FMIC feedback...APR/SEAT/FORGE -- POLO 9n3 GTI

[clicht]

Hi All,

I have researched quite a bit on the internet and vwwatercooled regarding the pro's and con's of all 3 mainline FMIC's.
After a fair amount of research, it seems as though the SEAT works best, followed by APR and then FORGE.
I am hesitant on getting the FORGE, seems some reviews on lost power, APR no longer make a FMIC for this car/model.
That leaves me with the SEAT one...
So some questions for you, and if you know of any additonal links in watercolled or internet, please attached.
Where is the best (errr cheapest) place to get this SEAT IC...and do any of you have this installed - I am keen on getting a review.

As always, thanks

Clint

[seangti]

hi, vwindahouse has recently had the Seat core installed, using Forge pipes, check out his build thread. I don't recall reading any feedback on it since. It was done only recently and he was running Forge.

[noone]

Any of them are good once you ate chipped. The little turbo can generate a lot of heat.

The other option is having something made up for you with a generic core.

The forge one is fine, it's reasonably priced with the current exchange rate. Fine may not be as good as more expensive alternatives tho...

[nightphotographer]

If you're buying new the Seat one is approx $650 and then you need to buy the forge piping which is about $500. I went for forge because the intercooler kit and piping is only about $900. All excluding shipping.

I don't know why you're hesitant about the forge intercooler...my car is still on stock tune and it's noticeabley faster/faster for longer with the Forge kit. Considering they're one of VAGs biggest aftermarket parts manufacturers I'm sure there's no problem with their kit, probably whoever installed or tuned it afterwards. If you want to save on install costs Forge give you a great step by step guide to DIY - you wouldn't have this with SEAT.

[VWindahouse]

Sorry guys I will go into intercoolers in full very soon after I get to the dyno. But here is a very quick fact sheet for the 9n3 Polo GTI.

1. The stock side mount flows well and keeps pressure levels quite well. However heatsoak is a total killer.

2. APR flows better and also holds pressure well and is not effected by heatsoak and well designed.

3. The Forge unit is not the best design for flow and you will loose about 3 PSI, BUT is a great cooler and has been proven on the most powerful Polo 9n3 GTI's around the world (and there are plenty that put our scene on the forum to shame). The most powerful I have seen is a Polo built and tuned by Badger 5 in the UK for a customer of theirs on UKPOLO.NET which saw from memory 450+ whp with Pod intake and stock intake manifold. This dispels what some have said on this forum about the Forge unit not being able to handle flow for a polo putting out around 170 kw atw. I have been very happy with my Forge and it has helped with some awesome comparative results same dyno same day V's other setups with Ko4's and I have not noticed any extra lag compared to stock. So personal choice about savings of some coin paid for the Forge V's a possible 5-10 whp and even that comes down to what tune you decide to go with.

4. I have never found any test results for the SEAT other than temp testing for which it also does the job well. So stay tuned for my findings.

[clicht]

vwindahouse, why are you moving from a forge IC to a SEAT one...

[VWindahouse]

Mainly curious to be honest and trying to squeeze the Ko3s for all its worth before moving on. I know there's another 30-40hp there with a few out of the box supporting mods that have been done on Vortex. And that's before E85 and water/meth from all the research I've seen. A custom tune will be key to tie it all together in the end and then I will look at E85 as the fuel becomes more readily available.

[clicht]

Vwindahouse, what is the advantage of e85..is it just higher octaine, so you can have higher boost without detonation

[MissVuks]

I've got the forge fmic, didn't notice any lag in comparison to stock. I bought it as it came with the reinforced bar..

[blitDz]

Dont majority of people on here have the Forge though? As far i can tell the APR is still listed on their website as available. So expensive

[clicht]

spoke to Guy, he said that they are no longer being manufactured....trying to locate a 2nd hand one...

[Servo]

Well that puts a dampener on my plans. Was going to get one install in a few months. Guess I'll wait to hear what VWThunder has to say about the Seat FMIC. If not then a Forge FMIC will have to be.

[Guy_H]

We can make them (APR Australia), but we can't squeeze the price any lower I'm afraid - there is too much work in them.

the Seat unit looks the go if someone could do all the testing on it.

Save your money on the Forge, even on a stock car you lose boost (generate more heat).

[VWindahouse]

Ok people, quick update. Jimmy has sourced the brackets from the UK needed to complete the SEAT puzzle. So we have booked the Devil in for a base line dyno run of sorts Thursday of next week at BPS (who tuned custom tuned Tarmacs Golf R). Then the new cooler will go on then back on the rollers to see what's up!

[team_v]

Ok people, quick update. Jimmy has sourced the brackets from the UK needed to complete the SEAT puzzle. So we have booked the Devil in for a base line dyno run of sorts Thursday of next week at BPS (who tuned custom tuned Tarmacs Golf R). Then the new cooler will go on then back on the rollers to see what's up!

Looking forward to the results (seem promising from our friends in SA and Belgium) and also real testing out at Happy Laps.