Sleeper INC.
06-14-2009, 10:25 PM
With summer approaching/here (it’s been raining in LA, go figure) I finally got around to installing an Evolution Racewerks FMIC and wanted to share my thoughts on it. I ended up choosing an ER Fmic based on both past experiences with ER’s b5 dual smic, good reviews from the b6 comp fmic and a comprehensive review of all the products available for the b7. Let me add that I wanted something with a large core that would perform as I do have bigger plans in the future.
My initial impression of the fmic is the thing is huge, shiny and very well built. The welds on the core are very well done, look just like a roll of coins as they should. All the piping is very smoothly bent and there are no welds on individual pipes as I have seen with some other fmic kits. The couplers are very thick and the clamps are t-bolt style which are both strong and look much better then the normal worm clamps. This kit also included a power steering cooler relocation kit, so no bending involved.
Now for some pictures
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/sleeperinc/fmic/IMG_0691.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/sleeperinc/fmic/IMG_0695.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/sleeperinc/fmic/IMG_0697.jpg
The installation was really smooth and everthing that I needed was right in the box; it felt almost as if it was OEM fitment and instructions were pretty much dead on. No cutting or modification of the bumper or the chassis was needed the only real change was the relocation of the power steering cooler. Before everyone goes ballistic, no I do not have my crash bar currently on the car. It however is marked for modification; I just need to find the time to do so. So yes this kit can be used with the crash bar, it just need some small adjustments be made. I just didn’t have the time to do so during the original installation and will find time eventually. Just remember sometimes for true performance you have to make sacrifices and this is one I was willing to make.
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/sleeperinc/fmic/IMG_0701.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/sleeperinc/fmic/IMG_0703.jpg
As for performance once installed, I was very impressed with the results. No matter what the temperature (only been high 70’s of late) is outside the car always feels like it does on a cool crisp night in the 50’s. The car is so consistent now it makes me wonder why I waited so long to get one of these (3 years). Boost levels have not suffered and there isn’t any delay in boost, which was concern with such a large core and the k03. In all honesty the car feels like it runs better now, much smoother all across the power band. I hope to post some logs of the fmic, so we can see what it’s really doing but for now its just seat of the pants feel. All in all I’m extremely pleased with my purchase and honestly would not hesitate to purchase this product again.
I am not affiliated with Evolution Racewerks in anyway, shape or form but would like to thank Fred and all the guys at ER for the great product. If I have any more needs during my build up I defiantly will check to see if ER has any solutions for me.
If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask away, ill answer them to the best of my ability.
One last picture with the bumper on
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/sleeperinc/fmic/IMG_0711.jpg
My initial impression of the fmic is the thing is huge, shiny and very well built. The welds on the core are very well done, look just like a roll of coins as they should. All the piping is very smoothly bent and there are no welds on individual pipes as I have seen with some other fmic kits. The couplers are very thick and the clamps are t-bolt style which are both strong and look much better then the normal worm clamps. This kit also included a power steering cooler relocation kit, so no bending involved.
Now for some pictures
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/sleeperinc/fmic/IMG_0691.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/sleeperinc/fmic/IMG_0695.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/sleeperinc/fmic/IMG_0697.jpg
The installation was really smooth and everthing that I needed was right in the box; it felt almost as if it was OEM fitment and instructions were pretty much dead on. No cutting or modification of the bumper or the chassis was needed the only real change was the relocation of the power steering cooler. Before everyone goes ballistic, no I do not have my crash bar currently on the car. It however is marked for modification; I just need to find the time to do so. So yes this kit can be used with the crash bar, it just need some small adjustments be made. I just didn’t have the time to do so during the original installation and will find time eventually. Just remember sometimes for true performance you have to make sacrifices and this is one I was willing to make.
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/sleeperinc/fmic/IMG_0701.jpg
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/sleeperinc/fmic/IMG_0703.jpg
As for performance once installed, I was very impressed with the results. No matter what the temperature (only been high 70’s of late) is outside the car always feels like it does on a cool crisp night in the 50’s. The car is so consistent now it makes me wonder why I waited so long to get one of these (3 years). Boost levels have not suffered and there isn’t any delay in boost, which was concern with such a large core and the k03. In all honesty the car feels like it runs better now, much smoother all across the power band. I hope to post some logs of the fmic, so we can see what it’s really doing but for now its just seat of the pants feel. All in all I’m extremely pleased with my purchase and honestly would not hesitate to purchase this product again.
I am not affiliated with Evolution Racewerks in anyway, shape or form but would like to thank Fred and all the guys at ER for the great product. If I have any more needs during my build up I defiantly will check to see if ER has any solutions for me.
If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask away, ill answer them to the best of my ability.
One last picture with the bumper on
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/sleeperinc/fmic/IMG_0711.jpg