[v8subie]

Getting started, installing the FMIC support beam and FMIC core


RTFM...unfortunately for me, the 1st owner didn't have instructions. So I've improvised and downloaded it from the manufacturer's website. Still didn't help.


Picture of all the pipes connected but not tightened down as of yet.


Tightened down and making sure there was no leaks at all. Wouldn't have mattered anyway, there were plenty at the end of the day.


The finished product.


It would have cost me $285 and 1 day without a car. I decided to do it myself with some friend's help since he had a garage and another friend of mine who had to re-flashed my ecu. Took us 6-7 hours seeing as how it's our first time doing this install. 1 was cutting the bumper [which was the hardest], 2 of us installed the intercooler [easy]. In the end, I saved money, gained experience, found leaky intercooler pipes that blew off at one point, severe back pain due to standing for 6-7 hours, 20 broken dremel wheels, and extra parts that wasn't required. Was it worth it? Hell yes.

[wowzors]

man that must feel damn satisfying

[ghost]

you have to reflash the ecu for a simple front mount?

[v8subie]

man that must feel damn satisfying

Yes it did. The back pain, no.

you have to reflash the ecu for a simple front mount?

It's not that. The problem, in the zip file there was two .hex files [maps]. Me and my friend didn't see the high-boost map and re-flash the ecu with a low-boost map. So yeah, I needed a re-flash, after fixing the leaks, I could feel a big difference in acceleration.

[Stiizy]

Nice install...

I remember when i did mine it took me 4 hours..

30 minutes for the intercooler


and almost 4 hours cutting and test fitting bumper...

I like the Java Black nice choice i have the 05 OBP

[rx-666]

mine sucked because i had to relocate everything. and the kit was like 1100+400 for the radiator. i think i spent about 8 hours on mine but i did it alone, took out the a/c at the same time, and replaced a bunch of other stuff.

[OMGHIyori2U]

I could feel a big difference in acceleration.

how's the lag?

[v8subie]

how's the lag?

The difference between my top mount intercooler and the front mount intercooler is minimal, it doesn't really make a difference. Sure, I felt a little of it, but that difference of lag is quite small to the point where it doesn't really do anything. Besides, having a larger intercooler installed before installing a larger turbocharger makes more sense.

[vinn]

Nice. Real stealthy with the paint

[Stiizy]

you make me wanna spray my FM black...haha

[visuelz]

Very nicely done but keep your engine bay clean! I think I would have paid the 300 to have someone do it though...

[terrorist]

now are you going to keep the semi non-functional hoodscoop?
or change the hood eventually?

[v8subie]

you make me wanna spray my FM black...haha

Do it. I personally think that black intercoolers look better with a dark colored car.

Very nicely done but keep your engine bay clean! I think I would have paid the 300 to have someone do it though...

Waste of money just to have someone else do a simple job like engine detail.

now are you going to keep the semi non-functional hoodscoop?
or change the hood eventually?

I'll change the hoodscoop eventually.

[Stiizy]

I have the Seibon Reverse scoop i like it but i want the ARC maybe next month when i get my tax return...


I think i will spray mine black thanks man....

[herovueboi]

Nice install, I have yet to ever complete my other prelude with the intercooler.

[v8subie]

I have the Seibon Reverse scoop i like it but i want the ARC maybe next month when i get my tax return...

Personally, I don't like Seibon's quality; ARC's got quality but when I saw that scoop in person [me -> ] Just doesn't flow with the exterior for some reason imo.

Nice install, I have yet to ever complete my other prelude with the intercooler.

You got balls. I would never boost a Prelude. I don't know, I forgot what my friend said about the pistons or blocks have different metallurgy from a regular b-series engine. I just remember the back-pain struggle lifting the cylinder head. Never again, I'm going to help him work on a Prelude. The cylinder head had 8 bent exhaust valves and 1 bent (recoverable) intake valve, the 2nd owner was pissed that the dealer screwed her.

[soju]

<--- don't like Seibon neither.
very bad quality and experience.

[viper2788]

hmm whats the significance of having a front mounted intercooler as opposed to using the hoodscoop(in general)?

[kelvin6]

A intercooler cools the air from the turbocharger. I don't know subarus and not sure if they use a top of engine mounted intercooler (and the scoop scoops the air into it) or if its the air intake.

When the air goes past the turbo charger you need to cool the air as this turbocharger is mounted near the exhaust and is probably taking heat from it as well as the turbocharger itself. Without the intercooler the warmed up/hot air will be inducted into the engine, making the car run rich and the air not as dense as it could be (from being cooler).

The intercooler mounted in the front or in this case in the front of the radiator and the lowest point (cold air sinks, hot air rises) allows for the coolest air and the highest amount of air flow through the intercooler allowing the maximum efficiency of cooling of the turbocharged air. A turbocharger IMO should always have a intercooler to cool its air, because no one likes to run rich...lol.

My Volvo is running a Mitsubushi 16T turbo, which is stock, water cooled, oil cooled/lubricated (engine oil cooler), and the charge air is cooled by the stock intercooler.

[PL<3Y]

<--- don't like Seibon neither.
very bad quality and experience.

Seibon is Garbage.
Fitment is terrible, the CF cracks easily and it's low quality from China.