AWE FMIC install (stealth mode)...

[EuroA4]

I sent out the core and pipes to Swain Tech Coatings in NY for their propriatary BBE (Black Body Emitter) coating. "BBE coating is applied to help pull heat out of base metal. BBE is commonly used on intercoolers, air cooled cylinders, air cooled heads and brake calipers. Though the primary purpose of the coating is to improve cooling, the coating does offer a durable semi-gloss black finish." -Swain Tech Coatings. I also sprayed the power steering cooler with "satin radiator black" from Eastwood Co. to match the intercoolers satin black stealthy look.

Install was straight forward, fitment was great and there is no trimming or cutting involved to fit the bumper or fog grills. AWE comes through again!!

Due to the rainy weather today, I didn't get a great chance to really test performance, but initially seems to spool a bit faster and only lost maybe 1psi in pressure drop.

Progression:








Detail:





Photo Shoot:

[Quattro]

very very veryyyy nice...How much did the coating cost? I was thinking of doing that...

sick avant!

[IceMole]

awesome +rep

[cstarky15]

SIIIIIICK. that looks sweet. what did it run you?

[autoverruckt]

God is toying with me...what's up with all these hot black avants struttin' around here!

(I want a black avant!)

[EUROTEK//S4]

looks good! I don't think the B7 A4 front bumper looks good with FMIC exposed...IMO

[Louis J.]

Nice work. Please post once you've had some seat time on the car. I think an FMIC is in the cards for me.

[Sly Raskal]

Very nice! Love the stealth look! I wish this was an option that came with the AWE kit for that want the stealth look and also to see if the coating affects performance in anyway.

[EuroA4]

Thanks guys, really appreciate it! Cost was $295. I'll follow up with driving impressions in a few days.

[Geoffafa]

IMO... if u spend the money on a FMIC. why not show it off a little bit... almost everyone knows the cars already turbo'd. I would completely understand if u drove a civic, and tried to hide the fact u were boosting by having an "enlarged radiator" lol. maybe the paints cooling purposes might offset my opinion, but i dont really think paint will make THAT much of a difference for me to paint it... and either way u have an rs4 grill.... show that shit off dude!

[Glassnpowder98]

^^^ Agreed. When I save enough and when someone comes out with an rs4 grille for non s-line I'm getting the grille and FMIC. There is someone on here with a quartz grey B7 (sorry can't remember your name) with the AWE FMIC showing through; definitely my favorite car.

But Euroa4, your car is looking real nice and I'm super jealous. Job well done!

[akasch]

your car is sexy!!!

[Allan T]

That's hot

[VZWalex]

love the stealth!! I think it looks great!

[mrmeth90]

sick ride!!, intercooler is tight but i would have went with a different color piping to atleast show that off.

[DownUnderSLine]

Nice work ! Great detailed pics - Thanks for sharing

[Auditude2.0T]

I paid alot for an intercooler lol im showing it off.

[SEXICÄN]

all these people modding their cars is making want to mod mine again! I have been saving to buy a house, but i'm starting to rethink this!!!!

[Sly Raskal]

I think the number of comments about showing it off is hilarious. Just because you spend money on something doesn't warrant the need to show it off. It begs the question, Is that the reason why you bought the car in the first place and mod it?

Personally, I could care less what others think of my car, or what they think of what I've done to my car. Also, like the OP did to his intercooler, it's a clean simple look and much props for doing it. IMHO, the sleeper look is more rewarding to me than announcing to everyone "Hey I have an intercooler, don't even think about trying to race me" or "Hey I have an intercooler, give me props and respect because I spent money on this" lol. Especially considering when you talk to people and they ask what you've done to your car and all you have to do is pop the hood and see the surprised look on their face.

[Regina_TT]

Well put, Sly.

Beautiful mod, EuroA4!

[Turn10]

Are you going to tint your lights then?

[EuroA4]

Drove a bit more today and the car felt strong! Temps today were between 75-85 with low humidity...so I don't think even a stock intercooler would have heat soak with normal driving. So I ripped around some backroads for at least 30 min. and the car continued to pull hard and maintained solid boost. The car peaks at 21psi, settles to 19-20..and then drops down to maybe 16-17 at higher rpms when the K03 reaches its max. I hope to get a VAG soon...and I should be able to log some temps, boost, etc.

As for the style of raw aluminum vs. the BBE coating...I just wanted to keep the FMIC less noticable and originally considered getting it anodized, then found the swain coating to actually have a performance advantage (however small it may be). To each their own though...I've seen some cars that look great with the raw or polished pipes and core showing. If everyone did things the same being an enthusiast would suck! :)


I think its cool to see new styles, new ideas and differences between those of us that are enthusiasts.

[yettavr6]

all these people modding their cars is making want to mod mine again! I have been saving to buy a house, but i'm starting to rethink this!!!!

No, buy a house...now's a great time to buy :)

[golfvdude]

Car looks great! I definitely like the stealth look. Buddy of mine did the same to his setup on his rsx. I have the same jack! Too bad i'm on my third one. They don't seem to hold up well.

[yettavr6]

I like the stealth look, but i can still see the hose clamps

[Sly Raskal]

I like the stealth look, but i can still see the hose clamps

You give a mouse a cookie, geez!

[yettavr6]

Hey, i dont have any money to mod my car, so i have to bust the balls of those that do LOL

[Sly Raskal]

Hey, i dont have any money to mod my car, so i have to bust the balls of those that do LOL

well that's what you get for buying an audi and a bimmer. You shouldn't have bought the bimmer to begin with.

[yettavr6]

hahah, i didn't. Its not my car, and i didn;t put one penny towards it. Its leased anyway, but i get to drive it when the other half gets too drunk. I actually shouldn't have spent so much money on my VW before i sold it :(

[Sly Raskal]

Any updates? how's the intercooler working for you with it being painted? any problems?

[m5racer]

I too agree that if you spend the money might as well show off the FMIC. I lvoe they way they look. Mine is liek a half sealth/visable beucase the grills kind of hide it unless you looking at it head on. + eveyone already assumes they are turbo anyways

[A4RingPimp]

Damn, I want to this so F@#king bad!

[harryd14]

i love the look of the stealth intercooler... its much less visible to the normal person, but a true enthusiast will still notice the piping running through the fog inlets and be able to see that you have a FMIC in your car... i think it is a job well done, props man, love the look!!!

[brownishwater]

I think the number of comments about showing it off is hilarious. Just because you spend money on something doesn't warrant the need to show it off. It begs the question, Is that the reason why you bought the car in the first place and mod it?

Personally, I could care less what others think of my car, or what they think of what I've done to my car. Also, like the OP did to his intercooler, it's a clean simple look and much props for doing it. IMHO, the sleeper look is more rewarding to me than announcing to everyone "Hey I have an intercooler, don't even think about trying to race me" or "Hey I have an intercooler, give me props and respect because I spent money on this" lol. Especially considering when you talk to people and they ask what you've done to your car and all you have to do is pop the hood and see the surprised look on their face.

x2

Who the F cares whether people can see the intercooler or not. Using that logic, if someone spends $3000 on a BAT, are they supposed to mount it on top of the intake and drive without a hood so everyone can see it??

After seeing this, I think Im gonna do the same thing. The black intercooler and pipes look amazing

[A4RingPimp]

x2

Who the F cares whether people can see the intercooler or not. Using that logic, if someone spends $3000 on a BAT, are they supposed to mount it on top of the intake and drive without a hood so everyone can see it??

After seeing this, I think Im gonna do the same thing. The black intercooler and pipes look amazing

Lmao! x2

[golfvdude]

[QUOTE=m5racer;3625280]I too agree that if you spend the money might as well show off the FMIC. I lvoe they way they look. Mine is liek a half sealth/visable beucase the grills kind of hide it unless you looking at it head on. + eveyone already assumes they are turbo anyways

That's great if you have a shorter intercooler showing from under the rebar. With the AWE, I think it looks best coated because without the coating, the intercooler will be showing through 3/4 of the grill. I think that just looks off to me. I prefer buying an intercooler for the performance aspects and the looks are just a bonus.

[jmars]

^^^ Agreed. When I save enough and when someone comes out with an rs4 grille for non s-line I'm getting the grille and FMIC. There is someone on here with a quartz grey B7 (sorry can't remember your name) with the AWE FMIC showing through; definitely my favorite car.

But Euroa4, your car is looking real nice and I'm super jealous. Job well done!

When the hell is someone coming out with an RS4 grill for a Nonsline

[golfvdude]

When the hell is someone coming out with an RS4 grill for a Nonsline

Probably never. And if it does, it would most likely look cheap.

[A4ringedONE8T]

While I agree with typically showing off a FMIC, the AWE FMIC is way too big and looks like shit in the standard visible silver. While it does perform well, with its design, its much better black IMO. Nice job

[audidrver]

One day I will be getting this intercooler, and will probably be doing this.