EuroCode TRUfit Silicone Intercooler Hose Kit Review

[EuroEclipse]

Sooooooo.... Here's my review and install notes of the EuroCode TRUfit Silicone Intercooler Hose Kit.

I won't be including pictures because UPS showed up at 8pm last night and I don't have a shop light in my garage. I installed this using only my flashlight and a single light bulb that didn't even light up what was needed to see.

Fit: 10/10 (Fits perfectly with no gaps or crimped tubes or clearance issues.)
Finish: 10/10 (Looks good for a silicone hose kit. I like the near stock appearance to the untrained eye. The turbo adapter is a work of art that I hated getting covered in oil.)
Ease of install: 8/10 (for larger hands because I had to contort my arms in ways I didn't know was possible. Otherwise, it's very easy to install)
Performance: 10/10 (Does exactly what they advertise. It frees up the restrictive areas in the intercooler piping and the car feels VERY smooth while driving. The turbo spools much quicker. I'm located over 6500ft ASL, so it made a nice difference for me.)
Company: 10/10 (Communication throughout the entire process is amazing. Even after the order, any concerns were answered very promptly. It's not the first time I've ordered through EC, and it definitely won't be the last.)


Things needed to install:

Ratchet set
7mm socket
Extension set
Torx 30
Flathead screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
Sound proof garage for when you smash your knuckles into the oil pan
Shop towels
Standard allen key set


Note: I installed this using my factory hose clamps.

Step 1

Install the easiest pipe, the upper pipe. Take off your plastic engine cover to gain access to the throttle body and the first hose clamp. Loosen the hose clamps using a 7mm socket or flathead screwdriver. I recommend the 7mm socket. Gently pull the top of the hose off of the throttle body first. This makes it easier to take off the bottom portion of the hose that connects to the (ugly factory Lower Intercooler pipe with stupid sound box/awesome EuroCode High Flow Lower Intercooler Pipe.) <****- insert what you have here.

Next, take your new upper pipe and connect the bottom portion to your chosen LICP. Putting the bottom portion in first makes it easier to align the top portion of the pipe and fit it in. Insert the top portion and align your hose clamps for easy access to the head of the clamp. Tighten the clamps using the 7mm socket to ensure a secure fit. Nothing sucks worse than omping on the gas and your intercooler pipe blows off. It sounds like a shotgun and your car just dies. (Trust me, I know from experience on multiple cars. That's when I learned to use a socket to tighten the clamps.)

Step 2

Jack up the front of your car and set it on jack stands, or use a lift if you have access to one. Take off your plastic guard and set it to the side. If you are using jack stands, you don't have to remove the entire guard. I just slid mine out of the way by leaving the back portion bolted up.

Step 3

Loosen the clamps to the bottom portion of your lower intercooler pipe. I recommend taking the "right" portion off first. (The piece that connect to the ECode HFICP/ugly stock ICP) Be prepared to use your shop towels to catch the oil that will come out of the pipe. Next, turn the pipe so that the disconnected portion can be pulled to aid in getting the other part off. Install in the same order because the part of the pipe nearest to the bumper is a tight fit for people with larger hands. Once again, use your 7mm socket to tighten the clamps.

Step 4

Loosen the clamp closest to the turbo outlet and remove the top portion. Use a shop towel to catch some of the oil that may slowly drip out. There shouldn't be much if anything at all. Loosen the clamp on the bottom portion of the hose and bending the top of the hose towards the oil pan, pull the bottom part of the hose out. Note: You will have a very hard time removing the bottom portion if you don't do it this way.
Using an allen key, loosen the bolts that hold the turbo to pipe adapter. They should be faily easy to remove. Be careful not to lose the gasket that will be on the adapter!! Install the new, bigger EuroCode adapter and torque the bolts down with the allen key. Install the new pipe in reverse order and tighten the clamps using the 7mm socket.


Step 5
Replace your plastic underbody guard and lower your vehicle from the jackstands/lift. Start your vehicle and let it idle for about 10-15minutes to warm up and check for leaks, or pipes popping off. If all is well, take it for a test drive in a safe area. Step on the gas as you would normally drive, making sure that the pipes are still connected. Next, step on the gas, preferably at WOT. Make sure the pipes don't pop off. You'll know when it happens... It sounds like a shotgun and your car will shut off. This is why I said test drive it in a safe area.

If all is well, enjoy your faster spooling turbo and the added horsepower that you just freed up from the restrictive stock pipes and adapter.


I'll be posting a video later when I get a chance to hook up my GoPro. Overall, I'm throroughly pleased with the product. The value was great in price, quality and customer service. Please feel free to ask me any questions about install, overall impressions, or anything else you may want to know.

[Speycaster]

Nice write-up thanks. I just put my deposit down, but will have to wait for the group buy to close to see the kit. The anticipation is killing me.

[EuroEclipse]

Nice write-up thanks. I just put my deposit down, but will have to wait for the group buy to close to see the kit. The anticipation is killing me.

Thanks. I know the feeling about the wait, but I can assure you that it's definitely worth it. If you have any questions let me know.

[WantaA4]

Nice write up... It will come in handy this weekend!

[EuroEclipse]

Thanks, man. I replied to your PM. Let me know if you need help and I can walk you through it all.

[Highlander1010]

Any pictures to add to the content?

[EuroEclipse]

I took some for reference sake on my iPhone. I didn't think anyone would want to see them because they look exactly like the product photos.

[MiracleWhips]

Thanks for the great writeup. Certain to sell a few more of these kits!

[EuroEclipse]

Update: day 2 of driving with the kit on. I took the car up to an undisclosed mph and the pipes held on great. The car felt very smooth through the power band with no hesitation under all driving conditions. Being at my current altitude, that's amazing. The car used to shudder when I stepped on the gas, but not anymore.

[speedtrip]

sweet! thanks for the writeup and glad the product meets expectations.

[maga4]

Thanks for the review! All of your tipis and info on the install is motivating me more. Sounds like it is doable for a novice like me ha.

[EuroEclipse]

sweet! thanks for the writeup and glad the product meets expectations.

Any time.

Thanks for the review! All of your tipis and info on the install is motivating me more. Sounds like it is doable for a novice like me ha.

Glad I could help. The video will be up this weekend. We're getting 70mph gusts of wind right now and I don't want to risk losing my GoPro to the beach ball sized tumble weeds blowing around right now.

[maga4]

Just ordered mine! Did you take off the bumper too? If not, would you recommend doing so? Thank you agian for the write up and being the first to take the plunge!

[EuroEclipse]

Just ordered mine! Did you take off the bumper too? If not, would you recommend doing so? Thank you agian for the write up and being the first to take the plunge!

I left the bumper on. You can access everything with just the splash tray off. Let me know if you need help. I've called a couple guys to help out.

[maga4]

I left the bumper on. You can access everything with just the splash tray off. Let me know if you need help. I've called a couple guys to help out.

Thank you! It shipped today and should be here for this weekend so hopefully can get it installed...

[maga4]

Got the kit installed earlier this afternoon, was really easy, and I am pretty novice with modding. Did take the bumper off and feel it made everything easier to get to...good investment of time in my opinion.

As far as fit and quality - top notch! It is incredible how much more solid these silicon hoses are vs the stock ones. The stock ones take almost no effort to smash. These hoses are way more rigid, fit perfect, and look good!

For performance - I definitely noticed much smoother (and a bit quicker) throttle response and a little more turbo sound. It will be interesting to see what it is like with the hficp that should show up next week. For the cost, would absolutely say it was worth it! Adds to the fun level of driving for sure...Nice job again Eurocode!

[brinesi]

Got the kit installed earlier this afternoon, was really easy, and I am pretty novice with modding. Did take the bumper off and feel it made everything easier to get to...good investment of time in my opinion.

As far as fit and quality - top notch! It is incredible how much more solid these silicon hoses are vs the stock ones. The stock ones take almost no effort to smash. These hoses are way more rigid, fit perfect, and look good!

For performance - I definitely noticed much smoother (and a bit quicker) throttle response and a little more turbo sound. It will be interesting to see what it is like with the hficp that should show up next week. For the cost, would absolutely say it was worth it! Adds to the fun level of driving for sure...Nice job again Eurocode!

Did you raise the car or just take off the bumper?

[maga4]

Did you raise the car or just take off the bumper?

Raised it up too. If not lowered, could possibly get it done. I didnt really even have to strain at all with it lifted and the bumper off.

[jjpitaly]

I just put the kit on as well as the HFIP, and it's all amazing. I dont recommend taking the front bumper off to do the work, just because those damn fender bolts are such a PITA, and everything is very accessible with the bumper still on. Anyways, great job yet again EC!

[brinesi]

I just put the kit on as well as the HFIP, and it's all amazing. I dont recommend taking the front bumper off to do the work, just because those damn fender bolts are such a PITA, and everything is very accessible with the bumper still on. Anyways, great job yet again EC!

Hmmm, but as someone who has taken their bumper off like 5 times now for different grill swaps and changes, I have just the right extender arm on my wrench so I can do it in like 5 minutes now. Wonder if it's possible to install with only the bumper off but lowered on HR OEs...

On another subject - I don't understand why Audi wouldn't have had piping and the inlet from the factory just like this kit provides. Is it an economies of scale thing where these hoses needed to fit many different applications so they had to come up with one diameter and inlet to be able to just mass produce the same parts across several lines? It's not something obvious like an aftermarket intake where the factory box is typically restrictive to keep the engine noise down or the same with aftermarket header / exhaust vs factory, again to keep noise down and meet emissions standards - this just seems too straightforward. It doesn't add any extra engine wear or tear on any part, it's just less restriction...

[maga4]

Yeah, as I mentioned, I was shocked at how crappy and flimsy the stock piping is. Who knows, but just got back from a longer "normal" drive and definitely do feel the difference. Much smoother throttle and power response now. I have a 10 inch extension from ACE Hardware for $5 that works perfect...took about 10 min to get the bumper off (3 min of which was trying to hold it up and disconnect the fogs after I already had it off haha (at least I remembered the homelink this time..)).

As far as being able to install without raising it with the bumper off, I would say you could do it, but would be tougher. Probably the biggest challenge would be getting the bottom splash guard deal off - past that it would just be how you aligned you clamps.

[STA4]

Yeah, as I mentioned, I was shocked at how crappy and flimsy the stock piping is. Who knows, but just got back from a longer "normal" drive and definitely do feel the difference. Much smoother throttle and power response now. I have a 10 inch extension from ACE Hardware for $5 that works perfect...took about 10 min to get the bumper off (3 min of which was trying to hold it up and disconnect the fogs after I already had it off haha (at least I remembered the homelink this time..)).

As far as being able to install without raising it with the bumper off, I would say you could do it, but would be tougher. Probably the biggest challenge would be getting the bottom splash guard deal off - past that it would just be how you aligned you clamps.

So, you put your car on jack stands, removed both wheels, then the fender liners (2 screws, 6 clips on each side) and the front bumper to install?

[maga4]

So, you put your car on jack stands, removed both wheels, then the fender liners (2 screws, 6 clips on each side) and the front bumper to install?

Jack stands and bumper removed, left wheels on - to get the bumper off just turned the wheels all the way and then undid the two screws and pulled back the fender liner (didn't need to get the clips off as can easily fit back there without doing so). As others have mentioned, could do it with the bumper on, but for me it just made it easier and I think total time was the same or less due to easier access to things.

[STA4]

Jack stands and bumper removed, left wheels on - to get the bumper off just turned the wheels all the way and then undid the two screws and pulled back the fender liner (didn't need to get the clips off as can easily fit back there without doing so). As others have mentioned, could do it with the bumper on, but for me it just made it easier and I think total time was the same or less due to easier access to things.

Thanks, I think I'll do the same as well. I'd rather spend the time to take the bumper off and not have to work in a tight spot. I'll be installing the HFIP and have to mount my HID ballasts as well.

In the Eurocode FMIC install document, they say to remove those 6 plastic clips, so this isn't necessary to remove the bumper?

[maga4]

Thanks, I think I'll do the same as well. I'd rather spend the time to take the bumper off and not have to work in a tight spot. I'll be installing the HFIP and have to mount my HID ballasts as well.

In the Eurocode FMIC install document, they say to remove those 6 plastic clips, so this isn't necessary to remove the bumper?

Nope, you can do it with just the two screws and then bend the fender liner back a bit...kind of a tight fit but definitely doable. Sounds like you are smarter than me and are putting them all in at once ha...wish I would have just waited a week for the HFIP to show up. Oh well.

[ets141]

Anybody hazard to guess what the HP and torque gains would be on this if you were running stage I.

[ModBargains II]

Let's see some pics or it never happened!

[maga4]

Anybody hazard to guess what the HP and torque gains would be on this if you were running stage I.

My understanding is that it doesn't add any power/tq, just allows the power to come on smoother. Can tell boost comes a bit quicker, and throttle response a bit too. Didn't really test it too much without the inlet pipe and the high flow ic pipe - definitely worth it when you have the whole 'kit' though.

[Highlander1010]

Great review! I ordered mine yesterday, but it is in a 3-4 week backorder. Oh well...I'll get it soon enough. Then I'll have a full day of engine partying since I have a lot of parts in my garage waiting to go in.

[EuroEclipse]

Let's see some pics or it never happened!

LOL! I'll text them to you. What's your number?

Great review! I ordered mine yesterday, but it is in a 3-4 week backorder. Oh well...I'll get it soon enough. Then I'll have a full day of engine partying since I have a lot of parts in my garage waiting to go in.

Thanks. They are a very popular mod to do, so they sold a bunch of units. You'll certainly enjoy all of your mods. I'd wait to install the ECIC kit just so you can appreciate the difference they make.

[ets141]

I am going to go with the AWE intercooler or a TR6 with modified pipe nipples to fit the factory tubing. I want to be able to easily swap the intercooler out if there are any problems with my car to avoid suspision w/ regards to nullifying the warrenty. I did verify and all tubing upgrades do not void your warrenty. I bought the EuroCode Tuning High Flow Intercooler Pipe, TRUFit Silicone Intercooler Hose Kit & TRUFit Silicone Turbo Inlet Hose last night. This should keep me ocupied for a little while. CAN'T WAIT!

[auditd0rk]

Great write-up , I installed my kit today. I ended up taking off the bumper since I couldn't get to a couple of the hose clamps to loosen them. It didn't add too much time since I took the bumper off once before to change out the grill. As I reinstalled the bumper, I noticed it would have been easier to leave it on and just pull back the fender liner to access the hard-to-reach hose clamps - live and learn, I suppose.

Overall, I'm happy with the kit: Acceleration feels a tad smoother and the hoses are noticeably higher quality than the stock hoses, which are pretty flimsy.

[Highlander1010]

I've got mine now plus the turbo pipe kit, but no time to install yet...sigh.