Drawbacks upgrading intercooler on stock tune?

[SN95Audi87]

Is it worth it to uprade to apikol SMIC with stock tune on stock turbo? I am afraid that a bigger SMIC will cause lag time because the intercooler area is bigger. I am looking for almost instantaneous spool up instead longer spool up time along side with low IATS for spring/summer spirited driving. Any feedback? I have APR TIP and Intake Hose ready to go on for the spring, it would really suck to waste 500+ dollars and make the car drive worse lol.

[OverSpun]

You have a stock tune? You should have the car flashed prior a FMIC or upgraded SMIC... a flash shows a more instantaneous spool vs stock file. Your current mods don't really do much compared with a flash.

Your stock SMIC is fine with your stock tune.

[SN95Audi87]

You have a stock tune? You should have the car flashed prior a FMIC or upgraded SMIC... a flash shows a more instantaneous spool vs stock file. Your current mods don't really do much compared with a flash.

Your stock SMIC is fine with your stock tune.

Thanks that's what I needed to hear. Once I get a flash then it's worthy to upgrade the SMIC.


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[SynapticA4TQM]

There will Be no draw backs to upgrading the smic without a tune. You'll enjoy a cooler charge though... Also, you're engine will thank you once you get a tune...


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[tar]

I'd do a tune first. Kompressed or similar you already have dv and similar for it. The apikol unit is expensive better off going fmic unless you have a good deal on smic lined up. Plus what your eventual plans are should be factored in.

I run tr18t as alot of other do and it's a good unit for the price. Quailty is above most overpriced kits I've seen.

[SN95Audi87]

There will Be no draw backs to upgrading the smic without a tune. You'll enjoy a cooler charge though... Also, you're engine will thank you once you get a tune...


Oozed from a pustule of thought somewhere within the recesses of my mind...

I am fearful of more surface area on the core causing the turbo to spool slower. If thats not the case I will upgrade it eventually.

I'd do a tune first. Kompressed or similar you already have dv and similar for it. The apikol unit is expensive better off going fmic unless you have a good deal on smic lined up. Plus what your eventual plans are should be factored in.

I run tr18t as alot of other do and it's a good unit for the price. Quailty is above most overpriced kits I've seen.

I am trying to keep it more a sleeper look and since my car is a tiptronic I am not going further than the stock turbo limits. If it was a 5 speed I would.

[SynapticA4TQM]

I am fearful of more surface area on the core causing the turbo to spool slower. If thats not the case I will upgrade it eventually.

This is a benefit of getting one of the better reputed brand SMICs and not getting an eBay special or basement dollar piece. The apikol is a very good unit. You won't have any issue with it!


Oozed from a pustule of thought somewhere within the recesses of my mind...

[SynapticA4TQM]

I am trying to keep it more a sleeper look and since my car is a tiptronic I am not going further than the stock turbo limits. If it was a 5 speed I would.

I can appreciate this... But I've watched videos of a4 tiptronic pushing 25psi on frankenturbos, gonzo turbos, and gt28s with very good result. While everyone loves to row through the gears, one thing a well tuned auto transmission will do for you is allow the turbo to stayed spooled between shifts. The difference was astonishing! Sure you can push cars with manuals further... But don't underestimate the fun and joy that can be had from a tiptronic equipmented car.



Oozed from a pustule of thought somewhere within the recesses of my mind...

[SN95Audi87]

This is a benefit of getting one of the better reputed brand SMICs and not getting an eBay special or basement dollar piece. The apikol is a very good unit. You won't have any issue with it!


Oozed from a pustule of thought somewhere within the recesses of my mind...

Awesome. I always had my eye on it once I was browsing 034motorsports page for my high flow cat! Looks like a solid unit for sure.

I can appreciate this... But I've watched videos of a4 tiptronic pushing 25psi on frankenturbos, gonzo turbos, and gt28s with very good result. While everyone loves to row through the gears, one thing a well tuned auto transmission will do for you is allow the turbo to stayed spooled between shifts. The difference was astonishing! Sure you can push cars with manuals further... But don't underestimate the fun and joy that can be had from a tiptronic equipmented car.



Oozed from a pustule of thought somewhere within the recesses of my mind...

I actually appreciate the tiptronic because you are right the load from auto keeps the turbo constantly spooled. Now the strength of the transmission is what makes me concerned because I have no plans to build it lol.

[SynapticA4TQM]

Not having a tip myself, take what I say with a grain of salt until you can confirm it for yourself. IIRC, the tiptronic trans can handle up to around 300 crank hp before it starts having issues... Thats still going to be a fun car to drive... And you can do it while holding your girls hand the whole time!


Oozed from a pustule of thought somewhere within the recesses of my mind...

[SN95Audi87]

Not having a tip myself, take what I say with a grain of salt until you can confirm it for yourself. IIRC, the tiptronic trans can handle up to around 300 crank hp before it starts having issues... Thats still going to be a fun car to drive... And you can do it while holding your girls hand the whole time!


Oozed from a pustule of thought somewhere within the recesses of my mind...

Haha! My fiance loves to hold my hand while i'm driving, shes a romantic at heart lol. Matt Farah from /Drive said that the B5 is perfect with 300hp. I believe since the car is light by today standards it doesn't need much power to get it moving at all. If I can get 240-280hp while keeping my mpg's, fun-factor (handling, acceleration, comfortability), it will be perfect daily until the car call it quits.

[volkswagensRus]

A 300 crank hp b5 a4 is a LOT of fun. Audi/Volkswagen are easy to make fun for a few reasons: relatively light weight, excellent short gearing, relatively high winding motors, and boost.

[SN95Audi87]

A 300 crank hp b5 a4 is a LOT of fun. Audi/Volkswagen are easy to make fun for a few reasons: relatively light weight, excellent short gearing, relatively high winding motors, and boost.

Spot on! I really like that front end doesn't suffer as much as the heavier 2.8's and 2.7-TT's.

[Davdraco1]

Isn't the FT kit right around 300 crank when don't properly?

[SynapticA4TQM]

Of course it depends on supporting mods... But that's what I've heard


Oozed from a pustule of thought somewhere within the recesses of my mind...

[volkswagensRus]

^Yep that sounds about right... probaby 275-300 chp if done right.

[Davdraco1]

That's what I meant.

[SN95Audi87]

Isn't the FT kit right around 300 crank when don't properly?

So tempting!

[DoesntCare]

I'm pretty pro SMIC over FMIC if you are staying with a stock turbo or similarly sized upgrades, but depending on your plans you'll want to see if a FMIC is really suggested, or if a SMIC will do the job just as well.

Tyrolsport has an upgraded SMIC that they showed out performed one of the most popular FMIC for VW 1.8ts, so I would expect similar results from their A4 offering, although the FMIC choices on the A4 are pretty different than they are for Mk4s.

[SN95Audi87]

I'm pretty pro SMIC over FMIC if you are staying with a stock turbo or similarly sized upgrades, but depending on your plans you'll want to see if a FMIC is really suggested, or if a SMIC will do the job just as well.

Tyrolsport has an upgraded SMIC that they showed out performed one of the most popular FMIC for VW 1.8ts, so I would expect similar results from their A4 offering, although the FMIC choices on the A4 are pretty different than they are for Mk4s.

I'm really diving deep into this topic and from all gather opinions it is definitely mixed. Some say oem SMIC will be fine and dont upgrade until you throw a bigger turbocharger like a K04 or GT28RS, but others are saying that upgrading the SMIC to one like apikol like I mentioned will make the car run cooler with no drawbacks. So basically its 50/50 split on this one.

[DoesntCare]

I'm really diving deep into this topic and from all gather opinions it is definitely mixed. Some say oem SMIC will be fine and dont upgrade until you throw a bigger turbocharger like a K04 or GT28RS, but others are saying that upgrading the SMIC to one like apikol like I mentioned will make the car run cooler with no drawbacks. So basically its 50/50 split on this one.

You wouldn't see any drawbacks from getting the SMIC now, other than cost of a new IC if its not up to par with your future plans.

[SN95Audi87]

You wouldn't see any drawbacks from getting the SMIC now, other than cost of a new IC if its not up to par with your future plans.

Its definitely on par for sure. I can't stand heat soak in the summer and I am looking to get stage 1 tune.