FMIC or no FMIC?

I am finally getting serious about my car so I would like a few thoughts on adding a FMIC right now, or waiting. I have a '99 eclipse GSX with a few slight mods to it: evo III 16g turbo, ACT 2600 clutch, blow off valve, exhaust, little things like that. I just bought 550 cc injectors that will go on it along with a new fuel pump and an SAFC.

So here is my real questions, do I really need an FMIC right away? I would eventually like to make about 300 but I know with the few mods I have with out a core I will not make that on pump. I have all the piping for a FMIC I just need the core, however, I do not have the money right now for one and realistically I probable would not have the money until next spring. If I don't get a core all I need to buy is a fuel pump and then I can tune, so potentially it could be ready to tune in a few short weeks.

So my questions are how much would people guess I can make with and with out the FMIC and if I would be better off waiting to tune until next spring or if I should tune now and at least have a little fun with the car. I am getting the itch to do something to it now, but it people really think tuning with out a core is a waist and I' better off waiting until it can add it all at once I will. I know I ill eventually add a core because then I can run more boost and add a few more mods, I just can’t decide if its worth tuning now or not.

[Swifty1638]

Can you fix your post so it makes sense? That last paragraph lost me. You drunk at work? WTF is an FAFC?

-A. Swift

[92EvilTalon]

Well the stock side mount will be fine. Just have to watch out for heat soaking it. Maybe do some duck work to fix that problem until you get the FMIC. You do have head studs right? If not think about saving for them too. Its a easy install.

[Swifty1638]

lol, didn't I mention that? Man, it's like SOMETIMES, I know what I'm talking about dear!

-A. Swift

[sleepydsm]

fmic looks hot, cleans up the engine bay, and is a needed supporting mod for the future. just get max out a credit card or too, and get all the stuff you want, or feel need.

[clean2g]

All I have to say is, evo 8 fmic ftw!

[HiImBrian]

Get a fmic, you will love your car so much more when you do. Then just take it easy for a while and tune with that. What's the point of tuning a million times? you spend more money that way.

[JET]

If you have the piping you can get one of the decent Ebay cores for cheap. It would work for now and you can replace it with a better core later.

[Enes]

Honestly, if you are going to get a FMIC spend the few extra $$ and get the better one right away.

You will love your car once you get a FMIC... http://www.enesg.com/gallery/v/Cars/Eclipse/FMIC/



-E

[Enes]

Not that i made a right choice of a FMIC

[SBR_240sx]

If your looking for mild power about 350 or less the Ebay FMIC kits are fine. If you want more power you need to go with a better FMIC.

[gofastman]

For the love of god get some t bolt clamps with the intercooler if you plan on doing some moderate boosting (17 psi+)

[Halon]

MAP just ran a 9 on an ebay core

[scheides]

IMHO a 2G isn't a 2G w/o a FMIC. Just looks empty w/o one. The DAY I bought my 2G Eclipse I called up buschur and ordered their 2G FMIC kit. I loved it! I'd say something is better than nothing. An ebay core may be fine for your power level, but don't be surprised if your power is low later on. You could probably make good power on the stock SMIC, but it will heatsoak if you hit the gas several times in a row.

I say just put in the stuff you got (fuel and tuning stuff) and get it tuned. That way you know its safe. Do a bunch of runs on the dyno & heatsoak it, see if it starts to knock or if a heatsoaked SMIC just hurts your power. Get the FMIC later when you have more $$. If it were me, I'd just get it all done at once (and do it now!) and just rock the solid setup for a while. No need to half-ass anything, it will only hurt you in the end.

I really want a FMIC and I know I will eventually get one (the car will look so much better with one as well) but I also have wanted the car tuned since before I even got it. It has never even been on a dyno so I’m scared it will blow on the first pull. I just need money for the core; I am still paying off my car and my credit card and need to put some money into school as well. I guess I will just have to sit and look at my car parts for a while before I can do anything unless I find a cheep core some where. I don’t want something shitty that is just going to break but I also don’t have a lot of money to do anything right now.

[Hoffer00]

If you can what I think there will be a dyno day at the end of this season.
There usually is.

[crazy_skier]

well I would reccomend it since you can run better boost and cooler engine temps which is all good, but if you have to wait I would say tune the car to around 16-17 which should be safe on the factory sidemount if you drive like me and only get on it on occasion, but if your boosting all day I would say 14-15 to lower the heatsoak.