I'm looking at buying a hrc stage 2 in the near future and am wondering the advantages/disadvantages of the 2 (besides price). I figure there are more disadvantages to a smic vs a fmic but I'm just wondering how much of them there are. Thanks

And God said..."Let there be light!"
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Matt
95 GS

there isn't really "disadvantages" to a side mount intercooler. just advantages to a front mount. any intercooler is a clear benefit. it basically just depends on what you plan to do w/your car. if you want to eventually run some really high boost pressures then it would be best to get the front mount. but a side mount can suffice for quite a bit of HP. a shop here in WA that was going to build me a custom turbo (Turbo Technologies...extremely knowledgable shop, forced induction EXPERTS) wanted to put just a side mount on my car. they said this would be fine as long as i wasn't trying to boost to over 300hp or anything. most just go with the front mount for the intimidation, "it's mean". i do have to say that my front mount definitely gets second glances. good luck!

Thats about what I figured... One other thing I was wondering about this is will the side mount keep your engine a bit cooler since it doesnt block any airflow to the radiator? That seems to me like that would make a difference, but I could be wrong. But then again, I suppose the cooler air being sent from that larger intercooler in the front into the tb would probably compensate for that. Any other opinions aou there on this? Thanx for the input.

And God said..."Let there be light!"
And Man said..."Let there be 2gnt!!!"

AEM CAI
APEXi WS cat back
front upper strut bar
rear upper strut bar
Some dash trim (lame I know, I know...)
One Crazy sound system

Matt
95 GS

ive heard of FMICs blockig ariflow. i thought that the HRC side mount was good up to 400HP

Well I have my little coldair filter on mine so I don't have room for a side mount, well maybe. A Front mount seems like it'll stay in place better. So if ya don't room on the sides use the front. It does block flow to the radiator if yours is really big, you need to have some kind of wind deflector.


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My FMIC covers my whole front bumper opening, but my temps stay the same as they used to without it. Maby a little warmer when I'm in a high boost run, but I dont think that has to do w/ the radiator not getting enough air. BTW, I have good news to report, remember when I was gonna run both fans together to run simotaneously? Well, I did it a few weeks ago and it seems to cut the fans cycle about in half... Coming off of a high boost run the fans cool everything off a lot quicker.
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Brad
98 T-GS

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the 2nd fan for another device on the motor (a/c unit or something). If thats true, then did you hook them up so that they both go off when the temp is high and they both go off when that other device needs it??? Just curious how you did it so that I could possibly copy you ;). Thanks

And God said..."Let there be light!"
And Man said..."Let there be 2gnt!!!"

AEM CAI
APEXi WS cat back
front upper strut bar
rear upper strut bar
Some dash trim (lame I know, I know...)
One Crazy sound system

Matt
95 GS

Yes, the fan on the left is for the AC, but I never use my AC because its a power robber.... I just ran 2 wires from the right plug to the left plug and cut the wires on the left plug... Hard to explain but if you want pics, I'll take some tomorrow and show you what I mean.
--
Brad

P.S. take your battery cables off of course... or you'll blow the fuse.

ok, thats what I figured you did. It would be nice if there was a way to use both fans for your engine temp and still be able to use the left when the a/c needs it. I don't know if this is possible but if anyone out there has done it, please fill us in.

And God said..."Let there be light!"
And Man said..."Let there be 2gnt!!!"

AEM CAI
APEXi WS cat back
front upper strut bar
rear upper strut bar
Some dash trim (lame I know, I know...)
One Crazy sound system

Matt
95 GS

fmic is MEAN!!! :) looks awesome...trust me hehehe

>ok, thats what I figured you
>did. It would be
>nice if there was a
>way to use both fans
>for your engine temp and
>still be able to use
>the left when the a/c
>needs it. I don't
>know if this is possible
>but if anyone out there
>has done it, please fill
>us in.

It should be possable. I bet if you hooked up a switch to the a/c fan (left one) you could just flip the switch on and supply the fan with power, thus is would turn on. Cause I bet all the relay for the a/c fan dose it start and stop the power flow to the fan. You could even put a small fuse (10 amp) on the power switch wire that connects at the a/c fan, just incase you have it turned on and the a/c fan relay also wants to send power to it. That way if there is too much power from both of the switch all it will do is pop you switch fuse.
I think I'll try this pertty soon since it's getting hotter.

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"Thats not an FMIC, it's um... my alum radiator"

Cool idea, I think I will probably try that too down the road. If you're successfull, drop me a line and tell me how it went. If I do it first I'll let you know also. I wonder if there's a way to get it to just turn on when the a/c is turned on without a physical switch though... hmmmm something to think about...

And God said..."Let there be light!"
And Man said..."Let there be 2gnt!!!"

AEM CAI
APEXi WS cat back
front upper strut bar
rear upper strut bar
Some dash trim (lame I know, I know...)
One Crazy sound system

Matt
95 GS

>ok, thats what I figured you
>did. It would be
>nice if there was a
>way to use both fans
>for your engine temp and
>still be able to use
>the left when the a/c
>needs it. I don't
>know if this is possible
>but if anyone out there
>has done it, please fill
>us in.
>

There is a way. You would need a few inline resistors. If you put the resistors on the connection between the 2 fans so that power flows from the radiator fan to the A/C fan but not the other way. You would also have to put resistors in the power line going to the A/C Fan. This is just to prevent any damage to the electrical System. I did it for a friend. I know it works. Set up like this when the radiator fan comes on both fans come on. But when the A/C is on, The resistors prevent electricity from flowing to the radiator fan.

You can get everything you need from radio shack. You will have to put approx. 2 to 3 resistors in line to reduce the current flow.