Like a glove.........[FMIC content]

[marfcus]

I've been playing around with idea of a fmic for a while now and have had the core, piping, clamps, etc. sitting around my house for quite some time so i finally decided to piece it together. I've been reading all the fmic and gathering all the info i could to make it easier. After seeing the JHM fmic and realized you could really make it all fit and not have to ditch all the grille mesh i was determined to make it work.

Took me about 7 hours to complete everything and get it to fit the way i wanted. Everything i got off of ebay. Core is from CXracing along with the piping. I decided to go with 2" out of the turbo and then from the intercooler to bi-pipe went with 2.25" to eliminate the old side mount hoses which make some tight bends in a short area and definitely seem restrictive. I didn't want to deal with hoses and clamps everywhere either so i welded everything solid. The only places i have had trouble with the pipes popping out is from the hoses that come off the turbo so i welded a bead on those and have since been fine. I really think that the key to making it fit behind the grilles is you have a 45 degree angle coming right out of the reducer on the core. Probably going to paint the pipes black soon too just to make it even more sleeper.







Also went ahead and cut out behind the front plate cover for whenever i feel the need to optimum air flow to the core. But for everyday it's nice to just snap in the cover and go stealth.







Here's a little IAT graph from the other day. 80F and 80% humidity. I'm pretty happy and impressed considering the stock ICs would start at 110 - 120 and climb past 140 easily in 70F weather at the same boost levels. The car is definitely faster! Way more consistent and seems to be smoother. All in all i'm pleased with how everything turned out.

[nvrfollow]

You are the man

[AudiSportB5S4]

wow, AWESOME job!

[andream88]

Awesome job man!!

[tike0rz]

Wow! Seeing this is definitely a motivation towards the much cheaper, efficient FMIC. I was going to go to ER route a while back, but seeing that these are just as good I plan on buying the JHM kit when it comes out.

[BlackS4TT(Josh)]

Nice work man! It looks like you didn't even have to shave the mesh to clear the IC endtanks. How much space do you have in between the intercooler core and the A/C condensor?

[Dr.Duct]

See.. Like ive said 100 times.. With a little time, thought and a little creative bug, it will fit fine.. Good job bro!

[highPSI-S4]

Fucking awesome, now all i need to do is clean mine up. The cleanist ebay frountmount by far.

Good job

[Overboostin]

looks great! Can you take some pictures with the bumper off? Maybe a little writeup?

[marfcus]

Thanks for all the compliments guys

Nice work man! It looks like you didn't even have to shave the mesh to clear the IC endtanks. How much space do you have in between the intercooler core and the A/C condensor?

You are right, did not have to shave the mesh at to clear the endtanks . The only place that i shaved a little off of was the driver side lower mes and that's because it's the 2.25" pipe. If it was a 2" pipe i don't think you would have to shave anything off off. I probably have about a 1/2" between the core and condensor. Oh yeah check your PMs, it's regarding the ECU. Thanks Josh

looks great! Can you take some pictures with the bumper off? Maybe a little writeup?

I have some pictures of everything with bumper off but it's from the first day i worked on it so only the passenger side was welded and part of the driver side but i will post them anyways. I will get a hold of the camera soon and get some shots with everything welded. I was thinking about a write up but i'm not sure if i will or not but i don't mind answering questions about how i put it together and what i used

[Kruat]

That looks great, any hope of saving foglights?

[WingsnHorns]

Great work!

[GramCracker]

I LOVE THE THREAD TITLE!!!!! Ace Ventura anyone?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3nOxdKcqC_I

[Rated S]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cqqGudikB7E

[GramCracker]

^^^ I technically beat you

[Rated S]

^^^ I technically beat you

I posted that because you posted #1.

You beat me? What is this, VWVortex?

[GramCracker]

I posted that because you posted #1.

You beat me? What is this, VWVortex?

Hahaha the first one is sooo much better. Don't even kid yourself!

(I'd have no idea what vortex is like. I hate that place)

[marfcus]

That looks great, any hope of saving foglights?

Yes! Believe it or not the driver side fog fits but you have to turn connector vertical. Passenger side fog was a close fit but i need to tighten the bend on the passenger side lower to make it fit. I'm probably just going to go with after market fogs though. I believe BlackS4TT (josh) has the stock grilles, mesh, and fogs still in place with his FMIC setup.

I LOVE THE THREAD TITLE!!!!! Ace Ventura anyone?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3nOxdKcqC_I

Glad someone caught onto it

[Matt@JHM]

That looks awesome... very clean install.

Nice IAT numbers too, that eBay core is surprisingly good.

[lsc2g]

great job!! sleeper status ftw!

[Overboostin]

I can't wait to see some pictures without the bumper. It will help out installation a lot.

[generationjdm]

Nice job, but I haven't seen 1 ebay cooler at the track or on the dyno really get lower then 145 ait most were in the upper 150sss on 50-60 days....

[panix73]

great job!

[marfcus]

I can't wait to see some pictures without the bumper. It will help out installation a lot.

I should have those pictures by tomorrow. Just need to get them off my gf's camera

[MiniRS4]

looks clean kid. nice work. you clamp everything down well? you pressure test it for leaks? its such a PITA when the pipes blow off, but after you clamp them down, it should be a go.

[WMi_S4]

wow man, that is probably the cleanest FMIC install i've seen yet, w/ the grills in and everything, great job!!!

[S4M3]

I need Aluminum welder .... :)

[SilverBiturboS4]

its looks very nice. I like how u kept the Front plate filler there for stealth mode and was able to take it off for more air flow and track mode. wanna do mines for me? Ill pay. haha

[Bimmer2Audi]

Very nice, congrats.

[awdbiturbo]

beautifull two thumbs up

[casawhites4]

i vote write-up!!!! :-D and great job on that one..

[Dr.Duct]

One thing people may also want to note, is that he used alot smaller piping and that also gave him mroe clearance. Mostly everyone that is running 2.5" that goes to 2", will prolly be able to pop the grills back in. Making 2.5" work sucks, but can be done with a little time. I came out with alot of scarpes and scratches on my hands though. lol

[gointoscott]

I generally like the SMIC better because of the stock look. But this does look good. But gotta get those fog lights in there. Post up some pic's when you get the aftermarket ones in you were talking about.

[Overboostin]

bump for pics!

[sean1.8t]

very clean! one of the best FMIC installs/fitment i've seen on an S4 so far

[BastardS4]

http://images2.rdefined.com/d/81395-2/CAR+012.jpg

Get a haircut, hippy.

[Overboostin]

[marfcus]

http://images2.rdefined.com/d/81395-2/CAR+012.jpg

Get a haircut, hippy.

My chef's cap for FTL

Anyway here's some pics of everything when it was half finished and not fully welded but you get the idea.

















Some fine examples on the lower pipe of measure twice cut once

















Shaved a little off the bottom grille for a little more clearance

[Overboostin]

looks great! thanks for the pictures. what piping kit did you get?

[marfcus]

looks great! thanks for the pictures. what piping kit did you get?

Exact kits here Got the core from the CXRacing also

CXracing 2"

CXracing 2.25"