300zx TT FMIC

[300zxtwinz]

Okay I know tht most people absolutely disagree with the fmic on a 300z but I like the look and overall apeal of the fmic and I think it's better in the long run to have one. So in particular i stumbled upon this pretty nice one made my Pro Tuning Lab. It's not to bad on price and I think it's the only intercooler that I've actually liked the look of on the car
http://www.protuninglab.com/wm-sa300z-icai.html
That's it, in pretty sure it's 2 bigger smic's mounted side by side to get the fmic style but it is a little bigger and beefier than most of the other fmics+ it comes with the dual style intake. I think it's a hks copy from the older hks fmic style.
Let me know what you think about it and please don't bash on me because it's a fmic.

[Fearspect]

People don't like fmic on z32 because, unless you make significant modifications, it adds even more intercooler piping which reduces throttle response. Additionally, the cores are very small on fmic offered for z32s.

You are paying someone money to make your car less good. This is a step below ricing (paying a bunch of money to make your car look fast but not change its performance).

That being said, there is one brand that is proven good: the tdm works fmic. You can buy it from specialtyz.com though its pricey (triple your links cost).

[300ZXttZMAN]

Okay I know tht most people absolutely disagree with the fmic on a 300z

Yep.

Let me know what you think about it

I think it looks like a FMIC a copy at that. It will not out perform a pair of quality sidemounts. The only FMIC worth a damn would be the TDM, (I have also heard good things about the real HKS) but since you have to delete AC for the big core TDM it's basically track unless you don't care about AC.

and please don't bash on me because its a FMIC.

Oops. You can't get mad at people for bashing at the idea of a FMIC on a z32 especially when you know people will. It is like going to a h0m0 convention wearing gay looking clothes and then getting mad because a bunch of gays hit on you.

[NolimitZ32]

It is like going to a h0m0 convention wearing gay looking clothes and then getting mad because a bunch of gays hit on you.

Lol, you been drinkin buddy? hahahaha

[300zxtwinz]

I looked up stuff fmics and it's like it comes down to what your preference is, I've seen where people defend the fmic for thier own reasons and there are the majority that say the fmic shouldn't be there solely because the car was made for smic's back in the day. I guess you don't know till you try it out. Also if you upgrade the radiator you wouldn't have to worry about the engine cooling so much.

[300ZXttZMAN]

It is like going to a h0m0 convention wearing gay looking clothes and then getting mad because a bunch of gays hit on you.

Lol, you been drinkin buddy? hahahaha

Hehe, nope I wasn't. Just wanted to have a "fun" post.

But yea OP, I guess just get what you wish then later down the road you could always pull it out and upgrade again.

[bartZ32tt]

Also if you upgrade the radiator you wouldn't have to worry about the engine cooling so much.

Not necessarily. Radiators are air-to-water cooled. If you put a huge wind-blocker in front of it restricting flow to the radiator cooling fins, then upgrading radiators is not going to resolve that issue - the obstruction still exists. There are already enough things blocking the radiator's airflow: intake, a/c condenser, and oil cooler. The last thing it needs is another large dense object placed right in front, obstructing more flow. Our rad fans are belt-driven, so if you sit at idle or cruise low speeds in the heat, your engine will likely run hot.

Another very important question is: how are you going to accurately monitor an overheat situation before it's too late? The stock temperature gauge is not linear - you will need an accurate/reliable gauge.

Reliably putting a FMIC on a Z is a much more involved/expensive task than it seems. It can be done, but I personally wouldn't do it unless I was going to relocate the air intakes to stock SMIC location (which would be dual intakes so now you need another MAF, filter, and Selin translator), add a good coolant gauge, and add a good electric radiator fan, and buy a GOOD FMIC (which may require deleting the a/c altogether). All things considered, upgraded SMICS don't sound so bad.

[300zxtwinz]

I agree with you about the cooling problems but for that price what would be comparable fmics that are a direct fit that have some some of intake? I mean god speed has some but I don't know about the quality of those, also I think if you had a good dual core radiator with upgraded fans It would be fine for daily use not on tracks, also I was thinking about doing the fog light delete with a flexible rubber tube to the front of the radiator for additional cooling. And wounds you get a more equal boost to the throttle bodies? Smics seen like ther would be more weight or the same if anything. I would be interested to get this fmic and get a set of upgraded smics and see which one does better.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

I'll save you the hassle. The SMICs will perform better. On the street, on the dyno. You're searching the wrong places if your info tells you otherwise.

Disadvantages to FMIC include:
loss of cross flow (except TDMWorks and HKS)
decreased airflow to radiator
increased pipe length

Z1 Sport SMICs are a great 2.0" in/out IC, or if you can find some used Stillen or GReddy models, those are all better than the Godspeeds.

[dudeinaminivan]

I originally went with the godspeed FMIC and I had overheating problems, bad chioce. Of course, I live in Florida and see some high temps throughout the year.
Last November I switched to the Z1 SMIC's and they fit perfect with no modifications. I noticed an small increase in throttle response and it solved my temp issue.

[300zxtwinz]

What are the costs of good smic set can I get a new set for under 400?

[bartZ32tt]

What are the costs of good smic set can I get a new set for under 400?

Just search, man. Just go to a vendor's website and look up their prices.

[300zxtwinz]

Cool I will do some searching on a set of good smics. How much hp would upgraded smics add by them selfs? Do they add anything?

[BigTDogg (MA)]

They flow better than stock, and keep your charge cooler, so they add power. How much you'd have to dyno to see, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a 10HP gain on ICs alone.

[300zxtwinz]

That's pretty good for some pieces of aluminum hahah
How do you trust like regular JECS 740cc injectors?

[Z-owned]

That's pretty good for some pieces of aluminum hahah
How do you trust like regular JECS 740cc injectors?

Nismo 740's are the only ones you should consider if your looking for something in that flow range. Stay away from the jec's, deatchworks etc.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

^^^This

[Rager]

Cool I will do some searching on a set of good smics. How much hp would upgraded smics add by them selfs? Do they add anything?

smic are what most run up to 500-600 hp + and can be good above that range with the right products and mods to to follow . you have to think about how the Z32 and the VG30dett was enginereed . if nissan thought a FMIC was the best choice im sure they would have installed it stock from the factory. just food for thought. id keep researching to save yourself some headaches . again this come from a guy with an NA ......

[300zxtwinz]

What's the overall problems with the jecs or the deatchwerks like reliability? Quality issues?

[300zxtwinz]

And yea I agree with the whole maYbe what the company thought was right is the best thing but then there's like nissans exhaust and the there's like a hks exhaust, nissan could have designed a better exhaust or better bigger turbos for the car but they do detune thier cars a little for the average person.

[EM.TT]

Hate all you want guys but I have that intercooler on my Z and its not that bad. However, I agree with everyone about smic's being better in most (probably all?) cases, BUT:

-I opened up the inlets to a 2.5" ID (was 2.38")
-Fabbed some 2.5" IC piping routed around the radiator (retained OEM recirculation system with BDE GHK's)
-Dual MAF and 2.5" Intake beneath the headlights, custom inlets and accordians
-Painted it satin black with the Eastwood radiator paint and gave it a stealth makeover too to hide it (important part lol)

Hoping to reduce spool. I lost over five feet of piping and straightened out many of the sharp bends, so overall it might end up being comparable? Have yet to test it.

Anyways, I ran that IC last summer before these upgrades in the heat, without any issues (have other cooling upgrades as well though). Noticed a big bump in how well it resisted heat soak even on hot days, but gained spool time and a bit of power over stock smic's with the provided piping from that kit.

[300zxtwinz]

So wait do you recommend using a front mount? Like the kit I posted what do you think about that, seeing as you are running a FMIC @EM.TT

[EM.TT]

I guess what I was getting at was, unless you're doing a lot of custom fab work to accommodate that IC I would say don't waste your time. The only reason I have it is because I got a really good deal on it. I'm now trying to make it more efficient, and possibly more free flowing than a SMIC setup typically used, in hopes to make something out of nothing. More or less just a big experiment.

I'm still doing research but I feel the vertical flow FMIC done correctly (with better cores and a properly engineered end tanks) almost can't not be better. Im also doing a full front splitter and making ducts surrounding the IC and continuing back to the radiator to channel air, otherwise like everyone says you are just adding more resistance in flow to the radiator and the bay.

SO, if you wanna do lots of work and dorking around? go for it.
Want a bolt-on with minimal issues and optimal performance? go SMIC.

[Z-owned]

So wait do you recommend using a front mount? Like the kit I posted what do you think about that, seeing as you are running a FMIC @EM.TT

Let me break his post down for you.

I agree with everyone about smic's being better in most (probably all?) cases, BUT:

Noticed a big bump in how well it resisted heat soak even on hot days, but gained spool time and a bit of power over stock smic's with the provided piping from that kit.

The Z is not a car to try and go cheap on unless you like buying parts twice, that or your going to get frustrated and sell it after your crap parts ruin the car passing your failed project on to someone else. Not trying to be mean but you seem to be looking for any excuse to justify what sounds like you have already made up in your mind of running a cheap fmic. As has already been said if your set on a fmic there are a couple that do work TDM or hks (though i would stick to the TDM only) both of which are not cheap.

[300zxtwinz]

I found a nice smic set I like but it's the same price and it includes all the pipes from turbo to throttle bodies. I will eventually decide and it will proly be smics but depending on the bumper I get will decide what i use if I get a greddy style I'm going to use a fmic if I get a j spec I'm using smics

[300zxtwinz]

And I have a cx racing exhaust on my car and to tell the truth it's the nicest exhaust I've heard on a z car besides a stillen and it fit great and the metal is all pretty good quality so if you buy right certain things are okay

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Unless the ICs you found are 2.5" in/out, then you don't need pipes, just couplers if you want to upgrade to Silicone.

[300zxtwinz]

Does upgrading the pipe do anything? Like will it stay cooler or flow better?

[EM.TT]

It does both, but it's really only beneficial when the IC's and TB's are the same diameter. Otherwise you're just moving the restriction to a different location.

[300zxtwinz]

Makes sense. I was looking for intercooler a and for what I want it's smarter to do the whole kit because that's 500 and thats has all the piping from turbo to the trottle bodies and the ICs but If I just get a smic it's like 250-300 then for the pipes that connect to the throttle bodies it's 100 then another figure 25-50 for proper connectors and shot so for 400 I get half. I want the hard pipes because I was thinking about cutting a hole and having a sterol flange welded in the intake tubes to hold hks ssqv bovs also. And I was thinking about running a manual boost controller because a elec. is too much money right now