TMIC upgrades anyone?

[DreamReaver]

Can't find too much info using Search on TMIC installs, gains, opinions, etc. I was looking at StreetUnit's site and saw the ETS TMIC upgrade for the Gen 2 MS3, and was wondering if anyone has this upgrade and can give me more information on it.

And I see FMIC info everywhere, so I don't want to talk about FMIC kits, as they're too much money for what I want right now. The TMIC upgrade is the one I'm considering. Thanks.

[speed23]

I think its a great upgrade. Much less restrictive than the stock one, so you make better power and heat soaks much less. Expect about 20 hp from it. The install is very easy.

Both street unit and ets are good.

[DreamReaver]

Thanks Speed. I noticed on SU's site that their SU product isn't for the 2010 model, or at least hasn't had the listing updated to say it is. Still says "2007-2009", so I went to ETS' model (it's a bit less expensive anyway). Thanks for the info.

[gsrtype1]

I love my ets 3.5. I did tests in limp mode that showed not only a clear 1.5-2psi gain from increased efficiency compared to the stocker but also the boost shoots up much quicker on the graph. Lower boost temps as well. I'm sure other upgrades are good too this is my experience with the ets.

[mzdaspeed3]

I have the street unit one, You def. feel a diff. car feels alot stronger. Heat soak is very min.

[pocket aces]

I have ETS 3.25" TMIC, & love it...I don't think you can go wrong with either SU or ETS. They look to be about the same, IMO of course

[zx2man]

A upgraded TMIC from ETS and Streetunit is a very nice upgrade from the piece of shit oem tmic. I Have the the 3.5 inch ETS on my car and its doing extremly well...you get some solid gains it and alot cooler temps than stock. BUT CXRacing sells thier fmic kit for around 560 bucks which puts it in the TMIC price range, I would suggest it if you plan to track your car alot or ever want to upgrade your turbo,or want better cooling abilities than a upgraded TMIC. But if your looking for something super easy...just slap it on and get respectable gains and your gonna run couple bolt ons for daily driver....then cant go wrong with upgraded TMIC

[DreamReaver]

Thanks ZX2man, that's a good point and I would have to consider that move if I wanted to ever upgrade the turbo in the future, which I'm sure I will since it's a no-brainer (after warranty expires, of course).

But I don't see an MS3 FMIC application on CXR's website. Lots of other cars, but not the Mazda.

[zx2man]

Originally Posted by DreamReaver Thanks ZX2man, that's a good point and I would have to consider that move if I wanted to ever upgrade the turbo in the future, which I'm sure I will since it's a no-brainer (after warranty expires, of course). But I don't see an MS3 FMIC application on CXR's website. Lots of other cars, but not the Mazda.

Yeah pain in the ass to find. Here is the link

cxracing.com: Newly FMIC Turbo Intercooler kit MazdaSpeed 3 MS3 MazdaSpeed3

The price from the site is 659.00

But call them up and ask if you can have the Ebay price...there are members on this forum who have done that and have saved around 100 bucks. You can also go to the turbo inducuction section on the forums and look at prices and reviews on this FMIC.

[DreamReaver]

Once again, thanks. That's a great-looking kit. Would this require a tune or would this directly bolt-on without any major need for additional mods? I'm new to boosted cars, so these AFRs and boost controllers are all foreign to me. I'm researching and searching here for info, but I'm just asking as the noob I am.

[skeeter149]

is the cxracing gen 1 specific? just dont wat op getting a gen 1 fmic for a gen 2. on a side note i loved ets on my gen. sleeper, stock, no lag, and didnt have to worry about rocks. I did sell it and go fmic but sometimes i miss the ets

[skeeter149]

here is a pic of the ets complete with shroud. the shroud was powdercoated black locally and i put on the ets sticker

a side view of core with no shroud and you can see one of the four holes to attach shroud

heres a side by side of the gen 1 stock and ets

[DreamReaver]

Sweet pics, and that's a sizable difference between stock and aftermarket. No wonder there are gains. I like the "no rocks" thing and the install I could do myself with the TMIC. The FMIC would be much more problematic for me since I don't have a nice garage or work area at my home for working on cars. I look for ease of install in my bolt-ons. But yeah, I can see the pros and cons of both FMIC and TMIC, just need to figure out which would be best for me at this current time. Thanks all!

[black_speed3]

The ETS tmic is becoming more and more tempting the more I read about it...

[zx2man]

Originally Posted by DreamReaver Once again, thanks. That's a great-looking kit. Would this require a tune or would this directly bolt-on without any major need for additional mods? I'm new to boosted cars, so these AFRs and boost controllers are all foreign to me. I'm researching and searching here for info, but I'm just asking as the noob I am.

Tuning is prefered..but I have seen many set ups where people on the forums are running the ETS with stock tunes and doing just fine....I myself have a pro-tune..but thats me.

The ETS is alot bigger than the stock oem tmic, which is pathetic..the ETS is a strong choice for most of us. The FMIC will help out in hotter climate weather-stop n go city driving and track use...Both are a huge upgrade over stock. Dont let the install of fmic scare you away..few hand tools and patience with the bumper removed and your fine. But you can always buy the ETS now,enjoy the gains and easy install and if you ever go big turbo or want that extra cooling..sell your ETS=they sell fairly easily...and then go FMIC...all in all I wish you luck and either way youll be better off that the stocker

Originally Posted by skeeter149 is the cxracing gen 1 specific? just dont wat op getting a gen 1 fmic for a gen 2. on a side note i loved ets on my gen. sleeper, stock, no lag, and didnt have to worry about rocks. I did sell it and go fmic but sometimes i miss the ets

Oh shit!!! lol....awesome point skeeter..fuck me..ummm yeah I think its gen 1 DreamReaver....call them up to make sure. If so yeah..prabaly go get that ETS...Ultimate Racing makes a fmic..but its like 1000 bucks. Sorry..totaly overlooked you were gen 2 man.

[DreamReaver]

No worries ZX2man. Thanks again for all the info. I'll almost definitely go with the ETS TMIC for now.

[knarfies]

so i was looking around to see how i wanted to go about installing my cai and my buddy walked up and laughed due to the fact that my intercooler is mounted ontop.

Is it really that bad that mazda did that?

[akbrazil]

I did a review on my TMIC experience. Look it up on my user name. I recommend it and I did see a good amount of gain from it as well.

I went with the ETS 3.25"

[nynhex]

Originally Posted by mzdaspeed3 I have the street unit one, You def. feel a diff. car feels alot stronger. Heat soak is very min.

Agreed and it fits the gen2 without a problem (well you can't use the stock grommets and some people report issues with the shroud...shrug). It's a great mod, spools the turbo quicker, holds boost longer, and keeps IAT lower. Yes you're way more prone to heat soak when idling for a good bit but it cools down pretty quick. And if you guys are like me, I don't boost when it's real hot anyways so it's a non-issue.

[Aetherfury]

Originally Posted by knarfalvarez so i was looking around to see how i wanted to go about installing my cai and my buddy walked up and laughed due to the fact that my intercooler is mounted ontop. Is it really that bad that mazda did that?

No, it's not really that weird. Most cars don't have FMIC stock (SRT4's do) but it's not that stupid, it is not great for heat, but both generations have ducting to get fresh air to it.

I mean the car already has 263hp/280ftlb torque stock so Mazda probably didn't release it thinking they were the captains of a giant fail-yacht.

I will be doing TMIC instead of FMIC while I am still under warranty

[DreamReaver]

I ordered my ETS TMIC Friday and though it's on backorder, I called them and they said probably a week or so tops. I also ordered a silicon boost tube kit from SU in blue, which shipped out already separately. I can't wait!

[mituc]

I have a SU TMIC on a gen1 speed3 and in 5th and 6th gear I seem to get boost cuts pretty much every time I slam the gas pedal to the floor around 3500-4500rpm (boost goes even up to 19-20PSI, and the load goes above 90%).

I'm just curious how things will go with ETS 3.25" on gen2's without touching any setting in the ECU.

[Amazon]

DreamWeaver - did you get them to make a shroud special to the 2010?

I ran a SU TMIC on my 1st gen without tuning, worked great until Mark's weak ass mounting tabs broke slamming it down on my plugs But great gains and definitly worth it, made the car run smoother.

[mituc]

Originally Posted by Amazonian worked great until Mark's weak ass mounting tabs broke slamming it down on my plugs

Well, the latest revision is known not to have this issue anymore, so if it also fits gen2 it should be fine.

[DreamReaver]

I requested StreetUnit to tell ETS to custom fit the shroud for my Gen2, since I've read here that fitment can be a problem. Since the fitment is "free", figured I'd wait the extra time and ask ETS to do that. I don't want heat soak at all and a solid fit.

As far as the ECU tuning for the TMIC, disconnecting the battery during the install should at least force it to adjust as much as it can to the air flow. I don't have a DP, so I don't think I'll need a tune. I don't hammer/beat my car anyway (32-year old father of a 4-month old can't go around acting like a raving lunatic...at least not ALL of the time), so I don't think I'll have much problem with the slight raise in boost.

The ECU should at least adjust to the TMIC as long as you disconnect before install, then drive it conservatively for a little while before you womp the pedal.

[migueleitor]

Hello, i'm new here.

i'm looking for a new/used ets tmic .

does anyone want to sell it?

thank you

[ROADWAR]

DreamReaver have you received your ETS yet? I ordered one (from Horsepower Freaks through Amazon) on May 2. It was back ordered on the 4th and I still don't have it.

[DreamReaver]

Nope. StreetUnit did tell me yesterday that the unit was still on backorder, but I should hear something by next week on shipping. ETS is apparently making a batch right now just to keep up with the demand from SU.

[ROADWAR]

Thanks. I guess we'll get 'em when we get 'em. I haven't got a reply to my email to HP Freaks that I sent Thursday.

[turbospeed]

I have the SU one as well, boost comes on a lot quicker. When you sit in traffic for awhile you get a bit of the heat soak feel but after your moving power is smooth again. When i was looking at both found the SU looks a little better with the mirror finish imo but ETS should work well too, even after hard driving IC is still cold to the touch unlike the oem pos.

[RacerX78]

I'm waiting or my ETS TMIC to come in. Should be here in a week or so.

[ROADWAR]

Just got notice this morning that mine is shipping today.

[AZRushki]

Originally Posted by ROADWAR Just got notice this morning that mine is shipping today.

nice, i ordered mine on the 7th so i hope to hear something soon aswell

[AZRushki]

still waiting on just getting an email :\

[RacerX78]

Just got of the phone with ETS and they still haven't made my batch of intercoolers. It won't ship until later next week.

[AZRushki]

Originally Posted by RacerX78 Just got of the phone with ETS and they still haven't made my batch of intercoolers. It won't ship until later next week.

-sigh-

and the wait continues, i'm with you.

[RacerX78]

I just want to be done modding for the year.

[AZRushki]

Heh i have a TP, CBE and some little other goodies all waiting on the TMIC, i wanted to get it all done at once. Everything has been boxed up and waiting patiently, but the TMIC is 'casually' late to the party.

[ROADWAR]

Got mine in late this afternoon. The promised boost tubes and t bolt clamps didn't come though. I'm going to raise the shroud mounting points to match it up with the scoop shroud bottom a little better. Pictures don't do this thing justice. It's a well made piece.

[RacerX78]

Originally Posted by AZRushki Heh i have a TP, CBE and some little other goodies all waiting on the TMIC, i wanted to get it all done at once. Everything has been boxed up and waiting patiently, but the TMIC is 'casually' late to the party.

I've got to change my tranny fluid, brake pads, paint my calipers install TIMC and plugs. then i should be done.

Originally Posted by ROADWAR Got mine in late this afternoon. The promised boost tubes and t bolt clamps didn't come though. I'm going to raise the shroud mounting points to match it up with the scoop shroud bottom a little better. Pictures don't do this thing justice. It's a well made piece.

Do you have to install with boost tubes. I didn't order them with mine. What happens if you use the stock tubes?