Do i really need a fmic for stage 2 ca18det?

Hi all,

Thinking of upgrading to a stage 2 chip since my car is currently not running ok. It dies when in idle. Unsuccessfull stage 3 upgrade landed me there :rolleyes:
Not 100% sure what chip i am running atm but it's not OEM and it has no markings.

I have the following installed:
Walbro fuelpump
Free flowing exhaust (decat)
t28
boost controller currently running 0.8 bar
Free flow air filter.

My question is, will the ca18det run stage 2 with the OEM intercooler? Not recommended i know, but for now i just want the car to start working again.

BR,
Toshi

Will work but not recommended

I.e - dont complain if you kill your engine


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appreciate the reply jay. noted!

I wouldn't. The wing mounted intercooler is very restrictive and not at all efficient. Pushing more through it would likely end in tears.

I ran Stage 1 and then 2 for a while on a Norris Wing Mounted Intercooler, which is twice as deep and far more efficient than the OEM. At stage 2 it worked OK but I was careful never to really push it. Went FMIC as soon as I was able to lay my hands on a Norris FMIC and have never looked back since.

OEM intercooler ? Really not a good idea at all even at stage 1, let alone 2.

If your OEM intercooler wasn't already leaking in several places I'd be very surprised.

In my case I had piston meltdown with stage 1 and oem intercooler, so yeah... haha. Tough it is possible I had lean conditions. Thing is, with a nice IC, lean won't be as bad as in my case, so I would put one just for safety. In my case I went for a mid mount as I swapped to SR20. Shorter piping makes boost more responsive and easier to install and maintain. Didn't even have to relocate battery or cut any chassis.