E-Bay TMIC

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by WRXCoupe, Sep 16, 2008.

  1. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

    I have an e-bay TMIC on the way. Any words from the wise on the install.
    Thanks
    Mike
     
  2. nsvwrx

    nsvwrx Active Member

    Get ready to fight it for a few hours...
    and its never going to sit Exactly right so be ready for that...
     
  3. crashtke

    crashtke Member Supporting Member

    Little minor modifications to the bracket (widening hole, etc) and a handful of washers and you will be fine. Some rubber washers don't hurt either.
     
  4. Jake

    Jake Active Member

    yeah pita install. Make sure you get some kind of larger scoop/splitter to take advantage of the whole surface area.
     
  5. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Some of the newer one came with a 'stepper' to make the IC sit right. PUSH YOUR AC LINES BACK and out of the way.
     
  6. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

    I have an Sti scoop and splitter. Any idea what size washers you might recommend? Hopefully it has a stepper I did some research so it is one of the better E-bay tmics.
     
  7. WJM

    WJM Banned

    make sure the AC lines are cleared or wrapped so the IC doesnt hit...the newer ebay ones fit like a charm. Dont worry if it doesnt bolt down, just get the BOV and the inlet/outlet on and its all good.
     
  8. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

    Excellent!
     
  9. siegelracing

    siegelracing Registered Vendor<br><b><font color="#666666">bion

    Make sure you get meth injection because the cooling efficiency of the ebay TMIC's in hot weather is JUNK.

    Siegel
     
  10. WJM

    WJM Banned

    You got IAT logs from the 3 locations to back that up?
     
  11. siegelracing

    siegelracing Registered Vendor<br><b><font color="#666666">bion

    I've got a cumulative 40+ tunes on EBAY TMIC's and 50+ on "real" TMIC's that back it up.

    Siegel
     
  12. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

    I will definitely hold on to the Sti TMIC for Summer. Is a retune necessary for TMIC swaps?
     
  13. crashtke

    crashtke Member Supporting Member

    If indeed the car is sensing any knock from the higher IAT's or less dense intake charge, it will pull timing on it's own. If the DAM number gets ugly, then you might want to look into getting Scott to tweak the map for it.
     
  14. WJM

    WJM Banned

    Why dont you get some REAL TEMPERATURE data and then we'll talk.
     
  15. siegelracing

    siegelracing Registered Vendor<br><b><font color="#666666">bion

    I have the data from the tunes, why don't YOU get some data to contest it with ;)

    Siegel
     
  16. WJM

    WJM Banned

    I will when I get some other TMIC's to test with I'm going to.
     
  17. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

    Well I'll have both TMIC's and soon I will have data logging capability???? What do ya think? Just tell me what type of data you need and I will try to provide it.
     
  18. WJM

    WJM Banned

    you've got to setup 3 temp sensors...pre turbo, post turbo and post IC before the TB.
     
  19. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

    Wow, makes sense though!
     
  20. Kokopelli

    Kokopelli Active Member

    Why 3? You already have a pre turbo intake temp sensor built in to the maf.
     
  21. WJM

    WJM Banned

    For scientific reasons all the sensors should be the same type, same brand, etc etc to make it controlled. The only variables being the actual temps, the intercooler and weather conditions.
     
  22. crashtke

    crashtke Member Supporting Member

    I would think that pre and post intercooler would tell a decent enough story. The one in the MAF sensor will be consistent enough to at least let you know what the sensor is taking it. I would also like to see some of this data...those sensors are not cheap though, lol.

    But the info I found from a guy that tested them on Nasioc:

    "I only got to drive in some Hollywood traffic to test it out, but WOW. where as the OEM intercooler gave me about a 10-15 degree temp drop and would get heat soaked after 10 minutes of traffic, this one stayed at 80 - 90 degrees!!! I've NEVER seen double digit temperatures on my stock IC after the car got warmed up. The temp drop across the intercooler was hovering around 35-40 DEGREES!!!! The inlet temp was about 125-130... same as before."

    The super duty high fin density once may be better, but I believe them to be better than stock by far.
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2008
  23. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

    Hmmm not too shabby!
     
  24. 2thAche

    2thAche Member

    Heatsoak in traffic, I don't understand why that matters. I've watched temps with the stock TMIC, and they drop very quickly as soon as the car gets moving. From what I hear about the ebay TMICs, where they falter is hard driving when you're making and needing power.

    I care alot more about temps on a mountain run or at the track than when I'm stuck in traffic.
     
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2008
  25. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    I personally think the 'right' ebay TMIC works great. Two of my buddies run them on pump gas and they NEVER had any issues. Both now are running meth injection so we can't test with them now.
     
  26. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

    Maybe I will be motivated to meth!
     
  27. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Do it or go home!
     
  28. crashtke

    crashtke Member Supporting Member

    Have not had an issue so far, knock on wood! I think it goes back to all ebay TMIC are not created equal. Just like if you go to the store and both Miller Lite and Bud Lite are on the shelf for the same price, Miller Lite tastes SOOOOOO much better for the same amount of money :)
     
  29. 2thAche

    2thAche Member

    :barf:

    If I were at the store, I'd be grabbing a sixer of Ale! :rofl:
     
  30. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

  31. crashtke

    crashtke Member Supporting Member

    Actually I have been on a hefeweizen kick lately. Two of my recent favorites are Leinenkugel and Sarnac. Leiney has a Summer Shandy that is pretty darn good. Both make some great brews...also the old standby, Paulaner hefeweizen.
     
  32. 2thAche

    2thAche Member

    I've been doing the same lately, I like the cloudy ones with a slice of lemon. Gotta have Ales in stock tho. IPAs or plain old ale.
     
  33. crashtke

    crashtke Member Supporting Member

    Also try the Sarnac Dunkel dark hefe....mmmmmmm good stuff!
     
  34. Sharpe

    Sharpe Member

    mmmm wheat beer with a shot of bananna juice....got hooked on that while working in germany.
     
  35. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

    Had Stephen break a few knuckles on my e-bay TMIC threw in a Rotella oil change here are the pic's, fitment was good!
    [​IMG]
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    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  36. Sparta

    Sparta Active Member

    I thought u were italian?

    I've seen your car around SS a couple of times
     
  37. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

    Euro-Mutt My Mother is From Germany Father from Manchester England , but also have Gypsy and Italian blood, if that makes sense!
     
  38. nsvwrx

    nsvwrx Active Member

    Why is there a radiator on top of your engine?
     
  39. Sparta

    Sparta Active Member

    I've actually heard that before
     
  40. nsvwrx

    nsvwrx Active Member

    Not as bad as "why do you have a speaker at the front of your car?"
     
  41. Sparta

    Sparta Active Member

    lol I hear that too, damn those Hella's
     
  42. nsvwrx

    nsvwrx Active Member

    I meant a black painted FMIC looks like one
     
  43. Kokopelli

    Kokopelli Active Member

    front mount sub woofer ftw
     
  44. kingwrex

    kingwrex Supporting Member

    the ebay big top mount was not as hard as everyone makes it out to be at all. only things i ran into was the silicone hose to the turbo had to be cut a few times untill it was the correct length so it lined the IC opening with the throttle body opening. then the stock throttle body to IC hose was to short and caused the BOV to hit the intake when fully mating to both IC and throttle body. had to go to pep boys and buy an aftermarked silicone hose that was longer. once i had the longer hose it fit perfect. i connected the left side with the black IC beacket and bolted it ilke stock would have and zip tied the other side for safe measure. the front piping that connects the hoses would not bolt down as the stock IC bolts were not the same thread pitch or bolt size. once you figured out what size bolt is supposed to be used you can bolt that down and its finished. all in all it was not really a big deal at all.
     
  45. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

    Regarding not having a FMIC or $$TMIC=no money, oh and broke:rofl: Saving up for tranny w/ppg gears and suspension, engine will have to get me by for a couple more years, the only other money I may put into engine performance other than maintenance is a differen't cat back and if my turbo inlet goes a solid inlet.


    One thing Stephen and I noticed about the fridge unit right away was a great improvement in turbo spool very noticeable:ddirty: For $200 great bang for the buck!
     
  46. Mr. Kidd

    Mr. Kidd Member

    ehh the honda guys have been battling this for years.

    Look the heart of the arguement is getting distorted let me try to put my limited experience in and my .35)

    Is an EBAY TMIC GOOD? Sure, it works, tell me what makes it BAD. DEFINE BAD.

    Is an EBAY TMIC AS GOOD as "Insert name brand". In construction, prob yes. In thermal efficiency and cooling of the intake charge, prob not. But they are getting better.

    It really all depends on what you are doing and what the car is intended for. I will use an EBAY intercooler (XS Power, SSAUTO, GOdspeed, etc) on any honda making under 400whp and have no problems achieving that power. For a street car its fine even if you live in arizona.

    However, if this guy is TRACKING his car or drag races alot, you CANNOT ARGUE how well a much better quality name brand intercooler will do. We are talking 30-40 degree differences on IATs here.

    Ive seen a 600whp car do a pull, and then do another pull and lose 75-85 whp just from being too hot because the intercooler wasnt doing its job. Guy switched from EBAY to air to water and was extremely consistent in power no matter what.

    The ebay i would venture to say is fine for 75% of you, the guys that do MINOR bolt ons, 330whp an under. Guys that have street cars that arent really pushing the car for an extended period of time.

    guys that are tracking their cars, and are making over that power level, i would suggest buying the $1200 intercooler because why cheap out if you are being competitive anyway.

    Its like the 240s. Sure you can go buy a $1500 FULL-RACE manifold with a GT28R and make good power. Or you can buy a $150 MEgan Racing Manifold and make the same power with the same turbo and have $1350 left over. Sure it might take another 3-4 psi to make the numbers the full race did, but hey, you saved an ass load of money.

    Goes back to my number 1 philosophy, how much money do you have, and what are your goals.
     
  47. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

    Well The Siegel proved his point yesterday. During my tune my gains were minimilized becuase the Ebay TMIC caused Scott to have to pull out timing under boost (I think I got that right), thus loosing power, anyway I could have seen an additional 5-8 hp with the Sti TMIC, which luckily I still have! Anyone want to buy an e-bay tmic LOL!
    The best we could do is 281 whp a gain of 15. It was tuned with prodrive 3way solenoid, E-bay TMIC and HKS HP cat back. Wow does it sound good now.
     
  48. Kokopelli

    Kokopelli Active Member

    You have a 16g. How much power were you expecting?

    I only gained 15 going from a wrx tmic to a hyperflow tmic on my 2.0l with a vf 34.
     
  49. crashtke

    crashtke Member Supporting Member

    Wellllll if you threw the Sti intercooler on right then and there and made 5-8 more hp then we all would have known for sure! As it stands it will be on different days, humidity and temperature.
     
  50. WRXCoupe

    WRXCoupe Active Member

    Yea if Scott is willing to do it I'll swap tmics and do a pull or two to see if he can hold or advance timing with the STi tmic. 5-8 hp is pretty much the five and dime store of hp but I'm in it for the scientific aspect of the age old e-bay tmic controversy. Believe me I'm not sweating 5hp and I know this 2.0 is starting to hit the wall w/o meth. I would love to hit 300 whp w/o meth just to do it. I know the 2.5 has the torque but I love the underdog in the 2.0, it is a kick-ass little engine:)
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2008

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