Upgraded FMIC Reduce Lag?

[cmuro]

I have searched but unable to find anything concrete stating an upgraded FMIC will reduce lag as a result of better airflow. I know it lowers intake temps and helps with a tuned car to hold more boost but on a stock car with a higher flow intake, charge pipe and PPK1 will an FMIC help airflow thus reducing lag?

[135Hoser]

I just installed a HPF intercooler on my N54 and didn't notice an appreciable increase or decrease in turbo lag.

[bogart]

The only thing a larger/more efficient FMIC does is cool the air down more going from the turbo into the charge pipe/throttle body/intake manifold/cylinders. A better flowing CAI will slow turbo speeds, essentially increasing the life of the turbo. A down pipe will reduce lag and you will feel this in the throttle.

[HebbNH]

I didn't notice anything when I upgraded my FMIC other than cooler intake air temps. It's pretty well established that downpipes will make the biggest difference in turbo spool-up and power. Not that there's really any lag to begin with on an engine that makes peak torque @ 1500 rpm.

[eric@helix]

Originally Posted by bogart

The only thing a larger/more efficient FMIC does is cool the air down more going from the turbo into the charge pipe/throttle body/intake manifold/cylinders. A better flowing CAI will slow turbo speeds, essentially increasing the life of the turbo. A down pipe will reduce lag and you will feel this in the throttle.

A good intercooler can reduce pressure drop at high boost.

[cmuro]

Was hoping that the better airflow and less turbulence would help keep the turbos spooled. Don't want to do DP because of the raspy noise and the emissions issue making me have to swap every year to pass inspection.

I guess an upgraded FMIC only benefit is lower intake temps which in a DD isn't going to make much difference, seems to only be a beneficial for a car that sees the track frequently.

[John Dempsey]

Originally Posted by cmuro

Was hoping that the better airflow and less turbulence would help keep the turbos spooled. Don't want to do DP because of the raspy noise and the emissions issue making me have to swap every year to pass inspection.

I guess an upgraded FMIC only benefit is lower intake temps which in a DD isn't going to make much difference, seems to only be a beneficial for a car that sees the track frequently.

I noticed a small difference doing a new fmic and charge pipe and the piping in between from ER.

[mdputnam]

A short story in fluid dynamics. Take a 1/2 inch diameter garden hose attach it to the water spigot, turn on the water. In the middle of the hose fold it over and pinch off the flow. Look at the water dribbling out of the end. Now take a 3/4 inch garden hose and do the same. Even though you have increased the flow area by 125% you will see pretty much the same amount of water dribbling out the end. Moral of the story, the intercooler is not the pinched part of the intake system.

[cmuro]

To me it seems there is no real benefit to an upgraded FMIC unless one tracks the car often to minimize heat soak. I want to put one on but it just doesn't seem worth it for a non tracked car. Do the lower IAT provide any sort of feedback to the driver?

[RnmEvo9]

Yes, especially back to back pulls. With summer quickly approaching, you will definitely experience heat soak issues with a tune alone. An upgraded FMIC is must have especially if you live in an area that can get hot!

As for lag, this car definitely doesn't have any. I came from a car that didn't hit full boost until 3k rpms and this is lag free for me. When I added my FMIC, I did not get any more or less lag than before because there practically isn't any!