New A4 owner looking for cooling options

**AZUltra** · 09-09-2009 06:44 PM

I recently purchased an 04 Ultrasport 1.8t, love the car but living in Arizona I am shocked at how hot the car seems to run. The stock thermostat at 202F and the insufficient single SMIC lead to poor performance after a single run through the gears, especially on 114 degree days.

1. Which FMIC:
I am ordering a FMIC but I am having trouble deciding, I lean toward the Race tec (looks clean) but I am also looking at the Exalt FMIC. Does anyone have one of these? I would like to see if anyone can comment on the quality and function.

2. Lower temp thermostat:
I have looked and looked and have found no option for a lower temp thermostat, is there one? In my last turbo car went from a 195 to a 170 and the car loved it, it also lowered my intake temps.

3. Electric water pump:
I have read about some of our cars having secondary water pumps that are electric, does my car have one of these? and if so has anyone every wired this to run after the car turns off and/or the fans?

4. Fan wiring:
In my last car I used an adjustable temp snap switch to run the electric radiator fan after the car was turned off if the underhood temps exceeded 180F. Does anyone have enough of an understanding of the fan wiring to assist me in hooking one up for this one?

Before anyone asks the question I am not having cooling issues I just have had experience with turbo cars in the AZ heat and seen the significant improvement some simply changes to the cooling can make in the day to day drivablity of the car.

A side question I am going to throw in this post has to do with tunes. I have a GIAC and the car looses power above 3500rpm. Is this my tune or does this car just have trouble breathing on the top end?

Thanks

**old guy** · 09-09-2009 06:52 PM

Heat soak is causing your performance issue. Research your intercooler options. there are numerous decent choices. As to the thermostat: The B6 uses a MAP controlled thermostat Clicky click. It allows the ECU to adjust the temperature as it sees fit. You really don't want to mess with it since it is integral the the ME7 Motronic controller in your ECU.

The B6 does not have an secondary electric water pump.

**AZUltra** · 09-09-2009 08:33 PM

Thanks old guy, I appreciate the response. Ya I figured there was nothing i could do about the thermostat.

Has anyone done any fan mods? and/or have experience with Exalt?

**randylam** · 09-09-2009 09:02 PM

Same here in HK,
I think install extra cooler will help, I had fmic, oil cooler and atf cooler, it does help during the hot summer especially for the german car.

**AZUltra** · 09-09-2009 09:28 PM

How did you do your oil cooler? I was thinking of putting an oilcooler in the stock SMIC location once I install the FMIC. I am a little concerned about removing the stock coolant to oil cooler and did not know if sandwich plates were universal or vehicle specific. I was surprised that no company makes an easy kit to install an aftermarket oilcooler on these cars (I would buy one). I'm definitely ordering the FMIC this week just trying to decide on brand.

**mnkyA4** · 09-09-2009 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by AZUltra

How did you do your oil cooler? I was thinking of putting an oilcooler in the stock SMIC location once I install the FMIC. I am a little concerned about removing the stock coolant to oil cooler and did not know if sandwich plates were universal or vehicle specific. I was surprised that no company makes an easy kit to install an aftermarket oilcooler on these cars (I would buy one). I'm definitely ordering the FMIC this week just trying to decide on brand.

I just ordered a ASP FMIC. They are selling for $799 plus shipping. It also comes with a new PS cooler as well. After the winter I'm thinking about taking my car to 034 to have them fab me a oil cooler set-up.

**Vinny@DTH** · 09-09-2009 10:00 PM

If you are desperate, a water/meth kit will also help cool your inlet temps for the hot summer days. It can help in the future, when you decide to do more upgrades.

**AZUltra** · 09-09-2009 10:05 PM

Let me know how it goes at 034 I may have them send me one.

**mnkyA4** · 09-09-2009 10:11 PM

will do but it will be awhile. I limit myself on mods for my car, haha.

**HTA A4** · 09-09-2009 10:32 PM

It depends on what your goals are, power-wise, for your car. If you want to stay with the k03 turbo, I would reccomend the Evolution Racewerks Sport intercooler. You can purchase this from DTH (Vinny at DTH posted above).