View Full Version : TMIC is HOT
shadow1
05-08-2007, 10:58 PM
I was working under the hood. I just got home from work and 55-60 mph speeds. I was surprised at how hot the TMIC gets. It gets scalding hot. I burned my finger! That is serious heat soak. TMIC really suck. The CX7 really needs a FMIC to get the IC out of the engine bay. A larger IC like the ETS TMIC probably will help some but eventually even the larger ETS piece is gonna get heat soaked under the hood.
Raider
05-08-2007, 11:38 PM
Our ETS TMIC was cold to the touch after some freeway driving. We stopped, popped the hood, and I placed my hand right on it. We have had speed3s where I experienced it firsthand as well. he even dyno'd it 3 pulled consecutively with it still remaining cold to the touch. The FMIC I have seen elsewhere looks like way too much tubing and a possible turbo lag issue due to the extensive length and bend of all the tubing.
shadow1
05-09-2007, 07:20 AM
The ETS IC must dissipate heat a lot better than the stock IC. I seriously had driven the CX7 15 min from work to home. Average speed around 45, max 65. And I burnt my fingertip on the TMIC. What a POS!
Raider
05-09-2007, 07:23 AM
I totally agree. I was all for a FMIC, until I was convcinced of the alternative, and it works. Got it on the CX-7 and love it!
Copper Red CX
05-09-2007, 09:11 AM
I will have to check how hot the stock one gets on my speed 6? One on of the things I don't like about the one on the CX is that the fins for the TMIC are all covered by that engine cover and air duct. I think that may be causing more heat soak. At least on the speed 6 some of the fins are exposed on the TMIC even though it still has that plastic surround on it. It will be interesting for comparison sake.
Raider
05-09-2007, 09:22 AM
I knew a guy with a Speed6, same heat issues, until the TMIC. He has the 3.5" beast on it, too.
shadow1
05-09-2007, 09:29 AM
The plastic cover on the CX7 is necessary. It is the air duct for the TMIC. If you look, it directs the air from the front grill into the TMIC. Too bad Mazda didn't use some sort of external hood vent like Subaru. Guess it would have messed up the smooth hood styling. Not sure how air is ducted on the MS6.
Raider
05-09-2007, 11:13 AM
The cover on the speed3 and speed6 are similiar, they are merely debris protectors. All I have gotten on mine is bugs, leaves, and a couple pieces of small gravel from the friggin redneck trucks.
Our CX-7 has the plastic ductwork covering it, do not get me wrong. I got a polished intercooler that cannot be seen except at shows. We really want a CF hood with the ductwork We no longer have the debris guard, as it will not fit the massive ETS intercooler. All we have found has been bugs and leaves in it. No fin damage though, that is the main thing.
Copper Red CX
05-09-2007, 03:16 PM
The plastic cover on the CX7 is necessary. It is the air duct for the TMIC. If you look, it directs the air from the front grill into the TMIC. Too bad Mazda didn't use some sort of external hood vent like Subaru. Guess it would have messed up the smooth hood styling. Not sure how air is ducted on the MS6.
Oh I know, the plastic covering on the CX TMIC is functional as an air duct. I just think it is also functional as insulation to keep the heat in the TMIC. I am SO glad that Mazda didn't do what Subaru does with the "scoop". Every time I see one of those things I get tempted to write "US-Mail" on them, or slide my mail in there. I think it looks WAY to racer boy for me. TMIC will never stay as cool as FMIC, but the pluming for FMIC causes you to get some serious lag, so pick your poison. The thought of replacing the stock unit on the Speed 6 is very tempting to ring more power out of the engine, but more power is probably something I need like a hole in the head. Me with my Speed 6 is kind of like a monkee with a grenade......:)
Raider
05-09-2007, 03:28 PM
Well, we have a 3" TMIC by ETS on the CX-7, along with the CAI. I know of only 1 other person here who had just ordered his. ETS claims 20hp, CPE claims about 20 on their CAI. I am not sure who well they work together, but we feel it. Plus, no less than 20 mpg FWD. Got 23 recently in a heavy traffic driving tank. And yes, she drives it with a heavy foot.
Bigger than stock intercoolers just plain work better, Front or Top Mount.
shadow1
05-09-2007, 03:34 PM
Turbo lag and FMIC is way overrated. Yes there is more plumbing. But the cooling efficiency of a FMIC far outweighs a 100-200 rpm of lag. My Evo would not make the kind of power it does out 2.0 liters and 22 psi w/o a FMIC. In addition a properly sized FMIC should have minimal lag compared to the stock TMIC. Personally, if a good TMIC like the ETS truly remains cooler than the heat soaked stock TMIC than I'm all for it over a FMIC since it will be cheaper and easier to install. The only FMIC on a CX7 that I've seen is posted on Mazda247.com. That owner had to cut the bumper and remove the foglights to accommodate the IC plumbing.
Raider
05-09-2007, 03:39 PM
If I get the chance, I will try to take a video of our CX 7 driving, parking, getting out, popping the hood, and slapping my hand on the ETS TMIC. It is cold. Hopefully when I video it, too!
AWmustang
05-09-2007, 05:03 PM
I will have to check how hot the stock one gets on my speed 6? One on of the things I don't like about the one on the CX is that the fins for the TMIC are all covered by that engine cover and air duct. I think that may be causing more heat soak. At least on the speed 6 some of the fins are exposed on the TMIC even though it still has that plastic surround on it. It will be interesting for comparison sake.
The speed6 has the same covering as the cx-7, it's just stuck to the hood so that you can show off you inter cooler.
With the hood closed the speed6 is functionally identical to the cx-7.
Raider
05-09-2007, 05:06 PM
I know about the ducting, I want to see if I can get my Speed3 ductwork top function in the CX-7, and do away with the god awful cover. All when I have free time, of course.
Copper Red CX
05-10-2007, 08:37 AM
The speed6 has the same covering as the cx-7, it's just stuck to the hood so that you can show off you inter cooler.
With the hood closed the speed6 is functionally identical to the cx-7.
Not exactly the same covering or duct work, but yes, I do see what you are saying. It is fully covered during use in all cases.
Raider
05-10-2007, 08:53 PM
Exactly. I want to see if the Speed3 ducting will attach to the CX-7 hood, and not look ghetto. It is all a matter of having the time.
i'am thinkin of gettin one what size core should i get 3.25 or 3.5 core which has more HP gain and better for the tubro
Raider
05-13-2007, 07:00 PM
The CX-7's intercooler is 3". That is the size that fit best, so that is what is available. We got it polished, hoping one day for an alternative to the fugly cover.
The TMIC is on sale right now, too!
http://www.mcx7.com/showthread.php?t=729
yea i looked at the 3" TMIC that kool and i like it but what the HP gain on that. And did you know that the ETS Top Mount Intercooler for Mazdaspeed 3 / 6 which comes in 3.25 and 3.5 core fits the cx-7 and gaves Dyno proven gains of 20 horsepower and 20 ft-lbs. of torque on a stock vehicle with no other mods.
http://www.therpmstore.com/product_info.php?products_id=405&osCsid=36180737a235198eca9df7ff399c47be
Raider
05-14-2007, 11:20 PM
I would have concerns about the cover fitting flush with a thicker intercooler. i know there has been 20 hp gains, and we felt it as soon as it was installed, and even more with dyno proven CPE CAI installation, too.
As for the the larger ones fitting, the link you posted states speed3 and 6, not cx-7. In fact, I do not even see the TMIC for CX-7 listed.
For giggles, when my 3.5" TMIC arrives for my speed3, we will test fit it on the CX-7, as we have new intercooler hoses to install on both cars anyway.
thanks and let me know if it fit's cause i was tryin to get a TMIC somtime during summer
rexercx7
05-16-2007, 01:30 AM
I'm going to have the same mods as Raider on my CX-7 within a week or two, depending on shipping and when it all gets here, so I'll be able to tell you a 2nd impression of the ETS 3" TMIC and CPE CAI systems together with an improved BOV system. And as soon as Corksport.com gets their exhaust system ready for retail/prime time I'll install their axle-back system and add that to the mix...I'm not planning on an after-market downpipe/catback system because here in California that just won't fly with our CARB Smog Checks every 2 years. I'm not gonna be removing everything for a test, then reinstalling it and be illegal. I plan on mods that will pass the bi-annual smog test installed, not removed!:rolleyes:
My mechanic and I both think that the CAI and TMIC mods with a mild exhaust upgrade will make the CX-7 run cleaner than the OEM system does stock...anyway, we'll see about that when 2009 rolls round and I've still got my CX-7 modded with those options on it. Who knows *what* we'll all be running by then anyway? Could be a totally different package, or an ECU mod that really opens up the system for huge horsepower/torque gains.
Who knows what will happen by 2009? Not me, that's certain!:D
Kindest regards,
rexercx7:cool:
vBulletin® v3.7.4, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.