FMIC (Front Mount Intercooler) STi/WRX FAQ

Pressure Drop

Pressure drop can change based on manufacturer’s testing levels. Generally speaking, the higher the turbo PSI, the higher the pressure drop. Manufacturers often quote the lowest testing levels and often times do not quote their test data. This means you cannot compare intercooler A VS. intercooler B.

APS: 1.3 psi (500) 0.5 (650) 1.0 (725) (these figure vary with turbo PSI)
ARC: Unknown PSI
AVO: >1 PSI
Blitz: .05kg/cm2 at 1.2kg/cm2 of boost
CSS: 1 PSI at 18 PSI
Cosworth: Unknown PSI
GReddy: Unknown PSI
HKS: Unknown PSI
Hyperflow: Unknown PSI
Injen: .07 PSI
OBX: Unknown PSI
P&L Motorsports: Unknown PSI
Perrin: 1/4 PSI at 20 PSI
Process West: Unkown PSI
MRT: Unknown PSI
TurboXS: Unknown PSI
WBR: Unknown PSI
XO2 Racing: Unknown PSI

Core Construction

APS: tube and fin (500), bar and plate (650), bar and plate (750), bar and plate (525)
ARC: tube and fin
AVO: bar and plate
Blitz: tube and fin
CSS: bar and plate
Cosworth: bar and plate
GReddy: tube and fin
HKS: tube and fin (est.)
Hyperflow: bar and plate
Injen: bar and plate
OBX: tube and fin (est.)
P&L Motorsports: bar and plate
Perrin: bar and plate
Process West: bar and plate (est.)
MRT: bar and plate
TurboXS: bar and plate
WBR: bar and plate (est.)
XO2 Racing: bar and plate (est.)

Physical size

APS: 9.5″ x 33.5″ x 2.5″ (500), 9.5″ x 28″ x 4.5″ (650) 9.5″ x 28 x 4.5″ (725) 3 1/4″ x 9 3/8″ x 33 1/2″ (525)
ARC: 9.5″ x 22.5″ x 3″
AVO: 8.8″ x 23.5″ x 3.5″
Blitz: 10.5″ x 24″ x 2.7″
CSS: 9″ x 29″ x 3.7″
Cosworth: 18″ x 12.1″ x 3″ (08/09 model)
GReddy: 9.6″ x 23.6″ x 3″ (based on metric conversion)
HKS: 9.6″ x 23.6″ x 2.5″ (based on metric conversion)
Hyperflow: 9.4″ x 26.3″ x 3.5″ (based on metric conversion) or 10” x 30” x 4.5” (Monster version)
Injen: 6.25″ x 23.5″ x 3″
OBX: 9″ x 20″ 2.5″
P&L Motorsports: 10″ x 25″ x 3.25″
Perrin: 9″ x 28″ x 3.6″
Process West: 9.25″ x 25″ x 3.5″ (based on metric conversion)
MRT: 8″ x 28″ x 4″
TurboXS: 9.5″ x 29.5 x 3.5″ (02-07 model) 9.5″ x 25.5″ x 3.5″ (08/09 model)
WBR: 9″ x 30″ x 3″
XO2 Racing: 9″ x 24″ x 3″ or 12″ x 24″ x 3″

Do I need engine management/tuning with a FMIC? Yes. Since all FMICs use an intake of some kind, you will need tuning and engine management to ensure safety and performance from your new FMIC.