Ebay CX Racing FMIC Review

[Jmaak]

Hey guys just finished installing the CX Racing Front Mount Intercooler on my car and thought I’d give everyone my take on it.

http://www.cxracing.com/mm5/merchant...y_Code=Audi_A4

Price

I paid $480 shipped for it off Ebay.

Install

The kit doesn’t come with instructions so some parts were a little tricky, but overall not too challenging if you have some mechanical inclination. I’m going to gloss over most of the details as there are tons of DIY’s on various parts of the install. If there is something that you want explained in further detail, I’ll do my best to explain.

Jack the car up then remove the front bumper and headlights. I used Fly300kts DIY, which worked great. Remove your intake and stock SMIC’s. To remove the SMIC’s you have to disconnect all the connecting intercooler hoses and just pry them out. There are no screws holding the SMIC in place so you just have to use some force and they will come loose from the mounting points. There is a large metal intercooler pipe that goes across the front end of the bumper that connects the two stock intercoolers. It looked like a lot of work to get it out so I left it in place, it didn’t affect the rest of the install.
When I removed the stock intercoolers I had a TON of oil pooled in the hoses. I’m talking about a quarter quart or more, it was shocking. I’ve had to add a quart every 3000 miles, now I know where most of it when haha. It’s something to keep in mind for all those who have oil consumption issues.

Next you have to relocate the power steering cooler and temperature sensor. I just cut off the bottom portion of the clip and angled the power steering cooler up at a 45 degree angle. To secure the cooler I drilled a hole below the original mounting point and used a screw to secure it.

Putting the FMIC on is pretty straight forward, but there were a few issues. First the kit came with the wrong bracket for mounting the FMIC. If you look at the picture in the link the left most bracket should be mirrored with the other, not the same. Not a big deal, just used a cutting wheel to cut off part of the tip and it fit. Once the FMIC is mounted you have to mount the hard pipes. This part required a lot of elbow grease but it fit fine. Another thing to note is the coupler that connects to the turbo was a little too large in diameter. However using the supplied tbolt clamps I tightened them down as much as I could and haven’t felt any boost leaks.

This intercooler doesn’t require any cutting of the crash bar and minimal cutting of the bumper. I have a non-sline so I had to trim two tabs on the front bumper that were hitting the silicone couplers. That’s it.

Power

My current mod list for reference
DIY intake pipe w/cone filter
Revo Stage 2
Test Pipe 2.5”
Stock exhaust

I immediately notice an improvement in power. For me it was a night and day difference. This could be attributed to my hot air intake but I was honestly blown away by the difference in top end power. The most pronounced difference was from 4k-6k. I don’t have any dyno logs or IAT readings.

Final thoughts

On this forum I always hear people talking about putting cheap parts on their car, and how you have to pay to play. My opinion is that everything has a price/performance ratio. For the price I paid I’m extremely happy with how everything came out. I have a hard time believing that an FMIC costing more than twice the amount will deliver twice the power this FMIC gave me. Now if I had planned on upgrading the turbo, I would definitely suggest getting a larger intercooler, but that isn’t in my future so this fits my needs perfectly.

If anyone has an AWE/Racetec/ATP intercooler in the Chicago area with similar mods and wants to compare, I’d be up for it.

[bez101]

have you got the ebay link

[psiaddict85]

Post some pics

[greensto]

Why spend $480 shipped when you can spend $320 shipped?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Upgra...item588aecfd17

[Operator]

^^ Not sure if you're being sarcastic, or not. But I figure, someone has tried that one at some point. It'd be nice to see some feedback on these.

[greensto]

^^ Not sure if you're being sarcastic, or not. But I figure, someone has tried that one at some point. It'd be nice to see some feedback on these.

I wasn't being sarcastic. It looks like the same product to me.

[Operator]

Yeh, I looked them over, they are close, but the cores are different sizes and one has 3 pipes to 4. Is there a company that makes blank FMIC's and just let's other brands brand them. I.E. Billy Boat exhaust = Eurotuning, and APR exhaust.

[jayphil82]

Jmaak,

This is a nice and detail review you did. As for the performance of the intercooler it can be because of many reasons and not just the cooling capacity of the IC it-self.

The first obvious thing you need to consider is that our stock IC and piping does not flow as well as the eBay core that have a straight through fin design, so on the first pull (cold IC) you will gain HP from a better flow. Second is that oil was somewhat restricting your air flow and on top of that you stock IC internal fin were probably full of contaminants that were restricting the temp transfer between charged air and IC.

I still believe that the CX racing intercooler can cool more that our OEM ICs because of the better air flow hitting the IC core but I am not certain how really good it will be in hot summer temps. Only a VAG COM and intake temps logging of at least 3 full pull in a row would show how good they really are.

I have never seen any real data backing CX intercooler so if you have a VAG COM and could log you Intake temps that would be a nice share with that AZ community.

My guess would be that CX Intercooler could do the job for few spirited driving runs of a K03 equiped A4 (<270hp) but not for racing application or bigger turbo. I still believe that a bettre IC would do a better job on a K03 A4 but is not worth twice the price.

I would still pay 200$ more to get a better IC core but I plan going K04 and I want something that will support 350hp run after run. It all depends on each one goals / driving style.

[J.Owen]

Why spend $480 shipped when you can spend $320 shipped?

Why pay $320 shipped when you can spend $298 shipped?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_1895wt_941

[jayphil82]

Why pay $320 shipped when you can spend $298 shipped?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_1895wt_941

Godspeed and CX are different ICs. Godspeed is a bigger core and is not a perfect fit.
OP CX intercooler is 18 X 6 X 3.5 or 378CI vs 309 CI of that stock intercoolers.

That would be nice if CX were selling the piping alone (not generic piping) than we could get the piping from CX plus a similar size but better IC from precision for around 250$.

I only know ATP that are selling the piping alone and for 400$...

[Jmaak]

have you got the ebay link

Sorry I don't, I looked through ebay to find a current one (I bought mine 5 months ago) and there weren't any listed.

Post some pics

Sorry, didn't take any durring install.

Why spend $480 shipped when you can spend $320 shipped?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Upgra...item588aecfd17

That is the Godspeed intercooler kit, not the CX Racing kit. The reason I went with CX Racing rather than the other kits was because I knew that CX = GSG and they atleast had pictures of the kit mounted on the car.

Jmaak,

This is a nice and detail review you did. As for the performance of the intercooler it can be because of many reasons and not just the cooling capacity of the IC it-self.

The first obvious thing you need to consider is that our stock IC and piping does not flow as well as the eBay core that have a straight through fin design, so on the first pull (cold IC) you will gain HP from a better flow. Second is that oil was somewhat restricting your air flow and on top of that you stock IC internal fin were probably full of contaminants that were restricting the temp transfer between charged air and IC.

I still believe that the CX racing intercooler can cool more that our OEM ICs because of the better air flow hitting the IC core but I am not certain how really good it will be in hot summer temps. Only a VAG COM and intake temps logging of at least 3 full pull in a row would show how good they really are.

I have never seen any real data backing CX intercooler so if you have a VAG COM and could log you Intake temps that would be a nice share with that AZ community.

My guess would be that CX Intercooler could do the job for few spirited driving runs of a K03 equiped A4 (<270hp) but not for racing application or bigger turbo. I still believe that a bettre IC would do a better job on a K03 A4 but is not worth twice the price.

I would still pay 200$ more to get a better IC core but I plan going K04 and I want something that will support 350hp run after run. It all depends on each one goals / driving style.

I agree, If I was going BT, I would go another route. My car is never going to see the track or anything more than running threw a couple gears every now and again (my street racing days are long over).

[greensto]

I wonder if the Godspeed would fit the DTM bumper without any trimming...

[fly300kts]

I wonder if the Godspeed would fit the DTM bumper without any trimming...

Get it and tell us :-)

Phil

[psiaddict85]

Get it and tell us :-)

Phil

X2

[schizzy]

still want pics of the cx racing install

[fly300kts]

I would be ready to try the CX with DIY & pics at $480 but not at the price posted on their site

Phil

[saizero]

I would be ready to try the CX with DIY & pics at $480 but not at the price posted on their site

Phil

I thought you bought yourself a used AWE FMIC?

[deeznuts]

Would the godspeed intercooler be enough for a gt3071 turbo with a conservative tune of around 300-320 whp?

[fly300kts]

I thought you bought yourself a used AWE FMIC?

I did and received it 2 weeks ago. Since it was used, brought it to my work place and pressure test it: well, the core is shot, cracked internally and at a location that can't be accessed to repair
Got if for really cheap so life goes on

phil

[deeznuts]

That sucks.

[digitalAUDI]

I'm curious to see some pics of your setup as well. I'm currently running the CXracing intercooler and piping as well. I can say I am very content with it. For the purpose it serves, it works great. Eventually I want to go BT as well and I may just hold on to it before going bigger to see how it handles.

[kristokes]

I did and received it 2 weeks ago. Since it was used, brought it to my work place and pressure test it: well, the core is shot, cracked internally and at a location that can't be accessed to repair
Got if for really cheap so life goes on

phil

Who and where did you purchase it from? You should have purchased mine, I gave you a great price shipped.

[deeznuts]

Stokes why are you selling yours you just put it on lol?

[fly300kts]

Who and where did you purchase it from? You should have purchased mine, I gave you a great price shipped.

Not that great compared to this one
Anyway, I am over it now and almost "happy" because I moke it up on the car and this thing is really really big, almost too big behind the RS4 grille!!
I will have fun with it this WE anyway: Going to bring it to the range to see what kind of damages my new Kimber .45 can do on it

Phil

[fly300kts]

Stokes why are you selling yours you just put it on lol?

No, he is selling one for his Friend I think

Phil

[Inked]

Not that great compared to this one
Anyway, I am over it now and almost "happy" because I moke it up on the car and this thing is really really big, almost too big behind the RS4 grille!!
I will have fun with it this WE anyway: Going to bring it to the range to see what kind of damages my new Kimber .45 can do on it

Phil

my buddy brought his AR15 to fire off this weekend.....I have a feeling after firing it off for only the second time for me I will have to spend the 900 bucks and get me one I fell in love with the the first time I got to fire it off...it barely has any kick at all and puts a hole bigger than a quater through a steel gate LOL....

[Stewy]

[jayphil82]

Phil,

Since you have already purchased a AWE IC you already have the piping. Why not purchase just a quality core to go along with your piping. You will have to get some bracket fabricated and maybe two longer 45 degre silicone hose but at least you will get something good for the money.

Precision 350 hp 260$
http://www.nolimitmotorsport.com/prod/053-1005


TreadStone TR6 230$


CX RACING

[fly300kts]

I just had the core, no piping.

Phil

[kristokes]

I just had the core, no piping.

Phil

You purchased the AWE FMIC bare core without any intercooler piping with hopes of it being in tact? Please give reason to such madness..?

[kristokes]

Is it just me or does it look like CX Racing offers 2 different core sizes in their website picture? One is clearly taller than the two; surpassing the front filler plate and crash bar.

[fly300kts]

You purchased the AWE FMIC bare core without any intercooler piping with hopes of it being in tact? Please give reason to such madness..?

By now, don't you know yet that I am mad?

phil

[deeznuts]

One is 350-400hp core and the other is 600 i believe

[mr shickadance]

^^ correct they offer two different sizes....good to know these fit the s line thinking about pulling the trigger so i can get my fog lights back on

[deeznuts]

^^ correct they offer two different sizes....good to know these fit the s line thinking about pulling the trigger so i can get my fog lights back on

which one do you have?

[mr shickadance]

i have a god speed that was previously owned by i think digital audi its been a long time, but ive been searching ebay fmic's for a while now bc the godspeed piping does not let me keep my fog lights

[jimrobbington]

I

Phil,

Since you have already purchased a AWE IC you already have the piping. Why not purchase just a quality core to go along with your piping. You will have to get some bracket fabricated and maybe two longer 45 degre silicone hose but at least you will get something good for the money.

Precision 350 hp 260$
http://www.nolimitmotorsport.com/prod/053-1005


TreadStone TR6 230$


CX RACING

I def see where the cx could have the least amount of cooling properties here, but is there a point at which the amount of cooling fins can impede performance?

[jayphil82]

I

I def see where the cx could have the least amount of cooling properties here, but is there a point at which the amount of cooling fins can impede performance?

CX / Ebay intercoolers are straight through fin design which is good for flow/ pressure lost but not good for cooling. If we were talking about cars runing low boost (for example a turbo 350z runing 6psi) I would highly recommend a IC core with low pressure drop.

Since our car are running high boost and that precision / treadstone core are not so bad for the pressure drop (less than 1 psi) and cool much better, I would highly recommend them instead of a ebay better flow / less cooling. By the way treadstone have cores for low and high boost applications.

If I remember correclty, 30 degree less in intake temp could mean around 7% more HP. So if your core after 3 runs let your car go to 200 instead of 115 degrees that mean you would loose around 50-60 peak hp, not something that +1 psi of a better flowing / less cooling intercooler could solve...

By the way 200 degrees is what stock IC on a Stage 2 car can achieve after 3 pulls during hot days.

Next summer I will do logging to prove you that.

[Operator]

If I remember correclty, 30 degree less in intake temp could mean around 7% more HP. So if your core after 3 runs let your car go to 200 instead of 115 degrees that mean you would loose around 50-60 peak hp, not something that +1 psi of a better flowing / less cooling intercooler could solve...

By the way 200 degrees is what stock IC on a Stage 2 car can achieve after 3 pulls during hot days.

Next summer I will do logging to prove you that.

Are you saying the CX only cools as well as stock?!? i.e. Treadstone would cool to 115 degrees, while the CX would be 85 degrees worse in cooling efficiency?

[jayphil82]

Are you saying the CX only cools as well as stock?!? i.e. Treadstone would cool to 115 degrees, while the CX would be 85 degrees worse in cooling efficiency?

Nope I am not saying that... I am saying that stock IC are not efficient enough to cool a stage 2 A4. I am saying that CX core was not build for high cooling efficiency per cubic inch.

I have no data to back Treadstond core vs CX core except the fact that Treadstone core is bigger and there is more internal fin density for temp transfer.

Without any temp loging for both core it is hard to take any consusion but since the cx core is only like 60ci more than stock and have straigh through fin design, is cooling effiency is limited but can still be better than OEM.

For me I do not want to invest 500$ in something that is only slighly better than stock so I will pay like 200$ more and get something I am mostly certain will support my 350hp goal.