CustomMsp's SMIC: How To

[CustomMSP]

Removal of stock IC:

1. Let car cool down a little bit
2. Remove top IC pipe from the IC side and loosen on the turbo side so you can rotate it out of the way once its off the IC
3. Remove IC fan by unbolting the two top bolts, one between the radiator cap/top radiator hose and one on the stock IC. I'm pretty sure you'll need to remove the airbox
4. Disconnect fan harness completely from the fan so it may be removed from the engine bay
5. Remove the Top IC bracket
6. Unbolt the stock IC, two bolts on the bottom screwed on to the radiator and one bolt on top screwed on to the radiator.
7. Undo the clamp that holds the Cold Pipe to the Throttle Body, and remove the stock IC with the Cold Pipe still attached to it.
8. Make sure to leave the rubber boot that the lower IC nipple sits in in the car for support of new IC
9. Remove the lower IC pipe from the IC now.

Installation of New IC:

1. Bolt in the new IC in the stock locations on the bottom of the radiator and top of the radiator with the same three bolts. You'll need to bend the bracket next to the driver's side headlight out of the way enough so the IC doesn't rub on it at all.
2. Install the IC/Radiator Bracket back on with the same two nuts. This might be a tight fit.
3. Install the fan by placing it back in the slot on the radiator/SMIC and screwing it on in the stock location between the radiator cap/upper hose. The fan is held on at these three points. It WON'T move anywhere. Reconnect the harness, making sure it's on tight.
4. Reconnect the lower IC pipe making sure to use the stock silicone band of the stock IC to get a proper seal with stock pipes.
5. Install the intake back on.
6. Install upper IC pipe, making sure to use the stock silicone band with stock pipe.
7. I suggest you get aftermarket worm clamps at your local auto-parts store, because the stock ones will undo over time when tightened hard.
8. GO FOR A DRIVE AND ENJOY!<o:p></o:p>



Please let me know if you have any questions or if the guys who already installed one can make any corrections/suggestions.

Thanks Alot

Disclaimer: I do not take any responsibility for the mistakes made/parts broken while installing my SMIC. If you follow these instructions you shouldn't have any problems.

[jersey_emt]

Moved to How-To.

If somebody is installing this and would like to take pictures of each step along the way, contact CustomMSP so he can put them up on this thread.

Thanks!

[jersey_emt]

Yeah only mods and admins can post a thread in here, that way we can control what is put up easier.

[Bhamsan]

I'll be doing it, but I don't know if I want to take all those pictures and post them up. If I have time, I'll do it when I get the SMIC next week and when I do the install next weekend.

[MSP#735]

pics would be great guys!!! gonna purchase a SMIC soon and they would be greeeeaaattt! thanks

[CustomMSP]

Once you look underneath the hood after reading the instructions, it becomes clear.

Thanks.

[TommyBDragon]

Do I need any other modifications to deal with increased boost pressure or A/F changes?

[CHICO2003]

Once you look underneath the hood after reading the instructions, it becomes clear.

Thanks.

I feel this how-to was written for those with at least some experience. For people (dumbasses) like myself, this how-to wasn't even close to helpful. If I don't know what a cold pipe or throttle body is, there's no way I'm going to be able to install this badboy.

But even that's not that big of a deal. Afterall, one can easily google those things and figure out what the deal is. Unfortuneatly for me, the clarity of the instructions didn't prove to be my downfall. After about an hour of trying to pull the IC pipe away from the IC's kung fu grip, I'm finally giving up. In fear of breaking my car, I only put about 80% effort into pulling it off. (anything more would've been ugly) Before anyone says it, yes of course I loosened those (clearly worthless) brackets. This sort of reminds me of how difficult it was to take off my wheels and my thinking that I could probably drive around without any lug nuts on. But I digress....

Looks like I'm going to have to bite the bullet and bring it to a shop. For those that want to do it themselves, assuming Mazda didn't superglue your piping, I'd recommend checking out the ********** how-to. Though it's slightly different, it features pictures and was (for a sped like me) a lot easier to follow.

[warrier04]

you can do a search here on the forums about getting the stock piping off.

a lot of people (including myself) just sat down with a hair dryer or went for a quick drive to get the pipes heated up a bit to be easier to pull off.

no matter though. once you get them off the first time, working with them on a later basis is easier.

[mazdaRX]

mine came right off with a little squirt of WD-40. Than i wiped it all off. worked fast.

[SleepyMSP]

bump from the past....

I am going to be installing this bad mother now...and will take pics...so CustomMSP if you want them just let me know

[rmak_14]

installed the SMIC today! getting the stock piping off was super hard but i managed. fitment seemed a little off but everything seemed tight so hopefully it will stay secure.

[In4am0sPuN]

bump from the future to the past but n e body got pics on this biznitch? I am just about ready to do this on my own but wuld like pics to clear this out...

[SleepyMSP]

bump from the future to the past but n e body got pics on this biznitch? I am just about ready to do this on my own but wuld like pics to clear this out...

I have them lying around my Hard drive somewhere I'll see If I can find them for you

[BadBandar]

bump from the future to the past but n e body got pics on this biznitch? I am just about ready to do this on my own but wuld like pics to clear this out...

+1 for pics.

[SleepyMSP]

+1 for pics.

I'll post them when I get home tonight

[BadBandar]

Thank you. :)

[cmp1032]

bump would love pics

[SleepyMSP]

I'm going to upload them now...I keep forgetting to do that..LOL

[SleepyMSP]

Removal of stock IC:

1. Let car cool down a little bit
2. Remove top IC pipe from the IC side and loosen on the turbo side so you can rotate it out of the way once its off the IC
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/3763/img1238sb0.jpg

3. Remove IC fan by unbolting the two top bolts, one between the radiator cap/top radiator hose and one on the stock IC. I'm pretty sure you'll need to remove the airbox
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/6813/img1356ig7.jpg

4. Disconnect fan harness completely from the fan so it may be removed from the engine bay
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/7097/img1354le2.jpg

5. Remove the Top IC bracket
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1859/img1243up7.jpg

6. Unbolt the stock IC, two bolts on the bottom screwed on to the radiator and one bolt on top screwed on to the radiator.
(sorry no pic)

7. Undo the clamp that holds the Cold Pipe to the Throttle Body, and remove the stock IC with the Cold Pipe still attached to it.
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/218/img1250ko4.jpg

8. Make sure to leave the rubber boot that the lower IC nipple sits in in the car for support of new IC

9. Remove the lower IC pipe from the IC now.

Installation of New IC:

1. Bolt in the new IC in the stock locations on the bottom of the radiator and top of the radiator with the same three bolts. You'll need to bend the bracket next to the driver's side headlight out of the way enough so the IC doesn't rub on it at all.
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4994/img1241sg6.jpg
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1989/img1240sn9.jpg


2. Install the IC/Radiator Bracket back on with the same two nuts. This might be a tight fit.
3. Install the fan by placing it back in the slot on the radiator/SMIC and screwing it on in the stock location between the radiator cap/upper hose. The fan is held on at these three points. It WON'T move anywhere. Reconnect the harness, making sure it's on tight.
4. Reconnect the lower IC pipe making sure to use the stock silicone band of the stock IC to get a proper seal with stock pipes.
5. Install the intake back on.
6. Install upper IC pipe, making sure to use the stock silicone band with stock pipe.
7. I suggest you get aftermarket worm clamps at your local auto-parts store, because the stock ones will undo over time when tightened hard.
8. GO FOR A DRIVE AND ENJOY!>>

[SleepyMSP]

hope the pics I took help, had to go snap one in the cold just now...

[BadBandar]

Thanks for the pics. Very helpful.

[cmp1032]

thanks sleepy!!!

[SleepyMSP]

if you need other pics let me know i'll see what I can do

[special--k]

thanks Sleepy! doing it this weekend!

[SleepyMSP]

any time, if you need a hand let me know...always love working on cars

[special--k]

Alright, would be the second person from the forums that i meet in real life.

[SleepyMSP]

well we did pass right beside each other at the julep

[special--k]

Im accually going to have to put it off this weekend. Family stuff, apparintly its thanks giving or something like that. I vote we have a national Day of that is devoted to poeple working on there cars all day. And it should be paid as well. I might try and get this SMI in this monday or tuesday.

Do you have to remove the Rad fan completly from the car? or can you squeez the IC around it?

[speed1016]

Also is anyone running this intercooler with DSM hardpipes?

[special--k]

FUCK!!
FUCK!
worst day of my life! This shit is not eazy! I started taking it apart, and All three screws on the intercooler were rusted and snapped. Then when i was trying to remove the coldpipe i pushed a little little bit on the AC compressor and i bent one of the steal cables. Now there is a little hole in that so i have freeon leeking all over. And i couldnt even get the fucking Stock IC off. I had to put it back together with the Stock one!!

now there are the 2 rusted IC screws stuck in the bottom. Holding on the IC and i cant get it off. And my AC is broken. The pipe is no Biggy, im sure i can get one for 10-20$ But it going to be a bitch to get the AC re-filled.

OMG, eveything that could have gone wrong did!

Im so Vexted.

[MSP2024]

shitty

[special--k]

your telling me. I still have no idea how im going to get the stock IC off at this point.

[MSP2024]

might have to drill out the screws, good luck though i hope you can figure it out

[speed1016]

man, you have my luck. HMMMM I might wait and have my old man do it then. He has alot better luck than I do. Sorry man. Hang in there

[special--k]

Its pritty basic... there is nothing to complicated. Just my bolts were rusted to shit. (dont know why) and then just bad luck with the AC. Its all good tho, winter is coming. I dont need it anymore.

[speed1016]

the silver lining

[special--k]

thats the one. it shouldnt be hard to replace. just going to suck to re-fill the system. I think AC is like 150$ to re-flush

[SleepyMSP]

that same thing happened to me....the bottom two bolts are a PITA for us northern cars...I cut the plastic around the stock rad to pull it out then just got two new bolts...I might have time on tomorrow to give you a hand if you want.

[special--k]

ya, turns out it common, 2 other guys with MSPs from QC told me the same thing happened to them. I might go the cutting way, or pull out the rad and drill the screws. I cant do it this weekend. Thanks giving and all. Next weekend, maybe ill let you know if i need help. I want to try and get the AWR mounts in at the same time.

[foild1]

should I use sealer tape when re-installing the stock IC pipes to the new SMIC? Also, apart from brute force and a screwdriver, does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the stock IC PIPING off the SMIC???

[SleepyMSP]

you don't need sealer tape but the rubber membrane that is already on there would be handy

to get the hot pipe off use a hair dryer...or do it when the car is warm

[foild1]

fuck! this thing is impossible to get off! help!
!

[foild1]

good. god her off. but that rubber membrane broke while doing it? what should i do now, when putting the new smic on?

[SleepyMSP]

don't worry a bout it...as long as you clamp it down tight you'll be fine

[foild1]

well, what I ended up doing was wrapping the male connectors on the smic with electrical tape, so that it became built up and a little cushy. I then clamped it down on that, to form a better seal. Seems to be fine.. nice power gains from the SMIC. it was a BIATCH getting the thing out with those lower bolts snapped. but.. ended up prying her off somehow. got cuts all over my arm from the damn rad! anyways, all in all it was a LITTLE troublesome, but putting it back in was a piece of cake; it even could have been EASIER if it didn't start raining - GRR!

[BOOSTR]

Glad it worked out for you. And believe me you bought the right smic. Some people used bicycle inner tubing for sealing. The factory gasket part number is 0000-88-C95 Intercooler sealing sleave, you get 2.

I did not seem to have them when I pulled mine off but I have hardpipes and they seal good with the couplers.

[FlyinHawaiian]

Subbin for future installation

[323]

Subbin for future installation

how u liking yours so far?

[FlyinHawaiian]

Love it... Makes a huge difference in the car and how it performs. No more heat soak and a much harder, yet even pull. CustomMSP SMIC + ATP WGA = FTW

[323]

nice :) im considering it

[TheMAN]

too bad the fitment is shitty compared to the turbo hoses

I have to drill the bracket hole bigger so it'll line up right with the radiator, and fit a piece of hose to the support peg at the bottom so that it won't be all loose in the rubber mount!

[BOOSTR]

I installed mine a long time ago. Didn't have any fitment issues or movement issues.

[TheMAN]

the support peg in mine is smaller than the stock intercooler
so the rubber insulator just falls out easily!

then there's the lack of the mounting bolt hole for the radiator fan

[FlyinHawaiian]

The only fitment issue I have is that with my Samco hot pipe, the BPV hose seems a little too long. I've been considering trimming it down slightly to make it fit a little better. Otherwise, my SMIC fits in there snug as a bug. I'd say everything is tighter than before actually...

[323]

i want one