So, I have my engine in place, and my new wiring harness is on the way courtesy of Tweak'd. My head is now going to what is next. Sensors of course, but I will get to that once my harness is in place. The TMIC though appears as though it is going to be an issue. I would seem that I have two options cut in a hood scoop, or change to a FMIC. Budget is of concern, but so is proper cooling. Does anyone have a recommendation hood scoop for TMIC vs. change to FMIC?:scratch
With the TMIC, you'll have a much lower turbo lag than with a FMIC. You'll need to ensure you get adequate air flow over the intercooler, and a scoop is really the only way for this. Regardless you'll still suffer from heat soak if you're stuck in traffic. Now with the FMIC, you won't have to worry about the heat soak (as much). The charge pipe will still absorb heat from the surrounding engine, but it's not nearly as bad as the TMIC. The problem with the FMIC though, lag. I have about 1-2 second turbo lag. I have a 2.5" intercooler setup (clocked turbo). While two seconds doesn't sound bad, it feels horrible. Eliminating the BOV/BPV will fix that though. If you do it right, people won't even notice the intercooler. Nobody seems to notice mine until I step on the gas (4" straight intake, 3" exhaust from downpipe back to a Magnaflow Street Series muffler).
I insulated my tmic and keep the pump running constantly. If you increase the cooling rad you will have more then enough cool water unless you're going 300+ hp, maybe then a fmic is a smart way to go, unless you just like how it looks. As the 3sgte air intake sits above the block an upgrade with fmic and gts intake manifold is the way to go. Side feed so no engine heat going into the piping.
Thank you both. I suppose I should put out some parameters, and then ask a few more questions. First off, I am only targeting 250-275hp. My usage for this car is solo II SCCA racing, but I am a local racer with no aspirations at this time to go to nationals. Just looking for a good time. Turbo lag is something that I am sensitive to because of the tight tracks that I run on, I will find myself coming almost to a stop, turning, accelerating through a short straight, and then braking again for the next corner. So as 4thgen mentioned, 1-2 seconds of lag will only prove to upset my car just prior to the next corner, as the turbo would kick about the same time I am ready to be off the gas. I am located in Montana, so atmospheric heat is not really much of an issue. Here are my questions: TMIC hood scoop - what are some good options? I have thought about a simple 3 sided cutout, raise the flap and weld in some sides, weld, grind, kitty hair if necessary. How high does the scoop need to be? FMIC - I have read Mafix's comments on this stating that a 28x7x2.5 would be sufficient for the HP that I am looking for, and would also keep lag to a minimum. Beyond sizing the FMIC correctly, what other modifications can you do to keep the lag to a minimum? I am running stock everything at this point, and would like to keep it that way if possible. I am planning on wrapping the IC pipes, DP, Turbo, and manifold.
SCCA racing with a TMIC will heat soak quickly. Also you can reduce the turbo lag if you eliminate the BOV/BPV. I'm guessing you're running a ST185 motor? Top mount, air:air intercooler? I would advise to seek out a ST185 CS intercooler (top mount, water:air). Then you can install a slim fan on it, scoop the hood and have the pump run constantly while racing (if you want to keep a top mount). Either way you'll still need to wrap/protect the bottom of the intercooler and do some other venting to help reduce the heat soak. I'm running a GEN4 3sgte (ST215) motor (which falls right in your HP goals) out of the box. I'm only running it at 9PSI right now (wastegate pressure). Anything over that I have problems with traction. I have a Treadstone TR8 intercooler. Here's some pictures of it installed.
I would like to have the CS system, but I know they are hard to find, and ultimately would be out of my budget. have looked at the TR8, but it is nice to see it installed. What do the intercooler pipes look like top side? Did you clock your tubo? You mention removing the BOV/BPV. On the stock CT26, isn't that located inside the turbo exhaust housing (something I have heard, but I do not know about). How would you go about removing it? I have also seen black FMIC, which would be a bit more stealth, I am assuming that it would also be less efficient.
Yeah they're a bitch to come by. I did clock my turbo. The hotside runs from the compressor housing, between the radiator and downpipe (tight f*cking fit) then does that 180* bend to the intercooler. The cold side runs straight up and right to the intake (there's pictures in my project thread). As far as the BOV/BPV that's different than the thing you're thinking of. BOV/BPV is the blow off valve (sometimes called bypass valve). That's what makes that cool PSSSH sound when you shift. You're thinking of the wastegate. Eliminating the BOV/BPV will help keep boost levels up while turning/shifting/etc. There is a lot of debate regarding if this is good or bad for the turbo. My personal opnion, diesel trucks pushing 30+ PSI at times don't have them installed. They've been known to last 1,000,000 or more miles before needing overhaul.
I'm all for eliminating BOV's I know several people who have done it and haven't seen any negative effects on their turbo's I used to have an old diesel pickup that didn't have a BOV....Plus the sound of turbo flutter is much cooler than the WUSSSSHHHH of a BOV....thats my 2 cents.:hammertime
I guess I have not looked at my system that close. I know what a BOV is, but I thought they were more of an aftermarket item, and not stock. I will have to look closer. I will definitely want to do all I can to get rid of lag. I guess that is my real dilemma: figure out how to do some body work or figure out how to get rid of lag. I am thinking that I will work on the lag. I really like the toned down look of our celicas, and I am afraid that fabricating a hood scoop on it would be like painting flames on it. While the scoop would serve the purpose it would not match the car. I think for that same reason I am going to go with a black IC, and wrap my IC pipes with black exhaust wrap. Trying to keep it flying under the radar. Thank you for the info.
