So I've been reading my *** off about this car and it has become like crack to me, i eat, drink, {poop}, and even dream of this damn car all day and night. I have been reading up on every little tidbit of information that I can lay my hand on, but this question comes out of curiosity from another post below this one. The TT motor comes w/ stock LH and RH intercoolers, but when upgrading to a larger core FMIC, it replaces both of these two smaller intercoolers right? I mean there is no need for double the intercoolers, one for each side? (Feel pretty noobish asking this cause I already know the answer)

Also, I've developed a lengthy list of parts and such I have read are necessary to do a swap. Yea i said it too, i'm goin for a swap , I know that everyone says to look at Rizz's writeups about the subjects but looking at that and deeper I have gotten information on so much more. What i'm wondering is if someone who has done the swap and knows could look over my list and either correct it or add on additional things that I may have missed. This would greatly help me out and if its pretty complete and accurate I think it would help to put it up somewhere on here to give a sort of a necessity shopping list for doing a swap through and through.

If anyone is willing to look at this list and kinda point me in a straighter direction I’d be very appreciative, I guess just PM me and I’ll send it your way.

 

Oh yea, i'm not planning on just purchasing an engine and trying to throw it in myself. I'm sure I could pull it off with enough time, but it needs to get done quickly. I'm planning on buying a clip from an importer in town here in Reno of all places called Japanese Motors. The owner gave me a price quote of $2500 shipped, i didn't ask him about customs fees if there are any, but I thought that was a good price, what do you guys think?

I'm also talking to my friend at a shop here in town name R&T Performance and I should be able to get it dumped in for a pretty good price since i'm frinds with half the shop. If I cant get some sort of discount though I'm hoping to spend around 2-3K for the install alone w/o my involvment. I havent gotten any price quotes on the labor but is this about the right range I should be expecting you think?

 

Good your goin with the front clip. Thats one mistake i made, i'm not sayin that i know the entire list but i might know most of the parts needed to do the swap since i'm in the middle of it right now. So i guess private message me and i will see what u need.

 

Just post your list on here and all of us will help.

Unless you plan on going with monster turbos, I'd stick with the dual IC setup. 2 turbos, 2 IC's, 2 TB's. It works better. Plus, the FMIC limits the cold air flow through your oil cooler, AC condenser and radiator. Many people have had problems with overheating when they install an FMIC. You almost have to upgrade your radiator and relocate your air intakes.

 

There are pros and cons to having an FMIC. I wouldn't reccommend you going to an FMIC if your running a stock turbo or a stage I or II turbo kit. I would however think about using an FMIC with turbos that flow a lot of CFM.

No imperical evidence has shown that FMICs cause Zs to overheat...many upgrade their radiators regardless due to the fact that VGs run on the hot side anyways. Many who do end up running an FMIC relocate the oil cooler to the side which gets just as much air as it did in the front. As far as the intakes, not much is blocked, air still gets through and doesn't have any other adverse affect on HP. Then again if your running an FMIC your turbos are going to be creating that intake of air a lot more and faster than a stock size turbo.

It really depends on your modifications, budget, and plans on whether you want or need to go to an FMIC. I'd say that most should stick with SMICs as many don't upgrade to turbos any larger than a JWT 500-530. There are some that have bigger turbos but the majority of many individuals that run upgraded turbos have a "next step" up turbo upgrade.

 

Cool posts guys, thanks for the help. I would post my list on here but its a spreadsheet and it'd be easier to just send the file, but first I want to revise it now that i know that.

SHWAZ: I'll send you the list in the next day or two, after I revise it.

Thanks for the help

 

Send it to me when you're ready.

 

I'll help if I can. I swapped with a FMIC and made some custom pipes for the install. I positioned oil cooler and radiator and FMIC so the all can breathe. No overheating or probs and have done well for over a year.