B8 A4 intercooler comparison thread

[Highlander1010]

There are also ones from RAI and CTS that I'm looking at.

[iconoclast]

does the eurocode intercooler piping have issues with the lower grills? anyone here with s-line & ads using the eurocode intercooler?

[context.eax]

The stock IC from the A4 B8 3.0TDI (8K0 145 805E) is also a bit bigger compared to the stock A4 B8 2.0TFSI IC (8K0 145 805G) and it's bolt on. Price is not to bad. About $300.
A4 3.0TDI IC is about 8 liter in IC core volume compared to 6 liter IC core volume for the stock 2.0TFSI.
But best part is that it will be hard to tell that you have an IC upgrade.

Rule of thumb says 3 liter IC Core volume for every 100hp. (I read this on some forum)

[dame drizzo]

Btw idk why RAI motorsports isn't mentioned here. They tried over 25 different designs before they settled on the one theybhave out for sale. Mine is a bit larger then what's available but anyway no heat soak after multiple runs ( 11 straight dyno pulls) and if I'm not mistaken costs way less then comp. Have to give credit where credit is due

[iconoclast]

link to product, specs and data/dyno plots?

[Highlander1010]

Search is broken for me right now. If you search something like "B8 RAI FMIC" you'll find lots of info on it. I'm leaning towards theirs right now and I feel the price for what they're providing is extremely fair. I just don't know if I need to upgrade my FMIC until I finally find a BT upgrade that is worthwhile. I think the OEM FMIC does fine with my Stage II tune and I should focus my $$$ on other performance upgrades until someone comes out with a BT that I want to jump on.

[iconoclast]

i will search and so some reading on RAI but the stock OEM IC is definite not adequate even for stock car. it is too small.

[maga4]

So it sounds like now we have (1) Eurocode, (2) AWE, (3) RAI, (4) CTS, (5) 034 as of today. Plus the custom one that FourRingThing was working on. And context.eax did a swap to the 3.0TDI intercooler.

My gut wants FourringThing's to work out due to cost, but like the numbers AWE and 034 are claiming so long as they are true numbers and not just "save" numbers after multiple pulls.

Thoughts?

[Highlander1010]

I agree...but I think that RAI and 034 are likely superior to AWE's core. I also don't like how AWE's blocks more of the radiator. You can't tell me that is a good thing.

[Stubek]

034 has one out today
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ts-145-OFF-***

They installed it on my car last week (see picture in the thread) and I picked up my car yesterday. It is great.

[Highlander1010]

034 has one out today
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ts-145-OFF-***

They installed it on my car last week (see picture in the thread) and I picked up my car yesterday. It is great.

Stubek - can you give us a little more on how "great" it is specifically? What have you noticed?

[Stubek]

I have it on my car and was driving home today from work when it was 92*F outside. with APR stage 2 tune, 034 HFC, and the FMIC from 034, I was able to get the traction control light to flash accelerating from a dead stop on a very slight turn. I really felt no power loss considering the temps outside today.

I saw the graphs when I was picking up my car and you can see the overlaid graphs in the link above. The two big things I think are the roughly 20hp and the intake temp being 30*c cooler.
The pulls in the graph above are not first pull, they did about 5 pulls. I forget exactly which one they are. So, yesterday after my car sat out in 90+ which is rare where I work, as soon as I got it in it, it pulled great and after 20 minutes of bumper to bumper traffic, when I got off the highway, every traffic light was a drag strip for me and it felt the same from the time I started the car to the time I got home.

[fredjones]

I live in LA (Lower Alabama). Here for much of the summer temps are in the 90s and very high humidity. I can tell you that my FMIC makes a difference in my cars performance from start up. I don't need to make 5 runs to see a difference in IAT. I could never go back to the stock intercooler.

[Highlander1010]

Great reviews gents! Much appreciated.

[B8_Jim]

I know I may be the lone voice of dissension here, but for hot weather and stop go traffic, I don't think these are going to generate much of a benefit. These help for hard pulls (esp when tuned and/or with a BT) when you are producing a lot of boost that the stock FMIC isn't up to the task of rejecting - in that case they do keep IAT's down and likely recover faster.

They all look like good products, just want people to be aware that my VCDS logs in mid 90's temps last summer showed nearly identical performance between stock and an upgraded FMIC except in the upper RPM range and while WOT. The data seems to show that putting a bigger FMIC on wont' keep IAT's lower unless you are really pushing the car.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ics-%28LONG%29

Just don't want people to have unreasonable expectations and be disappointed with the purchase, then again, maybe my experience is an anomaly...

[dscline]

The data seems to show that putting a bigger FMIC on wont' keep IAT's lower unless you are really pushing the car.

I would expect that to be true. But wouldn't a larger intercooler also flow better, assuming it has more (and/or larger) tubes? Or does the stock IC already have such low PD that the difference is insignificant? I would expect that a larger IC would provide a slight boost to top end HP, due to both lower airflow resistance and cooler temps, at the possible expense of a slight increase in turbo lag due to a greater volume of air needing to be pressurized. But realistically, I could see how these differences could be insignificant in typical driving, unless you are doing enough hard driving to heatsoak the IC.

[FourRingThing]

So it sounds like now we have (1) Eurocode, (2) AWE, (3) RAI, (4) CTS, (5) 034 as of today. Plus the custom one that FourRingThing was working on. And context.eax did a swap to the 3.0TDI intercooler.

My gut wants FourringThing's to work out due to cost, but like the numbers AWE and 034 are claiming so long as they are true numbers and not just "save" numbers after multiple pulls.

Thoughts?

Its working great right now, I have been driving it since Saturday the 7th with excellent results, fitment is excellent and did not have to trim or change a thing I simply bolted the provided brackets to the top of the crash bar and hooked it up with the couplings. I looked at everything last night just to check on things and all is right were I put it. I have no reason to think this will not work long term. After driving with this installed I feel like Fredjones above, I feel this is a must for us in the south, my car feels so much better with the intercooler installed, it pulls harder and smoother. I noticed this morning looking at some of this stuff that the Eurocode intercooler and the CX Racing one I used have them same core size, 22x11x3.

[Josh/AWE]

I agree...but I think that RAI and 034 are likely superior to AWE's core. I also don't like how AWE's blocks more of the radiator. You can't tell me that is a good thing.

The AWE Tuning Intercooler fin design and spacing to allow enough air to pass through and keep the cooling temperatures the same as that on a stock car.

[context.eax]

I just learn that the A7 3.0TDI 313hp stock IC might fit on our A4 B8.
Here is a picture of an A4 B8 with the A7 3.0TDI IC installed. Price on this IC is about $500 ish.

[iconoclast]

any issues with USDM bumper support/fitment or ADS?

[context.eax]

Today I installed the 3.0TDI IC on my A4 B8 2.0TFSI.
Car now feels a bit faster so I am happy. Did some logging also using VCDS in 3rd gear. WOT from 2000RPM to 6000RPM
Here is a IAT compare log I mad. Found an old log from the stock IC with same ambient temp at 18C. (Car's setup is also the same except for the IC of cource :))



I also had a log with stock IC at 13C and the max temp I could see in it was 42C so at 18C the new 3.0TDI IC performs better then 2.0TFSI stock IC at 13C.

So question is then how many HP is 8C colder IAT? Any one?

Mods:
ECU: Revo Stg 2. Performance B
Milltek Sports Exhaust
034M HFC
3.0TDI IC

Regards,

[turdzi]

context.eax Nice numbers and grate jobb with comparison !I would say in your case 8C is worth around 10-15 HP and probably 15 Nm at the crank.

any issues with USDM bumper support/fitment or ADS?

It is bolt on.Only modification needs to be done is triming plastic air chanel on the side of radiator.This is fine upgrade for K04 cars.

[B8_Jim]

I would say in your case 8C is worth around 10-15 HP and probably 15 Nm at the crank.

How do you arrive at those figures?

[turdzi]

Feeling Eurocode has temp. drop 2X C and power increse 2X HP.......I fill differance , I doubt I would feel + 3-5 HP but 10 will be noticeable.

[Highlander1010]

I made the buy on a CTS system. I'll put up a thread once I get it and DIY my install. Logging data may take a bit longer from there, but I can add it back sometime after.

[B8_Jim]

Feeling Eurocode has temp. drop 2X C and power increse 2X HP.......I fill differance , I doubt I would feel + 3-5 HP but 10 will be noticeable.

8C lower IAT from 46 to 38C will give you about 2.5% increase in air density. Let's assume with mods context.eax is making 250 HP to make the math easy.

If timing isn't changing (I saw no evidence timing was pulled when I did logging with even higher IAT's than this) - 2.5% difference should yeild 2.5% difference in power, right? 250 * 0.025 = 5 HP. Plus the 8C is only at top end - for a lot of the pull it was about 5C...

I've been running without my IC for a while now and honestly don't miss it. I liked it while I had it on and thought my car "felt faster" after installing it. But, since taking it off I haven't missed it.

I believe that the "feels faster" in my case was wishful thinking after spending the $. Probably key is my daily driving. I drive aggressively, but rarely do sustained 3rd gear pulls from 1500 RPM to redline at WOT. 2nd gear pulls pulls from 3-6k, sure - but you won't see as much change in IAT.

[context.eax]

Just to be clear. The IC I upgraded to is the A4 B8 3.0TDI IC and not the one on the picture I posted which is the A7 3.0TDI 313hp IC.

Her is a picture of the one I upgraded to:
The upper IC is the stock IC from A4 B8 2.0TFSI (~6liter IC core)
Lower is the stock IC on the A4 B8 3.0TDI (~8liter IC core)


It looks like the A7 IC is even larger compared to the A4 B8 3.0TDI IC.

[A4 Centaur]

Bar and Plate IC's look like they flow better than those stock IC's?

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-reviews/page2

I ran a Eurojet Race IC on my Tdi and loved it! Bit of lag though. And had some hoses pop off until I changed the clamps out.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/euro...FQ67Kgod8xXmgQ

[zee007]

Just to be clear. The IC I upgraded to is the A4 B8 3.0TDI IC and not the one on the picture I posted which is the A7 3.0TDI 313hp IC.

Her is a picture of the one I upgraded to:
The upper IC is the stock IC from A4 B8 2.0TFSI (~6liter IC core)
Lower is the stock IC on the A4 B8 3.0TDI (~8liter IC core)


It looks like the A7 IC is even larger compared to the A4 B8 3.0TDI IC.

I'm interested in this. Do you have the ETKA number for the IC? I know the black pastic surround is 8K0 121 283F - can you validate the IC number please?

[zee007]

I'm interested in this. Do you have the ETKA number for the IC? I know the black pastic surround is 8K0 121 283F - can you validate the IC number please?

Never mind - found it: 8K0 145 805E

[Schrubbe8210]

any update on that improved IC install zee007?

[ryank382]

anybody have any input on the RAI intercooler? it looks great and you cant beat that price

[A4 Centaur]

I have the Eurocode FMIC on a Stage II tune. I'm extremely happy with it. I love the cosmetic appeal the EC FMIC has over the AWE when looking through the front grill, and the performance increase and like cory said, the consistency was improved. I looked at data from my car for ~6 runs from 0-100mph and the consistency of the heat and power was impressive to say the least.

In my opinion, a FMIC is a necessary mod if you are looking for true, consistent performance from your car, especially if you are doing any other performance related mods. And I definitely say the Eurocode FMIC has many pro's and no con's that I've been able to point out after much critiquing.

Especially at higher elevations where heat soak can be an issue for smaller K03 turbos.

[Bonger]

I had a custom intercooler on my A4 from Goodspeed Performance Labs from Scotsdale, AZ (not to be confused with "Godspeed" on Ebay) that worked really well over stock. Its now for sale on here along with the Eurocode High Flow Intercooler pipe if anyone is interested. With the Eurocode pipe, paid over $900 new back in the day. Its in great condition!

http://www.audizine.com/classifieds/...1-21-21&cat=73

[AdrianLee]

I just learn that the A7 3.0TDI 313hp stock IC might fit on our A4 B8.
Here is a picture of an A4 B8 with the A7 3.0TDI IC installed. Price on this IC is about $500 ish.

context or anyone do you know what the part number is for the a7 tdi intercooler? I was think of upgrading to either 8K0 145 805E (b8 a4 tdi) or the a7 tdi if it is a direct bolt on with no modifications like the 3.0L tdi intercooler. Has anyone else done one of these installs?

[Merdan]

Hi buddy, I urgently need your advice. The thing is that I'm ordering 3.0TDI IC from the states (I live in Asia) and would like you to point me what fittings and tubes (part numbers) is required to replace OEM IC with the one u already installed. Thanks

Today I installed the 3.0TDI IC on my A4 B8 2.0TFSI.
Car now feels a bit faster so I am happy. Did some logging also using VCDS in 3rd gear. WOT from 2000RPM to 6000RPM
Here is a IAT compare log I mad. Found an old log from the stock IC with same ambient temp at 18C. (Car's setup is also the same except for the IC of cource :))



I also had a log with stock IC at 13C and the max temp I could see in it was 42C so at 18C the new 3.0TDI IC performs better then 2.0TFSI stock IC at 13C.

So question is then how many HP is 8C colder IAT? Any one?

Mods:
ECU: Revo Stg 2. Performance B
Milltek Sports Exhaust
034M HFC
3.0TDI IC

Regards,

[context.eax]

Hi
I did not change any tubes or plumbing. The a6 3.0tdi ic is a direct fit. Only thing are the inlet and outlet on the ic. It's a bit wider i diameter but with some force I was able to squeeze it on.
The plastic parts that are around the ic need some cutting or you can get the org part from the same a6.
But if you are talking about the a7 ic you need some more modding.
For that my friend that installed it change the inlet and outlet on the ic. That was it. It will fit on the original mounting.
Here is the part nr for the a7 ic: 4G0 145 805 J
This one got a 9l core volume or so.

[Info@EuroCode]

Hi buddy, I urgently need your advice. The thing is that I'm ordering 3.0TDI IC from the states (I live in Asia) and would like you to point me what fittings and tubes (part numbers) is required to replace OEM IC with the one u already installed. Thanks

No need to waste your time with factory parts that won't come close to our kit. Best part its on sale for $895!

Link to EuroCode intercooler the only complete kit on the market for the B8

[b6Hate4]

I personally have the FORGE fmic. Love it. Oem+ fitment, flawless, high quality, and
Keeps my stage 2 IAT's in check and can support a ko4/ big turbo once I upgrade.

Excuse any grammar errors. Im quite buzzed.

[Merdan]

Hi, thanks a lot. Why you're saying A6? Aren't we talking about 8K0 145 805E that comes with B8 3.0TDI and not A6?

Hi
I did not change any tubes or plumbing. The a6 3.0tdi ic is a direct fit. Only thing are the inlet and outlet on the ic. It's a bit wider i diameter but with some force I was able to squeeze it on.
The plastic parts that are around the ic need some cutting or you can get the org part from the same a6.
But if you are talking about the a7 ic you need some more modding.
For that my friend that installed it change the inlet and outlet on the ic. That was it. It will fit on the original mounting.
Here is the part nr for the a7 ic: 4G0 145 805 J
This one got a 9l core volume or so.