FMIC kits for the B5 Platform

[Mr. Smiley]

Most intercooler kits I have seen state that the kits can be installed on both the B5 A4 and B5 Passat 1.8t. I am wondering specifically if the CTS Turbo FMIC for the B5 A4 will fit onto a B5 Passat. I contacted CTS Turbo and they said that they cannot guarantee fitment because they have not tested the kit on a Passat. I am not too worried about the intercooler core fitting inside of the Passat bumper. I am more worried about pipping issues. Are there any reasons why the pipping in this kit would not work on a B5 Passat?


Thank you very much!

[demonmk2]

It would fit..

[demonmk2]

Not trying to knock the sale but unless you do not plan on running 450hp
EBay has intercoolers that are half that and can handle
300hp

[JaysA4]

Not trying to knock the sale but unless you do not plan on running 450hp
EBay has intercoolers that are half that and can handle
300hp

Word. Itll fit.

[ray4624]

or buy ebay piping and the tr18 intercooler from treadstone

[kraylon]

or buy ebay piping and the tr18 intercooler from treadstone

This is what I was going to do until I found a custom intercooler and piping in the classifieds

[ray4624]

I'll eventually sell my racetec setup and do that

[jmcwayne808]

Installed the tr18t from treadstone pretty much bolt on with the cxracing fmic pipe kit minor modifications made to bracket and turbo outlet coupler that goes to fmic

[RallyeBourne]

eBay core FTW

[GrapeBandit]

$950 should be enough to scare you away. fmic kits are a total rip off. can make your own for less than half, even someone with minimal skills

[demonmk2]

Don't know who makes it there is the same kit parts/size wise on eBay
For half that of CTS.
Make your own for around 150-200 bucks.

[teleTay]

i know its already a cheap ebay brand

but i can get a small discount on the cxracing kit

[BaronB5]

Hey I was under the impression that eBay fmic's were not very effective. I could be totally wrong. I've been saving up for apikol smic but $200 sounds like a deal to me.

[fed0ra]

Depends on which ebay core you go with and what kind of power you are planning on making. A CXRacing core should be good for stock turbos and K04s/hybrids.

[nynoah]

CXRacing FMIC with the 2.5 in piping is the only Ebay core worth installing.

[ray4624]

Hey I was under the impression that eBay fmic's were not very effective. I could be totally wrong. I've been saving up for apikol smic but $200 sounds like a deal to me.

If you never plan on going bigger then ft then the Apikol smic is ideal. Doug at ft actually suggests an upgraded smic over an fmic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MetalMan]

Too bad they cost $200+ more... I was hoping to go SMIC over FMIC and avoid all the cutting/aggravation/non-OEM piping/non-stealth look but alas CX Racing piping won me over (already had a CX Racing core, paid $240 for piping). Even used upgraded SMICs go for $500+.

[ray4624]

Yea obviously the FMIC seems to be cheaper. There used to be a godspeed SMIC but there wasnt enough interest to keep it around.

[pichno]

I'm finally looking to upgrade my stock intercooler with a FMIC. I don't plan on going bigger than my K04, thus feel a "decent" Ebay kit is my route. I keep reading how 2.5" piping/core will create turbo lag and power loss, however I can't find anything on Ebay (complete kits or piping kits/cores) that are under 2.5" for some reason. I did find ONE core that's 2.25", but could very well be a complete POS?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231006140145...84.m1423.l2649

If I were to purchase this core that's 2.25", am I able to use piping that's 2.5"? Isn't that what the couplers are for? I'm 150% Newbie on this topic, so please forgive me. Another thing I've noticed is that in order to get a complete kit from Ebay that included "mounting hardware" the cost is at least $80-$100 more. Is that necessary? If not, what mounting hardware do I need if purchasing somewhere else? And where to purchase it? The more help the better as you could imagine.

Thanks in advance!

[nynoah]

Just buy this one, its the best ebay FMIC. http://www.ebay.com/itm/94-01-Audi-A...2198f6&vxp=mtr

[ray4624]

If you really want 2" I'll sell you my racetec. Otherwise that eBay one is you're best bet as stated


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pichno]

If you really want 2" I'll sell you my racetec. Otherwise that eBay one is you're best bet as stated


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the offer Ray, but I'm assuming the racetec will be far more expensive. If I change my mind however, I'll definitely let you know.

[pichno]

Just buy this one, its the best ebay FMIC. http://www.ebay.com/itm/94-01-Audi-A...2198f6&vxp=mtr

That's one in particular I have saved on my Ebay page.

Here's a few other listings I've been monitoring as well....I believe all of them come with full 2 yr warranties as well, especially the 1st one I pasted below seeing as it doesn't state that in the listing, the seller did state that in an email I sent via Ebay so it's "on record."

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171012398917...84.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300636053034...84.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181143757671...84.m1423.l2649

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=201068308169

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400662679277...84.m1423.l2649

What I don't understand is how the mounting hardware kits cost $75-$100 more? Aren't we just able to buy the mounting brackets elsewhere for FAR cheaper than that? Seems like an AWFUL LOT of money for 4 mounting brackets doesn't it?

[pichno]

Just buy this one, its the best ebay FMIC. http://www.ebay.com/itm/94-01-Audi-A...2198f6&vxp=mtr

Actually, what about it is the best? The size surely doesn't seem like it would fit the best, that's for sure. 7 inches? I've seen 5" & 6" kits on Ebay too, but 7" seems like it would just be a bigger pain in the ass to fit. I'm looking to install a kit that would require "the least" amount of chopping, this a 5" or 6" kit would strike my interest more. 1-2" can go a along way with a DIY job.....been there done that, heck even 0.5" difference has caused hell for me before....

[pichno]

I'm trying to find a mounting bracket kit for less than $75 since that's the cheapest I can find on Ebay. For those of you that purchased the piping kits and/or cores separate from each other on ebay, or even them together but not including a mounting kit, what have you guys used to mount it? Some of you have provided links for cores and piping kits, but you had to mount it somehow right? lol......


I found this mounting hardware kit on Ebay, however there's other listings that just include the one larger mounting bar. Can I get away with just purchasing the one larger bar? Or, do I need this entire kit with the smaller pieces too?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390422662587...witem=&vxp=mtr >>>>Entire Kit

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181319913059?lpid=82 >>>>Just Larger Bar

[demonmk2]

That gsp one would do just fine.
As far as brackets go just go to home depot
And buy a strip of aluminum. ( $3 )
That's what I did, works fine.

[demonmk2]

And even if you go bigger as far as turbos
You don't necessarily need bigger charge pipes.

[zandrew]

If I was going to go SMIC with a K04 or even a FT or a hybrid I would use 1st gen DSM side mount. They have been used at over 300AWHP on their cars without issue so I a sure it would do the trick.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1G-DSM-ECLIP...tr#ht_27wt_908

I used one an 1986 Toyota MR2 that I turbo'd and never had an issue. On an MR2 its mounted behind the cabin so there is considerably less air flow. I made 226rwhp with it and 2nd gen Eclipse T25. It should work just fine on our A4's. Maybe mod the inlet and outlet.

[GrapeBandit]

QUOTE=zandrew;9662325]If I was going to go SMIC with a K04 or even a FT or a hybrid I would use 1st gen DSM side mount. They have been used at over 300AWHP on their cars without issue so I a sure it would do the trick.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1G-DSM-ECLIP...tr#ht_27wt_908

I used one an 1986 Toyota MR2 that I turbo'd and never had an issue. On an MR2 its mounted behind the cabin so there is considerably less air flow. I made 226rwhp with it and 2nd gen Eclipse T25. It should work just fine on our A4's. Maybe mod the inlet and outlet.[/QUOTE]it may not fit in the stock location, depending on the dimensions. also, you would have to cut off the inlet & outlet and weld them on in the right direction

[jmcwayne808]

Tr18t with cx racing pipe kit cost me about $500, only thing is had to cut bumper support a little and modify the bracket that comes with the pipe kit and walla reasonabley priced fmic with quality core

[pichno]

Tr18t with cx racing pipe kit cost me about $500, only thing is had to cut bumper support a little and modify the bracket that comes with the pipe kit and walla reasonabley priced fmic with quality core

Ouch, $500 is far too much to spend on a decent FMIC with my setup.

[pichno]

That gsp one would do just fine.
As far as brackets go just go to home depot
And buy a strip of aluminum. ( $3 )
That's what I did, works fine.

In buying a piece of aluminum, can you elaborate a bit more? What exactly did you do to modify the store bought stuff to make it work?

[RallyeBourne]

Wow. I got a cheap eBay core, strip of metal from Home Depot to make my bracket, and I'm working on piping now.

[demonmk2]

In buying a piece of aluminum, can you elaborate a bit more? What exactly did you do to modify the store bought stuff to make it work?

My cross bar mount i made basically like the on sold on eBay.
And two brackets shaped like an L to mount the intercooler to the crossbar.

[pichno]

My cross bar mount i made basically like the on sold on eBay.
And two brackets shaped like an L to mount the intercooler to the crossbar.

Honestly, that doesn't help me much. Of course you're making them to resemble ones purchased, but "how?" What tools did you use to cut, fit, measure, etc etc? What steps did you take? I'm not looking for a complete DIY or anything, but if what you did works and is a cheap alternative, I'd bet others would also appreciate the logistics as well.

[OverSpun]

Thanks for the offer Ray, but I'm assuming the racetec will be far more expensive. If I change my mind however, I'll definitely let you know.

I'm running a Racetec FMIC with my Frankenturbo F21 w/ 440cc injectors also w/ GIAC.

[RallyeBourne]

Honestly, that doesn't help me much. Of course you're making them to resemble ones purchased, but "how?" What tools did you use to cut, fit, measure, etc etc? What steps did you take? I'm not looking for a complete DIY or anything, but if what you did works and is a cheap alternative, I'd bet others would also appreciate the logistics as well.

I'll be mounting mine today. From a quick glance, here's what you'll need:
-A long piece of aluminum or steel strip, the length of the radiator, with holes drilled (or you can drill yourself)
-Two or three more shorter pieces of aluminum or steel to make the L brackets.

Now, the length of the L brackets will vary based on your core. But I'll use a tape measure to figure that out. For cutting, I have an air tank and a cutoff tool, but you could also use a small handheld saw.

I'll give some more specifics when I get done this morning.

[Avant Nate]

Does anyone run a phenolic spacer between their fmic and condenser?

[pbcrazy]

Does anyone run a phenolic spacer between their fmic and condenser?

I don't, wouldn't be a bad idea but I would have to cut more of my bumper since my core is 2.5". I have about 1/8th gap between the fmic and condenser. I also don't have a mounting bracket, the combination of my piping and how close my fmic is to my bumper I've never seen the need for a bracket.

[MetalMan]

Does anyone run a phenolic spacer between their fmic and condenser?

If you did this, then you would block airflow through the condenser and radiator where the spacer would be located, wouldn't you?
From my perspective it seems better to have slightly warmer air flowing through that area of the condenser/radiator than no air at all.