S3 Front Mount Intercooler?

[BenM1013]

Hi all,

Do you have any suggestions for a front mount intercooler? The only one I can seem to find is the IE one.

Thanks!

Update: I ended up going with ARM so I'll update with photos when it's done!

[Eli0073]

I'm using Forge.

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[MikTip]

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-8V_S3...ke/Intercooler

[CavEsk1337]

I used Mishimoto and my hybrid turbo'd S3 didn't have a single hiccup with it.

[AudiGeo]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intercooler...-127632-2357-0


2018 Audi S3 8V - EQT Stage 1 93 OTS - EQT DSG Tune - MBRP Catback Exhaust - APR CAI - ECS Intake Hose - Leyo TIP - EQT HPFP

[Spinnetti]

I've got the ebay one.. its really well made much to my surprise. No regrets. (And I was a welder/fabricator/machinist)

[fischman]

I've got the ebay one.. its really well made much to my surprise. No regrets. (And I was a welder/fabricator/machinist)

I noticed the ebay listing says it doesn't include the silicon hose/clamps. Did you reuse the stock or did you need to purchase anything else to make it work?

[XLR8Performance]

Hey Ben, We offer a few brands that make intercoolers for the S3 like, I.E., APR, Raclingline & Unitronic. My name is Keven. I'm a retail sales rep at XLR8. I want to help you find the correct part. We stock thousands of parts from many different manufacturers like APR, 034, AWE, Milltek, Scorpion & many more. And we offer free shipping to the cont 48 U.S. on most orders.

https://xlr8performance.com/search.p...1&category=532

Feel free to D.M. me or send an email over at [email protected] or call at 203-483-6100 ex 1002.

[Spinnetti]

I noticed the ebay listing says it doesn't include the silicon hose/clamps. Did you reuse the stock or did you need to purchase anything else to make it work?

Oh, I had aftermarket hoses already - Neuspeed. Mine was also missing little tabs where the ac condenser sits on it at the top. There's a slot for it, but no little cover - I just zip tied that as there is little room for it to move anyway.

[BKozS3]

Got so excited someone might be doing an actual FMIC, then I saw it's all just stock placement...

[BenM1013]

Got so excited someone might be doing an actual FMIC, then I saw it's all just stock placement...

I will be doing a front mount in about two weeks. Ended up going with ARM after I hit them up and they said theirs will fit with minor plastic trimming on the front bumper. I'm usuing their charge pipes as well. Buddy of mine is running their intercooler on his IS38 Mk7 GLI and it's great.

[BKozS3]

I will be doing a front mount in about two weeks. Ended up going with ARM after I hit them up and they said theirs will fit with minor plastic trimming on the front bumper. I'm usuing their charge pipes as well. Buddy of mine is running their intercooler on his IS38 Mk7 GLI and it's great.

Ohh this sounds promising. I had thought about going this route or getting an RS3 FMIC and MK7 charge pipes to mate up, but that would be a lot more expensive.

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[texasboy21]

Got so excited someone might be doing an actual FMIC, then I saw it's all just stock placement...

The stock replacements are pretty well documented to out perform an actual FMIC on MQB cars. More volume in the core, more surface area, shorter piping, and better airflow to it.

[MikTip]

The stock replacements are pretty well documented to out perform an actual FMIC on MQB cars. More volume in the core, more surface area, shorter piping, and better airflow to it.

Winner!

[MikTip]

Secret...shhh!

[MikTip]

Also...the lower secondary radiator grills can be opened up for more air flow!

[BenM1013]

Ohh this sounds promising. I had thought about going this route or getting an RS3 FMIC and MK7 charge pipes to mate up, but that would be a lot more expensive.

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I'll let you know how it is. The guys at ARM hooked it up and then sent me a dm about 10 minutes after my order went through and said they'd sent everything out already. Pretty excited for sure.

[BenM1013]

Also...the lower secondary radiator grills can be opened up for more air flow!

Definitely going to do that while I have the honeycomb out!

[BKozS3]

The stock replacements are pretty well documented to out perform an actual FMIC on MQB cars. More volume in the core, more surface area, shorter piping, and better airflow to it.

I'm pretty sure most of the FMIC on the market have similar core volume since they are thicker, and I doubt they out perform a FMIC because they don't have better airflow. A stock located IC is sandwiched between the radiator and AC condenser so they heat soak and get air after its passed through the condenser.

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[BenM1013]

I'm pretty sure most of the FMIC on the market have similar core volume since they are thicker, and I doubt they out perform a FMIC because they don't have better airflow. A stock located IC is sandwiched between the radiator and AC condenser so they heat soak and get air after its passed through the condenser.

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I've heard the same thing that they perform as well as a FMIC, but I wanted to go front mount for heat soak specifically. Figured I'd be better off during the summer out here when it gets up to 110-115.

[MikTip]

I've heard the same thing that they perform as well as a FMIC, but I wanted to go front mount for heat soak specifically. Figured I'd be better off during the summer out here when it gets up to 110-115.

Heat soak...the intercooler can only cool down to ambient temps. So if the outside air is 115...then thats as low as the intercooler can go. I have IE intercooler. Zero heat soak issues. However when the outside air temps go over 100...the engine ECU adjusts boost and fueling. It why the colder winter months are called boost months. Adding an after market intercooler will help...however over 110 all it does is reduce intake charge temps to outside air temps.

[Spinnetti]

... plus, the big flat plate area of the stock configuration ic cools more than a short thick FMIC where the first part of the core just warms the air as it goes through the fat core.. I'm pretty confident a typical nearly square cross section FMIC will not out perform one of the stock configuration. (I did have a FMIC on my A4, and have no issues on my S3 with the thicker stock config aftermarket cooler on my S3, even here in TX summers). FMIC looks cooler though.

[BenM1013]

Heat soak...the intercooler can only cool down to ambient temps. So if the outside air is 115...then thats as low as the intercooler can go. I have IE intercooler. Zero heat soak issues. However when the outside air temps go over 100...the engine ECU adjusts boost and fueling. It why the colder winter months are called boost months. Adding an after market intercooler will help...however over 110 all it does is reduce intake charge temps to outside air temps.

Ah gotcha. Love your car btw🤙

[texasboy21]

I'm pretty sure most of the FMIC on the market have similar core volume since they are thicker, and I doubt they out perform a FMIC because they don't have better airflow. A stock located IC is sandwiched between the radiator and AC condenser so they heat soak and get air after its passed through the condenser.

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There is a lot of testing and research out there contrary to your belief. Might be worth exploring!

[BKozS3]

There is a lot of testing and research out there contrary to your belief. Might be worth exploring!

I haven't looked a ton into this. I have seen that temp drops are quicker, IIRC, on true FMIC vs stock location. Unless there is a limitation of space I am also interested in why the RS# and TTRS use a FMIC and not the sandwiched design of our cars.

[Pharp]

I can tell you that the CTS Turbo FMIC does not have good fitment. It is cheap, but you are gonna have to fight it for hours and do lots of cutting for it to fit correctly.

[FlyboyS4]

Would anybody who has seen or read how one performs better than the other please link to the source data?

I've tried my share of ICs, I'd like to see what work others are doing to answer these questions.

[BenM1013]

Would anybody who has seen or read how one performs better than the other please link to the source data?

I've tried my share of ICs, I'd like to see what work others are doing to answer these questions.

Once I get mine put on next week I'll see if I can get some data for you. Not 100% sure I'll be able to though lol.

[FlyboyS4]

Once I get mine put on next week I'll see if I can get some data for you. Not 100% sure I'll be able to though lol.

Thanks, I’m referring to the performance difference of stock location vs front mount.

ARM is one setup I’ve used, I’m just curious to see the results that others have measured, not theories for why one should outperform the other.

[BenM1013]

Thanks, I’m referring to the performance difference of stock location vs front mount.

ARM is one setup I’ve used, I’m just curious to see the results that others have measured, not theories for why one should outperform the other.

Ah gotcha

[BenM1013]

Quick update. The intercooler/charge pipes/turbo muffler delete are all in! Car drives great! I've noticed the power curve is much different now, a lot more linear and feels like it picks up better down low.

I'll throw some pictures up once I get a chance to clean some stuff up!

[Spinnetti]

Interesting as a bigger IC takes longer to fill and come up to pressure so slightly increases lag - less rather than more linear.

[2015S3]

Daniel and DVB2 just announced theirs and should be out in a few months just in time for summer lol.


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[BKozS3]

Quick update. The intercooler/charge pipes/turbo muffler delete are all in! Car drives great! I've noticed the power curve is much different now, a lot more linear and feels like it picks up better down low.

I'll throw some pictures up once I get a chance to clean some stuff up!

Pics or it didn't happen.

[R1ce]

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccuo3qsDa2S/

[FlyboyS4]

Interesting as a bigger IC takes longer to fill and come up to pressure so slightly increases lag - less rather than more linear.

The change in volume resulting from the IC swap is minuscule in comparison to the volumetric flow rate going to the engine. The differences have been less than run-to-run variation when I have measured boost onset of different ICs. The more linear feel and down low pickup are most likely incorrect perceptions since the ARM IC has a greater pressure drop than the stock intercooler.

Daniel and DVB2 just announced theirs and should be out in a few months just in time for summer lol.


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Replace the OEM front crash bar with one made by DBV2? No thanks.

[BenM1013]

Pics or it didn't happen.

I gotta find time to switch out my front grille before I take good pics

[BenM1013]

[QUOTE=FlyboyS4;14748824]The change in volume resulting from the IC swap is minuscule in comparison to the volumetric flow rate going to the engine. The differences have been less than run-to-run variation when I have measured boost onset of different ICs. The more linear feel and down low pickup are most likely incorrect perceptions since the ARM IC has a greater pressure drop than the stock intercooler.


I'm sure but it just feels better to me lol

[slammin86]

I have a low mile oem rs3 intercooler for sale.