[s-cars] FMIC Alternatives - ROT thoughts

[Lewis, Gary M]

My Comments below, and I apologize in advance to MLP especially and any one else who will find this simplistic...

> There's no intercooler working back there as far as I know, 
> so the question is (or maybe it isn't) what's that do for 
> your EGTs, and the rest of the head's flow dynamics?  Corkey 
> Bell waxes eloquently that this (IC's in
> series) shouldn't be done, OTOH I understand this is exactly 
> what Volvo and the newer Audi TT (I think) are doing.  

Also on the Euro Audi 1.8T sport.  Buddy stateside just got the upgrade.  Piping is artwork, but give me a budget of a $zillion, and...

> If you are going to go that route, I think you will want to get a 
> real close look at the Volvo & TT systems, or better yet find 
> someone who understands why the double pressure drop isn't 
> significant.  

See note above about piping.  I really think it is packaging technology, not IC technology.  Where there is room, you always see a large single.  Did I say the piping was artwork??

> Since no one, as far as I know anyway, has any 
> pressure drop data for our existing IC's, maybe Corkey's 
> admonition against running ICs in series is only an imaginary 
> boogie man.

I find it nearly impossible to believe that IC's in series is as efficient as a single IC of equavalent size.  The primary reason is that to actually reduce air temps the air has to transfer heat to the IC walls.  The air rubs on the inside of the IC, which causes the turbo to push a little harder to get the air through the IC.  ALL IC's HAVE PRESSURE LOSSES.  Period.  Anyone who says that a bigger turbo and another small IC in series is a way to get around the problem is wrong.  It may make the current situation better, but it is far from optimal.  It does confirm that the stock IC is WAY too small for K26 and above turbo sizes running high boost.  But Hap already confirmed that.  Adding a larger FMIC = 40 horse and 400  rpm reduction to full boost = a lot of efficiency.
 
> What's the point of developing a perfect $2,000 intercooler 
> if everyone who wants one thinks they can copy it for $500; 
> or feels they're getting ripped off if they're charged $2k?

I did speak to ASW about what they were doing, and it sounds like a really nice set-up.  I don't think $2,000 is a rip-off for their product as offered.  I just don't have it.  Nor am I stating I will build something as good as what they have.  I do believe it will be volumes above stock.

Question tho'.  If I pull this off, it sounds as if it will piss off a few of the CO. contingent.  Should I take it off-line??  Seems like every time I bring this up it pisses someone off...

Gary Lewis

1995.5 S6 Avant, Green/Ecru, RS2 MAF, RS2 Exhaust Manifold, RS2 Injectors, Custom Turbo (K26 Turbine, Factory K26 Cold side (Audi Works '999' P/N) with 50mm intake and custom Innovative Turbo compressor wheel), TurboXS Type 25 Bypass Valve, Bilsteins, Eibachs, Big Reds, Spec II Clutch.