My opinion...

In Florida for sure, a properly sized FMIC setup is what you want. It will buy you consistency and better cooling, often without any additional pressure drop, but a more soggy throttle response when not under boost (of course). Top-mount ICs (and yes, I still have one) heatsoak badly (on the passenger side the most). Then again, you do have a fancypants water spray system and they are effective.

The problem is, there aren't any properly sized FMICs for a VF39-class turbo attached to a 2.5L car. They're all GINORMOUS FMICs rated for 500-700HP power. Bigger is very often not better, and is true in this case.

Example -- the Evolution 8 comes with a properly sized FMIC for the stock turbo.

If you're going to shoot for more than ~310WHP, you're going to need a different turbo, and you're likely going to want to get rid of the stock TMIC at that point if you haven't already.

I'm not even touching the pulley debate except to say that I know of people who have had zero problems for many tens of thousands of miles, yet still hear the constant rumbling from others that they may cause problems.

My advice would be to get a TBE and EcuTek reflash, and enjoy driving your car.