I am looking to buy a FMIC for my new ZED, but befor I buy I want to know the best way to go. Ebay special ? what brand is best ? whats best value ? what to look out for ? have seen the kits with piping included but thats not too much of an issue as my mate can fab me some pipework. so let me know what you think...
What's your budget? Goal for this zed? Best brands are ones like Greddy and Plasmaman, but prepare to pay for them. A new plasmaman FMIC will set you back around 2k, Greddy ones around the same from memory.
Can I ask why you are opting for an FMIC? The front of the Z32 restricts the air into the radiator already, then to put an FMIC in front of it is going to ask alot of your cooling system, not to mention heat soak. The sidemounts seem to be able to run the numbers and being on the outside means theres nothing to heat up the cores except the temp of the air inside them ...
Always ran a front mount, no issue with cooling whatsoever. I can see how ppl think that smics are better as they go in their designated spots but there was no temp difference with my fmic "blocking" the radiator. The eBay ones with piping is the way to go if ur not lookin to go all out. Had mine for last 4 yrs and its been running sweet. The piping fits perfect too so I'd go the while kit unless u can get pipes made up for cheaper. Personally I like the look of the front mount but each to their own I guess
You can get a vented nose panel which will help fresh air into it and an airguide to direct it to the radiator. Be sure you have an engine undertray. I remember my original one was MISSING (maybe fell off?). But without it, a lot of air gets sucked under the car and avoids the radiator. I had a big fat FMIC (and all the above, naturally ) and temps were fine on bloody hot summer days. Oh, I also had the UAS twin pass radiator. FMIC??? No worries!!
Intercoolers On my car I have tried Front Mount , Methanol Spray Intercooler delete , and God Speed /Jap Tec Side Mounts currently , Of the Ebay Front mounts i liked this one because it had two more passages than the cross over style FMIC , Front mounts are fan assisted in thier cooling by nature , but are easily spotted by the crabs , and the side mounts are somewhat limited for airflow in the original stock configuration (unmodified airflow air guides , bar , car, ect) That said with many Dragstrip passes with the above FMIC and SMIC's there was no real difference in performance and none of them made my car run hotter at any time .
Off topic but need to know more about what you went thru with methanol spray and the numbers you ran.
i absolutely hate my front mount pipes with a passion. they never go back on the same way they came off and always foul on the front bar, they are way too long and complicated and don't line up properly. im either going to get some 90 degree silicone bends to bolt on each inlet/outlet of the fmic then get some alloy pipes made to fit to the factory pipes or, bite the bullet and go for water meth injection.
I've one of these on the 2+0, never had a temperature problem but because the top tank angles forward a part of the stock TT bumper had to be cut out where the reo bar is.
I'm not sold on those vented panels, despite running one for a couple of years. I've got a stock one ready to go back on to do some comparissons.
I don't think it makes a difference at all really. For me it's purely a cosmetic mod, any cooling benefit is a bonus.
Speculation is that it might be letting air out rather than in... cosmetically I agree it's nice but if standard panel drops a couple of *c then I'll refit that for sure. Have to see how it goes.
Im happy to help test this out. Will wait for a nice day when I have some time and do a little testing.
Also depends on the style of the vented nose panel maybe? I think the one with horizontal openings across the middle as opposed to the vertical ones on the side is more 'functional' In motion air 'should' easily pass through it. At idle, hot air rises so would 'escape' but given the fans at work in the radiator under the panel is it enough to draw any air in? Perhaps an air current test kt could work it out. To be honest, I cant see how a nose panel on or off will make a 'significant' difference. Especially for daily driving applications. Certainly wont save you a difference between a smooth running car and a catastrophic disaster. If the car overheats it's not going to come down to the kind of nose panel that was on it.
Pete I'm running the same panel and it came with the same explanation that yours did. A couple of good mechanics have suggested to me now that air is more likely to hit the radiator and exit via those holes -particularly with a big 55mm radiator core.
