APR Tuned Exhaust or FMIC?

[Chipped]

Hi All,

I'm no mechanaic and have a novice knowledge on bits and pieces to be modded to my GTi..so far have APR Ver 1. ECU, Engine mount, SEAT air intake etc...now...what would my car next most benefit from Downpipe/high flow cat/full exhaust OR Front mount intercooler?..I understand they both pretty much work hand in hand ie: air in/air out but being conservative with $$ and having to do one before the other...which should come first?
And which would I benefit more out of in the immediate future?
About to go ECU Ver2.

Thanks heaps

[VW GTI]

On the Brisbane Polo dyno day, we established that an FMIC will give approx 5kw atw, downpipe (or assumably full exhaust) would give about 7kw atw and both combined would give 12kw atw.

The FMIC also gives the benefit of less heat soak meaning it can keep the power for longer.

So basically, the exhaust will give you a bit more power but the FMIC will hold the power longer (as well as the power boost).

They don't really need to be done together, but obviously it would be better.

[GT3]

One way to decide is to rationalise it based on how well the stock intercooler and exhaust works. Both work ok when matched to a stock tune. Chipped, things begin to change:

- Can the stock exhaust still move gases efficiently when there's a significant increase in output (possibly); and
- Can the stock intercooler cope higher outputs and still operate efficiently (not really).

Upgrading both is ideal, but if you can't, a FMIC would be a better choice IMO.

[marko]

Hi Chipped,
who in Perth does your work? I am new to the scene and wondering who in Perth is a recommended workshop.
Cheers

[VW GTI]

Upgrading both is ideal, but if you can't, a FMIC would be a better choice IMO.

Having said that, an APR FMIC is twice the cost of the downpipe, which might be a factor ($1k as opposed to $2+k)

I've got the FMIC on my shopping list for the future, it truly is a budget question.

[Chipped]

Hi Chipped,
who in Perth does your work? I am new to the scene and wondering who in Perth is a recommended workshop.
Cheers

Marko,

Welcome
Quattro Motors in Burswood for sure. They are the APR guys over here, I wouldn't let anyone else touch my car...they do all the Audi and VW stuff.
Honest, non-dodgy dudes.
Ask for Brian the owner and Jake does most of the VW work.

Cheers

[Chipped]

Thanks all for your opinions.
Those with both installed could you feel the difference.
12kw aint heaps but I know these things can't be felt through the accelerator and felt in the rev of the engine...it alot of $$ to spend for a little bit more output...but hey I love my Polo.

Tnx

[Flaps]

Price:- $1595 inc. GST. (plus shipping within australia)

I'd go the Forge FMIC.

[Grant]

Price:- $1595 inc. GST. (plus shipping within australia)

I'd go the Forge FMIC.

and put the saved cash towards a new dump pipe

[RhysQ]

Price:- $1595 inc. GST. (plus shipping within australia)

I'd go the Forge FMIC.

or even ask Sharkie (Johan) if he has any of his left (he is the one 'tosspot' is referring to on the brissy dyno day who acheived a constant 5kW gain). the installed cost is under $1000 (FMIC is ~$350 from memory, then add approx $600 for piping and installation). then you would have a $1000 left over for dump pipe .

Cheers,
Rhys

[VW GTI]

or even ask Sharkie (Johan) if he has any of his left (he is the one 'tosspot' is referring to on the brissy dyno day who acheived a constant 5kW gain). the installed cost is under $1000 (FMIC is ~$350 from memory, then add approx $600 for piping and installation). then you would have a $1000 left over for dump pipe .

Cheers,
Rhys

These costs are a little unclear.

The $1000 includes cutting of the rebar, the Forge kit includes a new rebar as part of the kit.

With Sharkie's, if you want to go make to stock, your rebar would be 'damaged' (cut) which can't be a good thing when it's called reinforcement bar.

With Forge's the price is about $1600 delivered, but then fitting comes after that.

With APR's the price is $2195 from memory and then fitting/rebar on top of that.

Not sure how much R&D went into the Forge FMIC but IMO they seem to go up in price according to the amount of time/money spent developing them. But, could be wrong, Forge don't seem to say their methods anywhere I've seen.

[shaneth]

Sharkie's one didnt require any cutting.

APR's requires some not sure how much.

Forge just includes a reinforced one. So you can replace your old one when selling or doing whatever. As for R&D they had been working on it for some time. And Forge makes quality products as many on here can vouch for.

[Sharkie]

.
With Sharkie's, if you want to go make to stock, your rebar would be 'damaged' (cut) which can't be a good thing when it's called reinforcement bar.

Mine has absolutely no cutting at all to anything. I searched for a long time to find 1 with the exact dimensions required. At well under a $1000 fitted it was great value and on the dyno gave the same intake temps after 4 runs as the APR one.

And you can actually feel 5kw atw immediatly ... not even to mention 12 ....

For me the downpipe (or full exhaust) is up next.

I'd say there is no real advantage to go either 1st, after 20mins in traffic power atw should be the same.

[Quest]

APR's requires some not sure how much.

So it would be liars Sh*t ! :

The kit is designed to fit directly on the Polo GTI. It comprises of an APR Intercooler core, alloy piping, silicone pipe sleeves, securing brackets, hose clamps and bolts. The Intercooler fits nicely behind the centre grill of the bumper – in fact, none of the bumper’s plastic requires any cutting at all.
Source from http://goapr.com.au/products/pologti_intercooler.html

[shaneth]

Well i could be wrong, but no none of the plastic bumper is cut. Its the metal bar behind the bumper.