IAMSAM

When installing a K04...is the FMIC (or any supplemental IC) really necessary for a basic day to day highway commute? With an occasional "blip" of the throttle? Like the idea of the FMIC but at the same time like the under-hood stealth-ness of a K04 upgrade alone. Most of the time my tip is in auto mode and I'm just cruising, my engine rarely sees red-line, but I'd at the same time I'd like to know the power is there if called upon.

MTM III

Had a K04 for over 40,000 mile w/ no extra intercooler . . .all is well!

Clark@turbo5.com

You can run a Ko4 without the FMIC. I did it for many miles. The FMIC is the key to unlocking the potential power. Its a 20hp improvment imediatly. Not only that but you keep that power ALL the time.

Consider that once you have ran your car hard for even 5 minutes the stock IC is hot. Power can be down by 30hp. You will never heat soak Our FMIC.


Clark<ul><li><a href="http://www.turbo5.com">http://www.turbo5.com</a</li></ul>

A4agarwal

and not losing power when the stock cooler gets hot, are there any other advantages to adding a FMIC?

Specifically, will not adding one have any adverse effects on the turbo, engine or tranny?

Dan@Turbo5.com

I still run the K04 w/ no FMIC on my car and have for 20,000+ miles. I am however installing our kit on Monday.

The intercooler does a number of things:
-more hp/tq
-better throttle response
-more reliability (replaces flexible stock hoses w/ mandrel bent piping and high-quality samco hoses - no chance that you could ever run into a problem with boost leak)
- power all the time, even if your foot is it consistantly (track, spirited driving)

As clark says the FMIC is not neccesary, but it is an upgrade which allows the full potential of the K04 (or K03, GT25, etc) to reach its full potential with constant reliable HP.

apex

I will also never be able to afford your FMIC. But I can dream.