How's it going boys and girls.. well. I pulled the trigger tonight and ordered myself a shiny Airtec IC with all its beautiful pipes! I'm pretty excited..

I'm no expert, and that's why I'm here - for your guys advice. I've done Services, Break changes, the basics. But this worries me a bit! Is this something that's easy enough to do?

I'm determined to give it a go regardless.. so a couple of questions.

*I've read somewhere that the airtec pipes come short of the 90° bend to the EGR delete. Is this the only piece needed? If so - what piece am I after?

*What else will I need to order for fitting?

*What tools am I going to need? I've got a few myself, and can ask around for what I don't have! (Or buy for myself )

*Is there any information in with the kit or is it a figure it out yourself job?

Any information you can share will be appreciated! And your patience as you appreciate I'm a novice eager to learn.

Cheers!

It's comes with fitting Instructions but they are basic....

Its the top end of DIY I'd say, might be awkward cutting the lugs off the bumper and grinding the slam pannel etc

I've fitted all the kits now and airtec isn't as bad as others like the THS.

Edited 22 January, 201610 yr by hutchysrs50

Following this as I'll hopefully be in the same boat (albeit with a mechanic friend looking over my shoulder laughing and shouting "now then b0ll0*ks how have you managed that!?") at some point in the near future.

From what I have read on the forum - the most difficult part will be the cutting of the crash bar in order to make room for the intercooler. Apparently a Seat Sport (from the Ibiza I assume??) crash bar is a much better combination for the air tec as it requires no 'chopping' to make it fit.

JRJG

Edited 21 January, 201610 yr by Jrjg

Alexe3 has fitted one to his,and said it was more of a job than it looked.

If you haven't got a welder get a Seat crash bar,as the crash bar should be welded back up on the seams where you cut the pieces out to retain its strength.

You will need a grinder/dremel type tool and a drill as cutting of the front bumper and the rad retaining panel is required.

IMHO if you've only ever done servicing etc you will struggle with this job,it's no where near a 'easy' DIY job.

Put it this way,I had my car down at Forge for them to trial fit/development fit a Seat size cooler kit onto my car,as they had never fitted one to a Fabia,it took them six hours to do it!

That is a company that specialises in modded cars with a fully equipped workshop/ramps etc!

And at the end of it they said no way will they be doing another or listing the Seat size cooler as compatible for a Fabia!!!!

Following this as I'll hopefully be in the same boat (albeit with a mechanic friend looking over my shoulder laughing and shouting "now then b0ll0*ks how have you managed that!?") at some point in the near future.

From what I have read on the forum - the most difficult part will be the cutting of the crash bar in order to make room for the intercooler. Apparently a Seat Sport (from the Ibiza I assume??) crash bar is a much better combination for the air tec as it requires no 'chopping' to make it fit.

JRJG

there is a lot of cutting of the inner of of the bumper too - its not all over when you get the cooler fitted as the bumper doesnt fit att all with the ibiza crash bar loads needs cutting out on inside its trial and error all the way. Angle grinder will be your best friend by the end of it!!!!!!!

Here are all the photos i took while fitting mine Airtec FMIC

 

if your getting the seat sport crash bar just cut it to the same length as the fabia one.

 

hope these help

 

http://s17.photobucket.com/user/Dannyboy6/library/airtec%20fmic

Better to be honest Coskev, than sugar-coat is a doable job!

I'd like to have a go myself - just worried about getting stuck! Cutting of the bumper and angle grinder work doesn't really phase me - I was a Stone mason for three years, and an Angle grinder was my main weapon, so I'm confident with that.

Is the Crash Bar welded on or held via Bolts? As if it's welded on, I'd imagine it's game over

Just bolts with multi spline heads

Better to be honest Coskev, than sugar-coat is a doable job!

I'd like to have a go myself - just worried about getting stuck! Cutting of the bumper and angle grinder work doesn't really phase me - I was a Stone mason for three years, and an Angle grinder was my main weapon, so I'm confident with that.

Is the Crash Bar welded on or held via Bolts? As if it's welded on, I'd imagine it's game over

Just take your time as the plastic bumper is slightly softer than stone!!!

As above crash bar bolts to chassis,it's just due to the amount you need to cut out of it you reduce the strength massively,so it needs the seams rewelding to retain its strength.

You will need a set of spline bits too,not usaully in a normal tool kit

Cool.. well it might be going back yet. Just been out to change some bulbs, refill washer fluid etc.. Thought I'd check the oil.. it's used some. So checked the oil filler cap and there's a build up of white sludge.

No coolant loss whatsoever. Same place it was sat at after the cambelt change.

Isn't this the prerequisite to a head gasket?

Edit - just read it's normal on short journeys where it doesn't reach temperature.. I've done a few past few days!

Edited 22 January, 201610 yr by MidWalesVRS

More likely just condensation that's been sitting on the top of the rocker cover from the hot oil / cold air giving Mayo after a long time.

Quite common if you do short drives.

More likely just condensation that's been sitting on the top of the rocker cover from the hot oil / cold air giving Mayo after a long time.

Quite common if you do short drives.

Yea just did a frantic search of the brisky knowledge bank - I've done a few lately.

Were in the process of a mortgage application, and this was supposed to be the project car for me - but the application has gone in in the meantime and I've not got any money for a petrol runaround for them shorter journeys!

Meh... I wouldn't worry about it. I use mine for short journeys sometimes, just make sure to take it on a long run when you can to get the oil nice and hot.

A good idea to do more servicing as well.

Just take your time as the plastic bumper is slightly softer than stone!!!

As above crash bar bolts to chassis,it's just due to the amount you need to cut out of it you reduce the strength massively,so it needs the seams rewelding to retain its strength.

You will need a set of spline bits too,not usaully in a normal tool kit

Not too much softer Kev! Spline bits are something I've been after for a while :-) that and a nice torque wrench.

Will I need to get new clips for the boost pipes?

Your standard boost pipes don't have any hose clips on them,they use a push in fitting with a big C clip to hold pipe in.

I thought the Airtec kit came with hose clips?

I ended up buying a little draper set for not much money it contains 3/8 and 1/2" adapters along with various long and short hex, spline and torx fittings. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tx-Star-Spline-Mechanics-Piece-Draper/dp/B00K1FB5XU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453457520&sr=8-1&keywords=Draper+spline

Although the price seems to have risen since I brought it, it's still a handy bit of kit to have at your disposal.

Edited 22 January, 201610 yr by theezenutz

Lovely jubbly :-) I think previous owner has popper jubilee clips around the fitments on my boost pipes, which has got me confused Kev.

Might be worth getting a garage to do the turbo and FMIC at the same time!

Edited 22 January, 201610 yr by MidWalesVRS

If you take it to a garage fitting the cooler will be expensive!

As they won't have done one before.

Have you got a pic of your current boost hoses?

as a hose clip can't be used to hold standard ones in place as the rubber pipe sits inside the hard pipe.

Where abouts in mid wales are you?

Edited 22 January, 201610 yr by coskev

Haven't got a picture on me phone but I can take some tomorrow when the light returns!

:-)

I'm in Welshpool

Those are the clips

Yeah they are the standard clips, they wont be any good for the silicone bends etc..

Pretty sure my airtec kit came with all the clamps needed.

Cheers for that Hutchy

When we're talking about it being a difficult job? Are we just referring to the Crash Bar/Bumper trimming that's difficult? Or is the actual cooler fitting and pipework a pain in the jacksie?

Edited 23 January, 201610 yr by MidWalesVRS

Cutting the rad pack support panel will prob be the hardest part,as it's still attached to the car when your doing it and you need to avoid damaging the AC rad and radiator.

The crash bar and bumper are both being cut off the car,so not as bad,although cutting the inside of bumper is a slow job as it's hard to mark out where you need to cut out.

Cutting the rad pack support panel will prob be the hardest part,as it's still attached to the car when your doing it and you need to avoid damaging the AC rad and radiator.

The crash bar and bumper are both being cut off the car,so not as bad,although cutting the inside of bumper is a slow job as it's hard to mark out where you need to cut out.

I'll give it a go then! I'll see how far I can get

It will be one of those jobs you can't put a time scale on,so don't start it if you've got a morning free but need the car back on the road for after dinner!

Depending on when you tackle it I might be able to help if you get stuck,but all depends on my shifts as I work alot of weekends.