FM turbo Protegé install pictures
September-3rd-2002, 04:13 PM
#18
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Palm Bay, FL
Posts: 163
Keith@FM
Just checked out your webpage and the great work you guys are doing with the turbo kit for the P5
I am however, curious, why did you guys opt to put a small intercooler vertical instead of a larger intercooler across the bottom section as is common in most aftermarket intercoolers? I mean, I understand many people are concerned about cooling the radiator, but it seems to me, that even with the lower opening in the fascia blocked by an IC, there is still quite a bit of radiator exposed in the upper opening.....
Just checked out your webpage and the great work you guys are doing with the turbo kit for the P5
I am however, curious, why did you guys opt to put a small intercooler vertical instead of a larger intercooler across the bottom section as is common in most aftermarket intercoolers? I mean, I understand many people are concerned about cooling the radiator, but it seems to me, that even with the lower opening in the fascia blocked by an IC, there is still quite a bit of radiator exposed in the upper opening.....
September-3rd-2002, 05:27 PM
#19
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Posts: 71
The intercooler design was done by Corky Bell, who literally wrote the book on turbocharging. I haven't talked to him about his reasoning, but here are some thoughts.
- ideally, you want the air flow to go across the short end of the intercooler. A wide intercooler with end tanks at the sides will be less effective than one with end tanks at the top and bottom. This blocks a lot of rad surface area. The current IC design is meant to be more efficient.
- there's no need to molest the PS lines.
- less blockage of the radiator. Since the radiator is having to work harder due to the cooling needs of the turbo and the increased combustion temperatures, it's important to keep it clear.
- it's only an 8 psi kit. You don't need a huge IC.
That said, we're going to have IC in/out temperature probes in place soon. That will tell us if the current setup is sufficient or not. I suspect packaging played a fairly large role.
Keith
- ideally, you want the air flow to go across the short end of the intercooler. A wide intercooler with end tanks at the sides will be less effective than one with end tanks at the top and bottom. This blocks a lot of rad surface area. The current IC design is meant to be more efficient.
- there's no need to molest the PS lines.
- less blockage of the radiator. Since the radiator is having to work harder due to the cooling needs of the turbo and the increased combustion temperatures, it's important to keep it clear.
- it's only an 8 psi kit. You don't need a huge IC.
That said, we're going to have IC in/out temperature probes in place soon. That will tell us if the current setup is sufficient or not. I suspect packaging played a fairly large role.
Keith
September-3rd-2002, 11:25 PM
#20
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Houston, TX.
Posts: 1,141
Good question here is that I noticed you guys hanging the intercooler in pretty tight spot for the sedan guys. We don't have quite the large amount of air openings as the P5. Do you expect any fitment or performance problems with the sedans?
September-4th-2002, 02:14 AM
#21
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
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The intercooler has been installed on a few sedans. It'll fit. I don't have any hard numbers for the effectiveness with the lesser venting. Who wants to drop by and lend us a nose cone? 
Keith
Keith
September-5th-2002, 04:09 PM
#22
That's me!!
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 337
Geez! I already lent you my ECU and now you want a front end as well...Oh wait, mines the same.
I could always try to get an all day test drive out of a stock ES and bring over...Well, I might not be able to.
I can dream can't I?!?
I could always try to get an all day test drive out of a stock ES and bring over...Well, I might not be able to.
I can dream can't I?!?
September-5th-2002, 09:15 PM
#23
Protege Owner
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 720
Originally posted by Keith@FM
The intercooler has been installed on a few sedans. It'll fit. I don't have any hard numbers for the effectiveness with the lesser venting. Who wants to drop by and lend us a nose cone?
Keith
The intercooler has been installed on a few sedans. It'll fit. I don't have any hard numbers for the effectiveness with the lesser venting. Who wants to drop by and lend us a nose cone?
Keith
September-12th-2002, 11:59 AM
#27
Protege Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 7
Keith@FM...
Looks like you guys do great work. I saw on your website that you are listed as install shop as well :-) Once they are ready to go, how long would it take you to install a kit (and probably the exhaust upgrade too) and how much would you charge? Just curious... wouldn't mind taking a road trip out to Colorado, drop off my car at your shop, pick up a rental, drive around and relax for a few days, pick the car back up once it's done, and drive back to st. louis.
I saw that you were estimating the kit would cost around 3k to 3.5k. I was just curious how much the exhaust was that you tested in the dyno and how much you would charge to put it all in. btw i have a 2002.5 p5 :-)
Thanks,
Dale.
I saw that you were estimating the kit would cost around 3k to 3.5k. I was just curious how much the exhaust was that you tested in the dyno and how much you would charge to put it all in. btw i have a 2002.5 p5 :-)
Thanks,
Dale.
September-16th-2002, 10:44 AM
#28
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
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Sorry about the late reply - I was off in Moab with my old Land Rover.
Installation cost for the kit at FM should be around $900. We usually ask to have the car for a week so we can install it and tune it completely. All of our techs are liable to be pulled away to do phone support, so we can't work on the cars continously.
The exhaust we used is the Thermal P5 2.25" exhaust. It's $585, and we have them in stock now. Installation on that one should be around $65 - we don't have a set price for it yet as far as I know. Keep in mind that a turbo car will benefit more from a larger exhaust, and we are working on getting some of those made.
Keith
Installation cost for the kit at FM should be around $900. We usually ask to have the car for a week so we can install it and tune it completely. All of our techs are liable to be pulled away to do phone support, so we can't work on the cars continously.
The exhaust we used is the Thermal P5 2.25" exhaust. It's $585, and we have them in stock now. Installation on that one should be around $65 - we don't have a set price for it yet as far as I know. Keep in mind that a turbo car will benefit more from a larger exhaust, and we are working on getting some of those made.
Keith
September-29th-2002, 08:29 PM
#30
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Windsor, Nova Scotia Canada
Posts: 174
Just out of curiosity do you have any suggestions for a Canadian looking for turbo power? CO is a long way to go and then spend a week while you install the turbo.
I wish I was closer cause your product looks awesome!! I'm sure you would prefer to install the system yourself but do you have any eastern distributors or similar? If not do you know of any reputable shops out this way I coudl check out?
I'm not sure I would trust the install to my local mechanic and I know I don't have the knowledge for it.
Any help appreciated.
Dave
I wish I was closer cause your product looks awesome!! I'm sure you would prefer to install the system yourself but do you have any eastern distributors or similar? If not do you know of any reputable shops out this way I coudl check out?
I'm not sure I would trust the install to my local mechanic and I know I don't have the knowledge for it.
Any help appreciated.
Dave