Maybe a stupid FMIC question

[JDillon15]

Installed a JHM FMIC a week or so ago. I'm now max boosting at 16 PSI. Prior to the FMIC, it was always ~21 PSI. I've gone through and checked all the hoses twice. Is this PSI drop normal? That seemed pretty significant to me.

[p0isin]

FMIC should not cause a significant decrease in boost pressure.

[IronAudi]

do you notice a substantial drop in power? Have you done a test for boot leaks outside of the IC? have you checked the DV etc etc

[miA4]

Check the FMIC core for cracks

[p0isin]

Do you have data logs from before and after the fmic install to compare? If n75 duty cycle is similar but pressure is significantly lower then you have a boost leak somewhere.

[Jake@JHM]

you got a boost leak somewhere. Did this happen immediately after the install or sometime afterwards?

[JDillon15]

you got a boost leak somewhere. Did this happen immediately after the install or sometime afterwards?

Yeah that's what I figured. Just checked the DV, it's the old school one but no tears. I'll probably just go ahead and replace it because lord knows it'll tear sooner or later.

What do you guys typically tighten the clamps down to? I was going pretty snug but they would still spin. I noticed one of them stripped so I replaced it. And I was also having difficulty lining the turbo side piping up. Seems to not be a super great fit.

I dont know if it was right after install or not. It might not have been RIGHT after, no.

I've also noticed an abnormal amount of oil in the IC, actually on the turbo side piping. I think it leaked a little oil before the FMIC, but never a lot. I don't (prior to FMIC) have any oil consumption issues.

[p0isin]

I tighten T bolt clamps until they are tight enough to prevent any slippage when I try to pull hard on the silicone hose. I'd never use a hose clamp for fmic piping.

[Jake@JHM]

Yeah that's what I figured. Just checked the DV, it's the old school one but no tears. I'll probably just go ahead and replace it because lord knows it'll tear sooner or later.

What do you guys typically tighten the clamps down to? I was going pretty snug but they would still spin. I noticed one of them stripped so I replaced it. And I was also having difficulty lining the turbo side piping up. Seems to not be a super great fit.

I dont know if it was right after install or not. It might not have been RIGHT after, no.

I've also noticed an abnormal amount of oil in the IC, actually on the turbo side piping. I think it leaked a little oil before the FMIC, but never a lot. I don't (prior to FMIC) have any oil consumption issues.

Did you trim the plastic rad support?

If a clamp can spin it is NOT tight enough. Pressure test the system and you will see exactly where the leak is.

Oil in the intercooler is normal but too much isn't a good sign for your turbo.

[JDillon15]

Did you trim the plastic rad support?

If a clamp can spin it is NOT tight enough. Pressure test the system and you will see exactly where the leak is.

Oil in the intercooler is normal but too much isn't a good sign for your turbo.

I said hose clamp, but they're T-clamps.

None of them can spin. They're all pretty snug - maybe too snug.

I doubt it's the turbo. Could be wrong, but I would be surprised. I checked the waste gate rod and it's still very stiff, with no movement.

I'll try a pressure test. Should I go from the intake side or turbo side to pressurize?

I didn't trim the radiator support.

[Jake@JHM]

I said hose clamp, but they're T-clamps.

None of them can spin. They're all pretty snug - maybe too snug.

I doubt it's the turbo. Could be wrong, but I would be surprised. I checked the waste gate rod and it's still very stiff, with no movement.

I'll try a pressure test. Should I go from the intake side or turbo side to pressurize?

I didn't trim the radiator support.

Oh you just said in your earlier post that they were snug, but would still spin.


If your turbo is puking oil, that would explain the low boost. Chances are it's a boost leak still though. Just double check everything and press test it from the turbo inlet.

[JDillon15]

Oh you just said in your earlier post that they were snug, but would still spin.


If your turbo is puking oil, that would explain the low boost. Chances are it's a boost leak still though. Just double check everything and press test it from the turbo inlet.

Oh, I meant the bolt. Now that makes more sense. The clamps themselves are all very snug.

And what is it on the radiator support that I need to trim? There's nothing interfering with the fitment of the FMIC, am I missing something?

[Jake@JHM]

Oh, I meant the bolt. Now that makes more sense. The clamps themselves are all very snug.

And what is it on the radiator support that I need to trim? There's nothing interfering with the fitment of the FMIC, am I missing something?

What FMIC did you go with? I can't seem to find your order.



The second photo shows the little bit of trimming that needs to be done on the radiator support so that the charge pipe can have a nice flowing motion to the intercooler.

https://jhmotorsports.com/products/pictures/FMIC/B7-A4-20T/JHM-B7-A4-20T-FMIC-Installation-Pictures.pdf

[JDillon15]

What FMIC did you go with? I can't seem to find your order.



The second photo shows the little bit of trimming that needs to be done on the radiator support so that the charge pipe can have a nice flowing motion to the intercooler.

https://jhmotorsports.com/products/pictures/FMIC/B7-A4-20T/JHM-B7-A4-20T-FMIC-Installation-Pictures.pdf

The small core. I bought it off a member.


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[Jake@JHM]

The small core. I bought it off a member.


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What all did you get with the kit?

[JDillon15]

What all did you get with the kit?

T-clamps, pipes, core. I did the old bend up technique for the power steering cooler.


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[Jake@JHM]

Yeah you likely just need to trim the rad support for the intercooler pipe to fit correctly like the instructions state.

[JDillon15]

Yeah you likely just need to trim the rad support for the intercooler pipe to fit correctly like the instructions state.

Alright, I'll do that this weekend. Thanks a bunch Jake. And worse case, I'll just HAVE to get your guy's stage 3 if my turbo is going out. [evilsmile]

[Jake@JHM]

Alright, I'll do that this weekend. Thanks a bunch Jake. And worse case, I'll just HAVE to get your guy's stage 3 if my turbo is going out. [evilsmile]

Oh poor you!!! [:D]

[JDillon15]

Oh poor you!!! [:D]

well I already have the FMIC. Just need to do exhaust and then the kit. Baby steps.. baby steps.

[AJacksA4]

You could try pressurizing just the intercooler to see if theres a leak somewhere in the piping. Then you would rule out if the issue is from the installation of the IC and work from there.

[JDillon15]

Well I just went through all the hoses clamps for the third time, trimmed the rad support, and looked for any obvious leaks. I found none. I mean, am I just expecting to get ~16 psi now? I don't necessary recognize significant power loss. It is also ~32 degrees around here. And I'm on APR's tune, which isn't super aggressive either.

What about the T-clamps. I feel like I can tighten them forever and they dont get tighter. None of them can spin and I can pull on the piping without movement. I assume I"m tight enough?

I could go back to stock IC and see if I jump back up to ~20 psi spikes. Just seems like a lot of work since the only issue I'm having is the boost number. No CELs or anything.

[Andrew149]

Well I just went through all the hoses clamps for the third time, trimmed the rad support, and looked for any obvious leaks. I found none. I mean, am I just expecting to get ~16 psi now? I don't necessary recognize significant power loss. It is also ~32 degrees around here. And I'm on APR's tune, which isn't super aggressive either.

What about the T-clamps. I feel like I can tighten them forever and they dont get tighter. None of them can spin and I can pull on the piping without movement. I assume I"m tight enough?

I could go back to stock IC and see if I jump back up to ~20 psi spikes. Just seems like a lot of work since the only issue I'm having is the boost number. No CELs or anything.
Possible the DV just started leaking.

Sent from my Moto X Pure.

[JDillon15]

Possible the DV just started leaking.

Sent from my Moto X Pure.

I checked the DV. Couldn't find any tears. It is the rubber one, though. I was thinking of getting the updated one just because it'll eventually break.

[Andrew149]

I checked the DV. Couldn't find any tears. It is the rubber one, though. I was thinking of getting the updated one just because it'll eventually break.
I would try to pressurize the intercooler like ajacks said, might need to get cleaver with a air compressor. Also did you just all the hose like the one going to your boost gauge.

Sent from my Moto X Pure.

[JDillon15]

I would try to pressurize the intercooler like ajacks said, might need to get cleaver with a air compressor. Also did you just all the hose like the one going to your boost gauge.

Sent from my Moto X Pure.

Didn't check the boost gauge. That was on before the FMIC install, but might be a good idea to check. I need to grab a different piece of PVC. I think the one i have is 2.5 inches and goes over the turbo piping, I need it to go on the inside so I can clamb down to it.

For the air compressor, I was just preloading to ~15 psi and then clipping in. Once, I get the PVC, shouldn't be super difficult.

[vce1232000]

Maybe thats how that particular fmic core psi flows[confused]. It woulnt hurt to go back to stock smic's and just verify the psi loss to [o_o]

[JDillon15]

Maybe thats how that particular fmic core psi flows[confused]. It woulnt hurt to go back to stock smic's and just verify the psi loss to [o_o]

That'll have to happen in the spring. To cold for that crap now ^_^

[Jake@JHM]

Yeah could be a failing boost gauge. The fmic won't cause the boost drop like that

[Solarsuplex]

Don't know if its helpful but there is a plastic tube that goes from the PCV to the intake mani and when it gets cold that plastic is brittle. See if there are any hairline cracks in it.

[JDillon15]

Don't know if its helpful but there is a plastic tube that goes from the PCV to the intake mani and when it gets cold that plastic is brittle. See if there are any hairline cracks in it.

I'll check that as well. I should probably just pull the whole FMIC and pressure test it in a bucket of water or something. ^_^


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[Solarsuplex]

Or live with the 16psi on Apr. the time you'll spend hunting for this 5 psi could have been at work making ot and putting you closer to an exhaust and testpipe which will make your car feel much peppier than that last 5psi ever did.

[Andrew149]

Why are you running Apr!!!!! JHM 93 hpfp tune is so much fun.

Sent from my Moto X Pure.

[JDillon15]

Why are you running Apr!!!!! JHM 93 hpfp tune is so much fun.

Sent from my Moto X Pure.

Car came with APR. Just haven't spent the money to switch.

[JDillon15]

Yeah could be a failing boost gauge. The fmic won't cause the boost drop like that

You may have been right.

https://vimeo.com/146600039

Can't really hear the engine, but the psi drops when I floor it. There was definitely boost.


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