I cant believe you made it. I asked on instagram and you delivered. Thank you for making this.

You already know my take on this Clint, lol. I have never believed that horsepower determined whether or not you should run a TMIC or FMIC, especially coming from the well-aged forum stickies. I look at them as empty rhetoric. Based on my experience with both types of intercoolers, FMICs will always have the edge over TMICs, not just mainly for power, but for efficiency by providing cooler charge air. Heat soak doesn't happen only in traffic, cyclic heatsoak also happens while driving hard for extended periods on the track or road, with many variables under the hood of the car, other than just ambient air temps. One of the few reasons I went from a GS TMIC to an ETS FMIC for my current 20G equipped setup is that an upgraded, larger core over OEM that takes longer to heat up will also take longer to cool off in a hot place. Move the core to a cooler place and it will be a different story. And it worked well for me, even for a daily driven car that sees action here and there. Less timing pull, less knock, more fun. Transient response is very minimal between both intercoolers after having it tuned. I actually noticed more lag going from OEM turbo to 20G than going from TMIC to FMIC. Also, stock Subaru TMICs are good until they start popping crimps (also with other variables), not at a set horsepower number. And last, my favorite saying about this topic: If Subarus require a certain power level to utilize an aftermarket FMIC, then all other non-Subaru (or non-Madzaspeed), OEM turbocharged cars should also run factory TMICs.

Excellent video. I will be sticking with the top mount for now.

I went with GS top mount and fp blue so I was kinda second guessing myself but you broke it down pretty good in this video and my decision makes sense. I’ll be DD under 400whp, no plans of ever hitting the track as of now. If plans change later then I’ll adjust later on..

Good info big dawg, I just subscribed and also new to wrx game!

My friend bought an STi with an eBay front mount kit on it, and he switched to a Grimmspeed top mount when he got the money for it. It pulls better with the shorter travel length for air and everything, but now he has a (horribly done) cut up front bumper.

No Intercooler ftw

Good shit👍

Forget NEEDING a fmic, you absolutely WANT a fmic for the benefits it brings. That's as much that needs to be explained, plain and simple.

Good video my man. If you look at the science behind how incredibly fast turbos build boost there is no noticeable difference in lag between tmic or fmic. With the crazy amount of air flow a few extra feet of pipe doesn’t matter.

Just to let you know guys, my sti is stock and where I'm from is extremely hot in summer, so as a result, I get ALOT of heat sok.. Thus need Fmic 😊

Preaching facts! Stock turbos DO NOT need a FMIC.. GTFO if you think it adds any significant benefits with a stock turbo. Also, Heat soak isn't a big problem when the car is moving at any kind of highway speeds.

Im at 25 psi, forged internals, standalone ecu, around 300 Hp. I need a fmic

Hey just a quick question, so i recently bought that turbo smart bypass valve that you mentioned the black plunge one, and you mentioned that it didn’t fit on the cob intercooler due to the angle of it and you had to get someone to weld something else on there. Which blow off/by pass valve did you switch to? And does it have to be welded on or is do you know a brand that will fit on that Cobb system as it is? Thanks man, appreciate your videos .

Why u didn't mention V-mount? :P

Hey Clint, what if im about to go stage 3 and plan on pushing more than 500hp in the future?

Whats the best remedy to lessen or reduce heat soak on a stock tmic? Just watch my iat's go up to 140f+ today, ambient was 93. Here in NJ it can go up to 100+ F.

A good topic to discuss is. What gas station do u go to n why?

Do you sale any of your used parts by chance I live In Bay Area and I’m always looking for parts for my 2012 hatch

Hey mate please let me know (Is that fine if I put it intercooler for my Subaru wrx 2011 with a stock engine !!!? I got intercooler that got M on the intercooler! I don’t know much please heal me out with this thanks

Whats your thoughts about upgrading stock downpipe to a Cobb? Will it be better

500 wheel or less , top mounts … more then that you’ll need front mount ,,,, people buy fmic. Just for Instagram lol 😂

You dont need a tune for an intercooler upgrade

You make the right choice getting rid of that car. Put all the money in it and now you won’t get back it all. Should got a car that make better easy power. Evo FTW!