Dual Intercooler Kit... don't seem as popular as FMIC?

[DownhillA4]

I was just searching through the DIYS and found one from 2005 about a Dual Intercooler Kit ( http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40503 )for the B6 from GreedSpeed. Haven't heard many people on this forum talk about installing them, since from what I understand it's a stock OEM part in Europe on their A4's, so why not here? Did a quick google search and found this as well...

"*Audi A4 1.8T (B6, 2002-05)

Another option for reducing intake temperatures can come from an OEM source. In Europe, Audi equips the A4 with a dual intercooler setup from the factory. Since these parts are designed as original equipment, the fit is perfect on US models with zero modifications needed for installation. Another great bonus: for cars with an aftermarket front bumper cover, no modification is necessary when installing the dual intercooler kit. Along with reduced intake temperatures, gains of up to 20 hp can be realized. Contact Greedspeed."-EuropeanCarWeb

So my question is, do you think it's worth the money for someone that doesn't plan on doing a huge turbo upgrade but still get lower temps & feel a minor upgrade in power?

Thanks for any information, thinking about doing this instead of a FMIC... if I can find one.

[davidlizard]

I know Neuspeed has a DSMIC kit for 999$. IMHO you should spend your money on exhaust/test pipe and stage 1+ before going DSMIC and If you have to upgrade the stock one I think you shoud buy a FMIC for less such as race-tec FMIC...

[KraftwerkB6]

I used to run DSMIC with a KO4. Ran fine and does about the same as a FMIC really. But i got a good deal on a black FMIC and could not pass up the offer. its a pretty easy setup.

[Undisputed]

When it comes time for me to do an IC upgrade I may go DSMIC.

[MikTip]

Its not that the dual SMIC is less popular...

Most FMIC's are more "effective" at cooling the air-charge, mainly because of the larger surface area the FMIC's have over the SMIC's.

[jessefrank]

Its not that the dual SMIC is less popular...

Most FMIC's are more "effective" at cooling the air-charge, mainly because of the larger surface area the FMIC's have over the SMIC's.

...and pricing is about the same as FMIC. Another cooling drawback to DSMIC is that it sit's farther back in the engine bay and are more prone to heat soak compared to FMIC. I saw comparison logs on here somewhere w/ a KO4 on a DSMIC and FMIC setup on the same car. The FMIC won the cooling/recovery battle; and that was only a KO4 (and a strung out KO3/ stg 1+ puts out alot of heat; maybe more than KO4).

[CyberPMG]

Back when I got my DSMIC, it was cheaper than most FMIC. Mine is OEM parts from Germany with zero fitment issues. No cutting required. It's a great setup with a Stage 1+ or a K04. With the Ulrasport (that's what had the DSMIC in Europe), you have ducted air flow to each intercooler through each fog light grille. I also like the stealth look.

DSMIC is good for mild upgrades including a K04. Going to a big turbo, you would want to consider a FMIC.

[samaritano]

And were would you source this from? The other OEM SMIC, that is.

[CyberPMG]

Give OEMPl.us a call (www.oempl.us). While they don't show anything on their website, they are able to order parts from Germany.

[DenverNoob]

well, I am going to test DSMIC on my new BT setup. Here is the thing...I actually think on a k03/k04 setup that the DSMIC will actually be tested more than a BT...the reason being that heat produced, lb for lb of air, will actually be higher on a smaller turbo than a larger one. This is not infinate, of course, and at higher PSIs the limits of OEM construction and flow can and will be seen...but at up to say, 25-28lbs I think the DSMIC will do fine. Well know soon enough. those little OEM turbos, time after time, in various applications, have produced far more heat than their larger counterparts.

[Papachristou]

reasons i would not get a DSMIC

cost is same is FMIC
Cooling is not as good (if you see your SMIC in its shroud you will see how little airflow it gets whereas a FMIC is in direct path of the airflow)
plastic end tanks can break/crack under higher pressures
more pressure loss

[ungucpho]

i had the DSMIC when it first came out and it was worth the asking price, 600, at 900-1000, its not worth the cost over a fmic

[Papachristou]

i had the DSMIC when it first came out and it was worth the asking price, 600, at 900-1000, its not worth the cost over a fmic

agreed.. $600 is reasonable but now they are $850-1000

[diztek]

i believe fmic will always have more pressure loss. and the fmic blocks 40% of the radiator. fmic is heavier.

[CyberPMG]

If there was any pressure loss with the DSMIC, it was a fraction of a pound (not noticeable or visible when using a boost gauge). Since it was designed by Audi, it underwent extensive flow testing (using R&D money by Audi AG) to ensure favorable results. The thing to keep in mind is that it was designed for only the mild chip upgrade that the S-Line received in Europe (essentially a Stage 1 setup). It works all the way up to a K04, but is recommended to switch to a FMIC with a larger turbo setup.

[9744RR]

well, I am going to test DSMIC on my new BT setup. Here is the thing...I actually think on a k03/k04 setup that the DSMIC will actually be tested more than a BT...the reason being that heat produced, lb for lb of air, will actually be higher on a smaller turbo than a larger one. This is not infinate, of course, and at higher PSIs the limits of OEM construction and flow can and will be seen...but at up to say, 25-28lbs I think the DSMIC will do fine. Well know soon enough. those little OEM turbos, time after time, in various applications, have produced far more heat than their larger counterparts.

DSMIC is very efficient for what it was designed for. I had the DSMIC with my GTRS kit throughout the winter and beginning of summer 2008. It did well during cool and cold weather but started noticing some slight pinging when outside temps reached about 80f. At that time I replaced it with ASP FMIC and the pinging went away. Comparing the sizes between the ASP FMIC and hte DSMIC, the core thicknesses were the same, but the overall volume of the FMIC was much greater the the DSMIC.

[DenverNoob]

DSMIC is very efficient for what it was designed for. I had the DSMIC with my GTRS kit throughout the winter and beginning of summer 2008. It did well during cool and cold weather but started noticing some slight pinging when outside temps reached about 80f. At that time I replaced it with ASP FMIC and the pinging went away. Comparing the sizes between the ASP FMIC and hte DSMIC, the core thicknesses were the same, but the overall volume of the FMIC was much greater the the DSMIC.

pinging isnt gonna be my issue...I run e85....hehe! I dont disagree I might/will need something more as this tune comes full circle...but I am still interested to really test the limits. Keep in mind that on E85, the amount of fuel squirted into the cyls in many ways decreases the IAT post-intercooler...its about 25% more volume than gas and indeed does have a proven cooling effect. This is why on my k04-15 setup I noticed little difference in power or timing correction logs (on e85) (actually in either case I saw nothing but 0's across the board) as a result.....well its a bit more complicated than that, but you get the point here.

[9744RR]

pinging isnt gonna be my issue...I run e85....hehe! I dont disagree I might/will need something more as this tune comes full circle...but I am still interested to really test the limits. Keep in mind that on E85, the amount of fuel squirted into the cyls in many ways decreases the IAT post-intercooler...its about 25% more volume than gas and indeed does have a proven cooling effect. This is why on my k04-15 setup I noticed little difference in power or timing correction logs (on e85) (actually in either case I saw nothing but 0's across the board) as a result.....well its a bit more complicated than that, but you get the point here.

Oh yeah, I forgot that you did the full e85 conversion. Let us know the results

[DownhillA4]

Thanks for all the information you guys have posted. Seeing the dyno chart of how much the temps actually dropped using the RaceTec FMIC...for just alittle more cash seems to make sense rather then paying about the same for a Dual Intercooler.

Now the quest is on to find the most reasonably priced FMIC(around $800-$1000), that shows true performance gains/temperature drops.

[CaRtharsis]

Would you consider upgrading to a much larger side mount like the Apikol or Tyrolsport? It would retain the stealth look and provide gains in cooling.