How To: Install ETS 3" FMIC

[Sti THIS]

After a recent purchase from Extreme Turbo Systems, I decided to make a in depth How To on the install. Hope it helps some.

Disclamer: I am not responsible for any problems that arise or any damage caused. Use this How to as a guide line. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Advice: This is a simple install. But if you dont think you can do it, DONT, there is nothing wrong with having someone else put your new intercooler on.

On to the good stuff...

Install time: 2-3 hours, taking your time.

Things you will need:
Your new ETS front mount:


A large blaket to put your front bumper on, a jack, 2 jack stands, some semi flat spray paint (optional)


Basic socket set, a philips head screw driver, and a flat head screw driver, the pliers were not nessescary



Step 1:
Using the floor jack, put the car up on JACK STANDS.


Say good bye to your old FMIC:


Step 2:
Take out the 14 or so pop in clips where the splash guard is held to the front bumper. It is not nessescary to take off the entire splash guard just undo where it meets the bumper. (ignore the 2 red circled bolts, i used this pic twice)


Step 3:
In the wheel well take out the 2 push-ins that attach the wheel well to the bumper. (Repeat on both sides)


Step 4:
Take out the screw that holds the corner of the bumper to the corner of the fender


Step 5:
With a little pressure pull down on the bumper where you just took out that screw. There is a little white clip that will pull out and the bumper will seperate from the fender.

Step 6:
With the hood open take out the two bolts holding the bumper to the front rail. Take out the 3 push-ins also.


Step 7:
Take out these 2 bolts next to the intercooler mesh screen


Step 8:
Finagle the bumper off the car. BE CAREFUL. Having someone else lend a hand for support wont hurt. Lay the bumper on the blanket you have laid out and be careful not to scratch it.

Step 9:
Take off the bumper crash beam by removing these four bolts (two on each side)


Step 10:
Undo the 4 hose clamps to the I/C, and the 3 bolts holding on the I/C.


Step 11:
Remove the old FMIC

Step 12:
Do a little comparing. Old I/C to new I/C



Step 13:
Now I opted to paint the top bracket black similar to the Stock I/C. I think it makes everything look cleaner when the bumper is back on.


Step 14:
Get your new ETS FMIC and use the supplied hardware to install your new I/C. The spacer that is supplied goes between the hole and the bracket to push the I/C out a little. The 2 lower bolts on the I/C are replaced by the supplied hardware. The top nut is reused. Button up the new supplied couplers with the sexy T-bolts that were supplied


Step 15:
Reinstall the Bumper beam. Mitsu was nice enough to give us hangers to hang the crash bar on, while bolting it in.


Step 16:
Bolt the bumper beam back on, Dont over torque the bolts they are not that heavy duty, they can snap.

Step 17:
Reinstall front bumper. Again having a second set of hand doesnt hurt. While being cautious not to scratch the bumper, line everything up. It should just slide right on. Dont forget to pop those 2 white clips back into the fender. Intall all the push-ins and screws/bolts.

Step 18:
Reattach the splash guard to the bottom of the bumper. You should have a couple push-ins left over because where the splash guard attached to the bottom of the Stock I/C.

Step 19:
Admire, and/or take that thing for a ride.


Id like to thank Tom at ETS for this I/C. Everytime I sent him an Email he responded VERY quickly. He is one of the most professional people i have delt with. The intercooler is of very high quality and with the couplers and t-bolts that are included you absolutly cant beat the price.

Feel free to add and questions, comments, or something i should add.

Hope this helps!!

[alan678]

Nice....car looks good!

[Paul Nelson]

Nice write up Man makes me want to buy a car that i can daily drive

[Cali2MDevo8]

Originally Posted by ifarted2

Nice write up Man makes me want to buy a car that i can daily drive

You can if you go to the track daily

[Paul Nelson]

Originally Posted by Cali2MDevo8

You can if you go to the track daily

Man im not that big of a baller.

[Sti THIS]

thanks, it took me that much longer just to take pics and eveyrthing. I love the way this thing looks in the opening of the front bumper

[Cali2MDevo8]

Originally Posted by Sti THIS

thanks, it took me that much longer just to take pics and eveyrthing. I love the way this thing looks in the opening of the front bumper

Yeah, I have the ETS 3.5 IC as well on my silver 8. Makes the front end look so much better...........not to mention the performance!!

Good write-up..........

[Jim in Tucson]

Good write-up. I just upgraded to the same I/C a couple weeks ago. I opted to paint all three brackets flat black, FWIW.

Did you notice any change in knock sum? I was able to increase boost by 2psi with no increase in knock. ETS FTW !!!

[Paul Nelson]

Originally Posted by Jim in Tucson

Good write-up. I just upgraded to the same I/C a couple weeks ago. I opted to paint all three brackets flat black, FWIW.

Did you notice any change in knock sum? I was able to increase boost by 2psi with no increase in knock. ETS FTW !!!

Nice Must be keeping those temps down

[Sti THIS]

Originally Posted by Jim in Tucson

Good write-up. I just upgraded to the same I/C a couple weeks ago. I opted to paint all three brackets flat black, FWIW.

Did you notice any change in knock sum? I was able to increase boost by 2psi with no increase in knock. ETS FTW !!!

I havent even driven it yet! Its snowing/raining+below freezing temps here in PA so im not gonna drive if I dont have too

[gtfour43]

Very nice write-up and a terrible way to make me want to spend more money

I never knew this mod was so easy! Looks almost as easy as an oil change

[Sti THIS]

It honestly was very easy to do, i was surprised

[ETS Michael]

Great write up, one of the best/most thorough I've seen for any part Thanks for putting this together!

Tom

[ETS Michael]

Nice Job! Added this link to our website for future reference.

ETS Evolution Intercooler

Thanks!

Michael

[Sti THIS]

^^ awesome, glad i could help