature that makes a WRX a WRX. I know you get uber cooling with the FMIC, but it is not true to the car. Kind of like people that put V8s in Miata’s, sure they are fast but it really isn’t a Miata anymore.

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

You a are totally correct. The hood scoop and top mount is such a staple of the brand and what made me fall in love with Subarus in the first place.

[@jperez2396]

I agree I would want to keep the TMIC for the scoop being functional I feel like you would need a front mount if your pushing more than 4 or 500 hp

[@garrett6389]

VW has used a factory FMIC design with the radiator directly seated behind the intercooler. It’s not optimal but it doesn’t cause as much issue as some people might claim. Because of the bumper design on the WRX snow can get packed into the vents and potentially cause problems if you have a FMIC but I’ve only heard anecdotal stories about that. I would be curious to test that out!

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

This is something I will be testing during snow days this year. We didn't get enough snow last year and the year before when we did I didn't have a FMIC.

[@jedwin4816]

What TMIC fits best with a front strut tower brace? I wouldn't want to buy one and then discover I'd have to ditch the brace for it to fit.

[@WillCamacho-gb2kg]

Just to be clear, if I get a VB WRX, will I need a tune for specifically a BPV and a CatBack?

[@inactivemogul403]

Background needs more Ecotech logos. Because like grills and bumpers you're blocking that ish!!🤣 🤘✌

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

Rofllll I actually tried a few angles but since I'm by myself I couldn't get the camera to focus. I have a few ideas to make a media area at the shop as well. Something with a green screen and desk. I've got big plans!

[@phole_999]

great video. i have a potentially dumb question but never seen someone cover it. does a front mount not effect airflow to the radiator? tons of cars have that setup so im thinking it doesnt matter but wouldn't it block some of the airflow to it?

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

Yea air flows through it and also the radiator. Our cats aren't too bad heat wise so it's never really been an issue. For cars that have weak cooling systems generally an upgraded radiator can combat any downsides to any higher temp air that flows through the FMIC to the radiator.

[@maxtynuv5536]

I went with Process West TMIC. It’s a great design and one of the largest on the market. Because turbo on these cars is on the bottom of the engine, TMIC is actually not that bad. I had FMIC on my old STI.

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

Yea with the fa series WRX it's fantastic. I really want to grab a few intercoolers to do install videos.

[@alexudolkin2146]

I love the verticooler design from process west

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

Yes! I'm actually a pretty big fan of that. I'm hoping someone in our community picks one up. Id love to do a video on it.

[@MarcoAntonio-pn9mv]

My buddy has a fully built EJ and makes around 600 wheel. He runs this intercooler for years with no issues. The veri cooler from PW

[@bryanallendorf7064]

Subaru also still does this to reduce damage when rallying the car.

[@palaciosfreddy9189]

Also to note tmic vs fmic; pressure loses. Boost entering tmic vs boost exiting tmic >> inatke.

[@JaceMazama]

Went with the Process West TMIC, doesn't use the factory inlet and plenty of room for catch cans/AOS that mount back left of the engine bay near the fuse box.

[@maxtynuv5536]

I went with PW too. I think it’s largest on the market as TMIC. The fitment wasn’t that great in my opinion but it does the job.

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

​@@maxtynuv5536id like to get one to test myself.

[@jimmyKwrx]

This is perfect timing for this video, I’m currently trying to make this decision. Is there any truth to the rumor that removing your crash bar to install the front mount will give you problems with your insurance if you get into an accident?

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

@@jimmyKwrx oh man I completely forgot to tell about that. I have heard some people's insurance discuss this but I never got a confirmation if it would be an issue. I do know that many companies sell aftermarket bars as well so at least we aren't completely out of luck.

[@jimmyKwrx]

@ For sure. So far all I’ve heard about it is anecdotal. Haven’t come across anyone who has had first hand a first hand experience dealing with insurance with the crash bar removed. Maybe someone in the comments has

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

@jimmyKwrx I Mena if you hit someone head on, make sure you go for gold so they can't figure out it's missing 😂

[@jimmyKwrx]

@ lmao truth! Haha

[@Smeedia]

What about a V mount sir 👀

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

Ooo baby I like it when my intercooler spreads like butter 👀

[@EmperorPenguin]

Any recommendations for the GT i was thinking just i pipe , ets top mount and ets intake. But not sure if that excessive for daily cvt

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

@@EmperorPenguin from what I've seen all that is fantastic and it's going to come down to your tuner. If they tune it conservatively with the CVT's life in mine I think you'll be totally fine.

[@EmperorPenguin]

@@HeavyMetalWRX yeah will eventually meet Chris at six Star in Chicago

[@leonardosierrasalazar1939]

We totally had an example VA or VB top mount in the dungeon :,)

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

BROOO did we ? Clearly I didn't look hard enough. 😂😂

[@brian6speed]

I'm not a big fan of Perrin. Their fitments always seem to be off. I was debating between the Grimmspeed or AMS TMIC. The AMS is cheaper, but Grimmspeed has CNC'd end tanks and comes with 2 tb gasket. Both are on sale atm. They both should fit with the IAG AOS and Perrin Strut Bar. I plan to get AMS Intake as well. They make great products. The drag record VB is running their FMIC. Edge Autosport did a TMIC test and the Grimmspeed and Perrin were at the top(AMS wasn't in the test).

[@spacedmellow5031]

I’m waiting till summer to dmann tune my VB. Im aiming for 350 ish whp. The set up I plan to run consists of: Perrin turbo inlet v2/ETS tit intake/Stock TMIC/PLM or STM jpipe/Stock cat back with Bosso axle backs. I was wondering if you or anyone in the comments would know if this is achievable using 93?

[@chads7796]

I would HIGHLY recommend an AOS with that setup. Felix Performance is local to me and Dmann Protuned/dynotuned my VB made 354whp/356wtq. Anothny/dmann will recommend an AOS for sure. Personally, I would skip the JPipe and just go for an Ipipe or better yet the Perrin Frontpipe. You will get most of the gains without the cell from the jpipe.

[@randomz_VB]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpipgWuPhc5rl5osi=6ZF2wb-DkLYERncy

[@spacedmellow5031]

@@chads7796I appreciate your help with this. Saves me from spending more than I have to.

[@716Flat4]

I am literally about to place an order for my first performance mods. Invidia UEL headers, AMS TMIC, Process West charge pipe, ETS intake and tune by Dmann...but I live in Buffalo. Up here, we are below 50F like 6 months out of the year. It only gets hot up here for 2-3 months, and rarely even gets to 90. Part of the choice is budget, part is inspections, emissions and police, and part is because I anticipate a slight rpm shift on boost, even with the twin scroll feature on the UEL...didn't want to double down on the delay because you would feel 400-600 rpm 100%. I figure, witht he power gains I am about to get, I probably wont notice the shift either. Very interested in your initial data on the scoops, even if it is only preliminary. I got a rarer one that has the extra bubble in the middle. It has a plastic grid that is like vertical hexagons...fairly open. open enough that it lets stuff through to hit my stock tmic and bend fins.

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

That's very interesting about the UEL. Is it really a kciamed 400-600 rpm lag? I feel like I would notice that.

[@716Flat4]

@@HeavyMetalWRX no, the claimed is 300ish, i was adding that to the fmic in theory...not that it would play out that way.

[@Aether52]

I have learned the hard way why jpipes are rare, still waiting for a new turbo to arrive since the tech who tried to install my jpipe snapped all the studs flush with the turbo. It has become a nightmare to deal with

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

Oh man that is not good. I know the stock studs have always been doodoo.

[@Aether52]

My car has been effectively "out of commission" for about a month now because of it. Been trying to avoid using it whenever possible.

[@chads7796]

Rally is a top mount but likely a V mount...which is a little more complicated than a regular TMIC.

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

@@chads7796 actually once I was editing the video I realized that that was more true in the rally car. You're absolutely right.

[@scoobysean555]

300 bhp fine for tmic 400 bhp plus id go front mount

[@crypticmind03]

I just picked up a perrin tmic. Just one thing that sucks is that it's so freaking big I can't run my aeg aos..

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

@@crypticmind03 I'm a really doing that install on my buddies car this weekend. How bad was the grinding of the plastics and the shroud ?

[@crypticmind03]

​@HeavyMetalWRX the grinding isn't bad. It goes easier with using an angle cutter power tool and a few files to clean things up

[@HeavyMetalWRX]

@crypticmind03 I was going to use my Dremel. I don't have an angle grinder ☠️

[@crypticmind03]

@@HeavyMetalWRX dremmel will work just use the en lathe bits.

[@brian6speed]

IAG AOS fits with AMS or Grimmspeed TMIC. Other issue can be strut bars.

[@irvinsalazar7378]

If the time attack HKS gt86 set a super fast lap with a top mount it should be fine lmao😂