Apikol Performance Side Mount Intercooler

[Antekaudi]

Hey.

Do you need to buy hoses for it ? Or just use stock setup ?

I am going Stage 1+ with injectors, full turbo back exhaust, K&N with airbox mod.

Will this be a good intercooler for this setup ? I am not planning to go bigturbo for a while (I have only 40k miles)

The price on this intercooler is pretty tempting 490$

Thanks

BTW:
Whats more agressive
Apr stage 1+
Or
Revo Stage 2 ?

[grimlock]

Most people will tell you that for $300 more an FMIC is worth it, even for a 1+ setup. The upgraded SMIC's only drop IATs by 20-30 deg. Do a search and you should be able to find what you're looking for

[mrbacardi35]

the stock hose will work, but allot of az member will tell you to just get the fmic.

[ExCarpi]

Jump on the group buy for the racetec FMIC, I think it is $770.

Great deal if you can swing a little extra cash.

Look in the group buy section or there is a tread from a couple days ago.

[Antekaudi]

By the time i get extra 300$ group buy will be probably over :(

[grimlock]

By the time i get extra 300$ group buy will be probably over :(

If that's the case, then use the money on something else. Talk to the guys at AE though, with summer coming I'm sure they'll be running more GBs on FMICs so you never know.

Spending $500 for something that is just slightly better than stock is really not worth it.

EDIT: Check the classifieds as well, people usually will sell used FMICs for $500-$600, that is another route you could take.

[onlyaudis]

My understanding is one of the main problems with the stock IC is the lack of good airflow coming into that area. The intake arera is not very large, and part of the problem is it isn't vented in the back, and positive pressure builds up leading to poor CFM through the core at highway speeds. The Revo tech guy told me they tested and confirmed this. If that is the case, replacing that side mount OE one with a better one probably won't make a huge difference.

I am looking at running the S4 vented wheel arch to help more air flow get through the stock IC. I am also looking at some powerful compact Spal puller fans that the MR2 Turbo guys have had success with. I am not sure how much room I have to work with. I know there is some clearance issues behind the stock IC. If I can fit one in there, I could then flip a switch and turn the fan on if the temp was high outside or I was driving the car a bit on the hard side.

About the FMIC, the local VW Audi tuning guy told me to be careful running a big FMIC with the K03 small turbo, as you might actually lose power. He said that small turbo wasn't really designed to be pressurizing that much added volume of air that will be required from some of FMIC and can actually lose boost pressure. For big turbos, they said it is whole different story.

[grimlock]

About the FMIC, the local VW Audi tuning guy told me to be careful running a big FMIC with the K03 small turbo, as you might actually lose power. He said that small turbo wasn't really designed to be pressurizing that much added volume of air that will be required from some of FMIC and can actually lose boost pressure. For big turbos, they said it is whole different story.

It is true that there might be minor pressure drop, but as mentioned before an FMIC's primary purpose isn't to "add power". Rather, it reclaims power that would otherwise be lost due to heatsoak.

Even with a pressure drop, the IAT's will be lowered significantly and consistently so that degradation in performance over time is minimized. Also, lower IAT's means denser air going into your intake manifold, so simply dropping boost pressure doesn't necessarily mean loss of power.

[a4wd]

I may have my racetec for sale, used for 6 months. It really depends if my car is totaled or not

[Antekaudi]

Its not summer yet and temps are normal for now.

I will just save my money and get nice fmic later on.

I see lots of people run stage 1+ without intercooler.


APR stage 1+ or revo stage 2 ?

Which one ?

[grimlock]

Its not summer yet and temps are normal for now.

I will just save my money and get nice fmic later on.

I see lots of people run stage 1+ without intercooler.


APR stage 1+ or revo stage 2 ?

Which one ?

I think you'll be happy with either one, they seem comparable. There's lots of people running both setups without a problem. It pretty much all comes down to what shops near you offer. I personally run APR 1+ w/ TT225 injectors and haven't had any issues with the software.

[Drew-B6]

The Racetec FMIC is on back order for a month now, so that gives you a month to save up... They won't charge your card until it ships!

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274943

[PRY4SNO]

APR stage 1+ or revo stage 2 ?

Which one ?

Unitronic!!!!!

[J-jizzle]

APR stage 1+ or revo stage 2 ?

Which one ?

Which is ever closer to tune. Even though for some reason I think Revo is better.

[sean1.8t]

Ebay. Ebay. Ebay.

it's a no brainer

[mike-2ptzero]

The Racetec FMIC is on back order for a month now, so that gives you a month to save up... They won't charge your card until it ships!

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274943

Even if he doesn't get into the GB the normal price of that FMIC is only $50-$60 more then the GB price. So its not like he is going to have to spend a bunch more after the GB is over.