OK then based on some of the comments on Robs diy test fitting thread, would a 2nd SMIC and reworked/rerouted piping be as good/better? I am thinking of going the right side of the engine route to the 2nd IC then across the crashbar with a Genuine TT pipe to the original IC and then up to the throttle as is.

Comments please and be nice

It's doable but you'd have to fabricate custom pipework, at least for the bit from the turbo to the passenger side cooler, and you'd need to fabricate mounting brackets on the passenger side for the new cooler same as the existing one. Also if you have a CAI you'd have to go back to an airbox as the 2nd cooler will be sitting where the CAI filter sits.

I would imagine a dual SMIC setup provides enough cooling for the engine to consistently output around 225bhp if you have a map and other mods capable of that, as that is what the twin SMIC cars on the same platform (Seat Leon Cupra R, Audi S3 and TT 225) will manage.

Edited 21 April, 201016 yr by chicken_eyebrow

The thinking is that if a twintercooler setup is as effective as a cheap ebay FMIC then I would rather the OEM stock look for around the same costs. If I went to a K04 in the future at what stage of remapping do I need to think about a Quality FMIC or will the twintercooler setup work well to about 270BHP? Not looking at routing the pipes like a K04 setup though, more like a reversal as the ARX throttle position is the left side not the right like a BAM, so not sure if there would be issues later on?

The twintercooler would only work up to around 225-230bhp, thats why Seat and Audi owners who remap their cars to 260-270bhp have to get a large FMIC fitted as the twin SMICs can't cope. It seems to me the VAG group designed the single SMIC to perfectly provide enough cooling for anything up to about 180bhp and the twin ones to do it for 225bhp.

I think with the pipework you'd just retain your existing intercooler but fit the Audi/Seat one on the passenger side, pipework from the turbo across the engine bay above the gearbox to the top of the new cooler and then pipework across the bottom of the bumper from the new cooler to the bottom connection on the original cooler. Sounds easy but I bet its not!

be no fun if it was easy just wondering if it worth while or whether to hold off and get a good sized FMIC as K04 may be on the cards if I can get the bits cheap enough

Yep, if you're tempted to put a K04 on then remap it you might as well go for a large FMIC now and not bother with the SMICs. It's a nice idea though and for those members on here who are aiming for K03S's running around 220bhp with a custom map it would be a cheaper solution than getting a proper FMIC.

OK then based on some of the comments on Robs diy test fitting thread, would a 2nd SMIC and reworked/rerouted piping be as good/better? I am thinking of going the right side of the engine route to the 2nd IC then across the crashbar with a Genuine TT pipe to the original IC and then up to the throttle as is.

Comments please and be nice

I thought the mountng brackets were actually already there on the passenger side? I am sure someone has already done this mod and stated that, and plumbing was reasoanbly ok. And the mod was quite effective on a none K04 set up. I will try and find it. It could of been on the Golf Forum.. ,

The twintercooler would only work up to around 225-230bhp, thats why Seat and Audi owners who remap their cars to 260-270bhp have to get a large FMIC fitted as the twin SMICs can't cope. It seems to me the VAG group designed the single SMIC to perfectly provide enough cooling for anything up to about 180bhp and the twin ones to do it for 225bhp.

We have just custom tuned a Seat Leon 1.8T 180 to 250bhp on the standard single SMIC and KO3S turbo, so more is possible if it's carefully done

have they had any logs of inlet air temp over a prolonged run? I know peak power for a single run with the standard SMIC is possible, just wondering about effectiveness on a track day? What supporting mods did the Leon have?

I'm guessing you'd probably have to relocate the battery to make room for pipework in that area too.

It's a nice idea, and something I've thought about in the past. I found a kit earlier this week actually, but can't remember where I saw it. Basically included all the pipework and the second IC.

I think it also came with the right handed inlet manifold, allowing you to still use all the existing pipework to the original IC, but then just bringing it's outlet across to the passenger side where the second IC would be. Seems to make sense.

As has been said, I'd imagine that bringing the pipework cleanly across the gearbox won't be easy, as there is lots of gubbins in the way! But it is possible. I've seen plenty of modified cars in PVW with this setup.

What about just replacing the existing SMIC with a more efficient one? The existing setup provides a nice clean short route between the comp cover and throttle body, so it's a shame to increase this volume. The existing IC is also an efficient single pass design, with excellent airflow ducted straight to it. But its plastic ends and mass produced body could obviously be made more efficient.

I wonder how capable the Forge SMIC is?

These guys are brilliant for custom radiators and intercoolers, and they even have some off the shelf FMIC's for the TT and LCR: http://www.paceproducts.co.uk/public_html/php/default.php

Bought some radiators off them in the past, and almost bought a dry sump kit for an R6 engine from them too. Nice guys who give a good factory tour.

We have just custom tuned a Seat Leon 1.8T 180 to 250bhp on the standard single SMIC and KO3S turbo, so more is possible if it's carefully done

Yeah but will it consistently make that power or is that just a one off run?

There's another member on here who lives near me and has a VRS with a generic remap on it and the standard SMIC, it makes 213bhp when cold (20 degrees inlet temp) but give it three runs in a row and the inlet temps are up to more than 40 degrees and it's down on power to only 193bhp.

Edited 22 April, 201016 yr by chicken_eyebrow

some people make me laugh whats next 300 bhp from a 1.1 standard micra

Edited 22 April, 201016 yr by westallc

We have just custom tuned a Seat Leon 1.8T 180 to 250bhp on the standard single SMIC and KO3S turbo, so more is possible if it's carefully done

Like to see the graph on that. 250hp on a K03s does not sound right on a 1.8??

Very interested to see the results....

OK then based on some of the comments on Robs diy test fitting thread, would a 2nd SMIC and reworked/rerouted piping be as good/better? I am thinking of going the right side of the engine route to the 2nd IC then across the crashbar with a Genuine TT pipe to the original IC and then up to the throttle as is.

Comments please and be nice

IMO you may acheive slightly lower IAT's with two smic's (in series) than you would with an Ebay fmic, but it will more than likely be at the expense of a greater pressure drop.

The AIT's would'nt drop as much as people might expect with two smic's in series, because when the charged air entering the second smic gets to approx 35% of ambient air temp, the narrowing temp difference between ambient air and charge air reduce's the second IC's thermol efficiency by a huge ammount.

But if you want to go big power with twin smic's, then maybe consider fitting them in parallel.....and by that I mean split the turbo outlet after the turbo compressor/outlet to feed both smic's through there own smaller dia custom made pipe work, then link them back together before the throttle body......in theory this way should be about as good as twin smic's can get.

TBH I think I'd go with the Ebay jobbie....looks like a lot less hastle and I think people that have fitted them have been happy with the way they have performed.

Good luck anyway

Don't forget you'd need to get a left hand drive lower grille as yours is not mesh if that makes sense. Or get them meshed with milotec etc