DIY FMIC Install
DIY FMIC Install w/ PICS Here is what I have bought thus far. I'm sticking with mild steel and after it's welded up, I'm going to paint it. The kit will involve coming from the STS driver side pipe, to the FMIC and then up to the MAF then TB.
I bought (4) 2.5" mandrel bent 180s, (4) 2.5" mandrel bent 90s and (4) 2.5" mandrel bent 45s. I also got (2) 2 to 2.5" transition pipes (mild steel also) and (2) 2.5 to 3" transition pipes for the intercooler hook-up and finally, 3 feet of strait 2.5" pipe.
Everything will be welded where possible, and I'm going to also get (2) 3" silicone couplers for the intercooler to connect to the plumbing, as well as some assorted 2.5" couplers just in case they're needed in various places.
I'd like to get some opinions of you guys that have bought the kits and some of you guys that have DIY.
Total cost was under $400 including the intercooler and I'll probably end up returning some of the pipe for a refund.
Within the next 2 weeks, I will be posting pictures and a data log of the stuff I've done. My hope is to allow everyone else who will be doing this in the future to not have to blow 2-3 times what I spent on a "kit" that some shop came up with. Of course the kits work and they're high quality, but hey...saving $400 is worth the time and effort IMO.
I bought (4) 2.5" mandrel bent 180s, (4) 2.5" mandrel bent 90s and (4) 2.5" mandrel bent 45s. I also got (2) 2 to 2.5" transition pipes (mild steel also) and (2) 2.5 to 3" transition pipes for the intercooler hook-up and finally, 3 feet of strait 2.5" pipe.
Everything will be welded where possible, and I'm going to also get (2) 3" silicone couplers for the intercooler to connect to the plumbing, as well as some assorted 2.5" couplers just in case they're needed in various places.
I'd like to get some opinions of you guys that have bought the kits and some of you guys that have DIY.
Total cost was under $400 including the intercooler and I'll probably end up returning some of the pipe for a refund.
Within the next 2 weeks, I will be posting pictures and a data log of the stuff I've done. My hope is to allow everyone else who will be doing this in the future to not have to blow 2-3 times what I spent on a "kit" that some shop came up with. Of course the kits work and they're high quality, but hey...saving $400 is worth the time and effort IMO.
Last edited by pdanrichey; Feb 19, 2007 at 12:26 PM.
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I bought high quality 4-ply silicone couplers and like I said, much of it will be welded verses using the couplers for the bends. The downside is that many guys don't have unlimited access or access at all to a welder. I will document where the parts are welded together so in a worst case scenario, if you don't have a welder, feel free to try you luck with the couplers 
.
I also forgot to mention that I bought (8) 2.5" t-bolt clamps and (4) 3" t-bolt clamps.
I've seen a lot of OBX couplers crap out like the ones Bob posted. I will be using the elbow coupler that STS provided for the bend to the TB. The guy I got it from was pushing 10psi on his setup, and I'm looking to do around 7psi until I get a few more things for the car done.
.I also forgot to mention that I bought (8) 2.5" t-bolt clamps and (4) 3" t-bolt clamps.
I've seen a lot of OBX couplers crap out like the ones Bob posted. I will be using the elbow coupler that STS provided for the bend to the TB. The guy I got it from was pushing 10psi on his setup, and I'm looking to do around 7psi until I get a few more things for the car done.
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Finally DONE!! It's been awhile since I've responded, but I just got everything finished on Friday. I still have to clean up the pipes, inside and out...then I have to paint them and bolt them up.
I have 2 joints that connect to the MAF that need to be welded up, but I wanted to give myself a little bit of slack just incase there is a fitment issue. I don't think there will be, but you never know. There will be more pics and updates to come over the weekend as I get them cleaned up and installed.
As you can see, I'm only using one coupler in the mix and the one for the bend to the TB. I had too of course otherwise the pipes would never get in there! Also, there are (2) large couplers that go over the MAF on those expansion joints. The 2nd picture is the pipe that makes the bend up to the TB from the MAF. I'm going to buy another "heat" shield like the one STS gives you for the air filter and put that on the underside of the MAF for weather purposes.
Once it's up in there, I'm also going to hang some brackets from the frame to help support the weight. I'll use elbow brackets and leather exhaust hangers for that in 2 spots. One on the driver's side before the coupler and one near the MAF part of the pipe.
I'm scheduled to get dyno'd this coming Tuesday.
I have 2 joints that connect to the MAF that need to be welded up, but I wanted to give myself a little bit of slack just incase there is a fitment issue. I don't think there will be, but you never know. There will be more pics and updates to come over the weekend as I get them cleaned up and installed.
As you can see, I'm only using one coupler in the mix and the one for the bend to the TB. I had too of course otherwise the pipes would never get in there! Also, there are (2) large couplers that go over the MAF on those expansion joints. The 2nd picture is the pipe that makes the bend up to the TB from the MAF. I'm going to buy another "heat" shield like the one STS gives you for the air filter and put that on the underside of the MAF for weather purposes.
Once it's up in there, I'm also going to hang some brackets from the frame to help support the weight. I'll use elbow brackets and leather exhaust hangers for that in 2 spots. One on the driver's side before the coupler and one near the MAF part of the pipe.
I'm scheduled to get dyno'd this coming Tuesday.
Last edited by pdanrichey; Feb 17, 2007 at 10:20 AM.
Had it made by a muffler shop...he just flared the parts that I needed to the sizes I requested. It's all 2.5" pipe. I used a flaring tool from Autozone and an impact wrench (air gun) to flare the pipes enough to create a lap weld verses a butt weld. He flared out the parts that I will use a coupler on, which is minimal.
More pics and updates Everything is done now except for one spot to be welded up, which I'm going to fix today. I left this little sliding piece undone just in case there were fitment issues. Thus far, there really are none. The MAF connection is not as straight as I'd like it to be but it will work. I'm going to play around with it one more time to see if I can't get it any better but I'm satisfied with the outcome. I just hope there are no leaks...that would suck!
I'm putting the bumper back on today and getting the I-pipe welded up...then I'm done !!
I'm putting the bumper back on today and getting the I-pipe welded up...then I'm done
!! One more pic that shows how the driver's side pipe connects to the beginning of the FMIC setup...
And, a pic of my bumper...not cleaned up yet. I've already painted it around the edges and when I get some more time, I'm going to buy that rubber stripping that goes around edges and put that on there...black in color.
And, a pic of my bumper...not cleaned up yet. I've already painted it around the edges and when I get some more time, I'm going to buy that rubber stripping that goes around edges and put that on there...black in color.
Here are a couple with the bumper back on. The car is finished...ready to be tuned tomorrow!
I took her for a little spin and everything seems just fine other than an exhaust leak, which makes it EXTREMELY loud. I'm getting that fixed tomorrow also.
BTW, the bumper was a pain in the *** to get back on! It was mostly the wheel wells and those stupid plastic things. I got so PO'd at them, I just decided to the drill them and attach the panels that way...worked very well IMO.
I took her for a little spin and everything seems just fine other than an exhaust leak, which makes it EXTREMELY loud. I'm getting that fixed tomorrow also.
BTW, the bumper was a pain in the *** to get back on! It was mostly the wheel wells and those stupid plastic things. I got so PO'd at them, I just decided to the drill them and attach the panels that way...worked very well IMO.
