Found the 200 Ebay FMIC for 155 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...viewitem=&_trkparms=clkid=8901571605616101724

Course it was after i bought the one without free shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350341057075&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Just dang.

Wait wait, the cheaper kit is 2.225 and the other one is 2.5 and I notice it comes with two rubbber 90 degree hoses that the first does not.

heres one even better

heres the universal 2.5" pipe kit for approx $90 shipped

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-5-UNIVERSAL-TURBO-INTERCOOLER-PIPING-KIT-W-U-PIPE-/150431386111?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item230668c9ff

heres the 2.5" intercooler for $60 shipped


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSAL-400mm-27-X-5-X-2-5-ALUMINUM-TURBO-INTERCOOLER-/190377714628?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c536563c4


$150 shipped total for the 2.5 intercooler and piping..

few questions..has anyone ever tested the efficiency on these ebay IC's? e.g. flow rate, iat's temperature drop? and regarding the map sensor, how does that work?

dylanispro said:

few questions..has anyone ever tested the efficiency on these ebay IC's? e.g. flow rate, iat's temperature drop? and regarding the map sensor, how does that work?

Click to expand...

Yes... IATs dropped significantly. As far the MAP sensor, add a flange to the pipe.

and as being someone who has a 2.5" DEEP FMIC and totally destroyed his front bumper getting it to fit, I recommend a slimmer depth IC, 2" max.

TDikook said:

and as being someone who has a 2.5" DEEP FMIC and totally destroyed his front bumper getting it to fit, I recommend a slimmer depth IC, 2" max.

Click to expand...

I would definitely have to agree. Deep FMICs are a royal pain to fit and the bumper is pretty much destroyed when you get done... or at least mine was

My 2.5" thick intercooler fit just fine with only minor trimming.. Joe's fit even better, almost no bumper trimming... The one I have on there now is 3", and it didn't fit so easily..

The cheaper kits don't have the silicone 90* elbows... You pretty much need both of those to do the project, and purchasing them separately will probably cost the extra 30-40 anyway..

Yea, i noticed the cheaper kits didn't have the elbows.

I need a new front bumper anyway, so I'll use my old one as a prototype.

I'm excited about the FMIC for the price and even if it takes a day to put it on it's worth the extra performance and money saved.

I'm glad ya'll turned me on to it.

TDIJetta99 said:

My 2.5" thick intercooler fit just fine with only minor trimming.. Joe's fit even better, almost no bumper trimming... The one I have on there now is 3", and it didn't fit so easily..

The cheaper kits don't have the silicone 90* elbows... You pretty much need both of those to do the project, and purchasing them separately will probably cost the extra 30-40 anyway..

Click to expand...

The 'deep' intercooler I was referring to was 3.5" thick. Needless to say both the bumper and radiator support required trimming

Problem is the intercooler has 2.25 inlet/outlet.. so best to get the 2.25 piping kit :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110519553820&viewitem=
I bought a whole kit for 145 shipped.. it was the same IC but 2.5 pipes. Complained... they are taking back the pipes and I bought that 2.25 piping kit. The fit looks great.. and the IC is bar and plate.

Cleaner13 said:

heres one even better

heres the universal 2.5" pipe kit for approx $90 shipped

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-5-UNIVERSAL-TURBO-INTERCOOLER-PIPING-KIT-W-U-PIPE-/150431386111?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item230668c9ff

heres the 2.5" intercooler for $60 shipped


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSAL-400mm-27-X-5-X-2-5-ALUMINUM-TURBO-INTERCOOLER-/190377714628?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c536563c4


$150 shipped total for the 2.5 intercooler and piping..

Click to expand...

robnitro said:

Problem is the intercooler has 2.25 inlet/outlet.. so best to get the 2.25 piping kit :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110519553820&viewitem=
I bought a whole kit for 145 shipped.. it was the same IC but 2.5 pipes. Complained... they are taking back the pipes and I bought that 2.25 piping kit. The fit looks great.. and the IC is bar and plate.

Click to expand...

your right, I completely missed the 2.25 and thought the 2.5 referred to the tube diameter, good thing you picked up on that

does anywhere carry something like this except black powder coated? I don't want a big silver grin.

It's better not to skimp $50-60 and get the tougher to fit IC. If you search around you can find a good match and all hardware <$300 and it is still less than $900 etc.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/VW-BEETLE-PASSAT-27-INTERCOOLER-2-5-PIPING-KIT-/320522112476?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4aa09b4ddc

This is the cheapest one I could find for Canada. Anyone find anything better any thoughts input on this one?

Roughly $250.00 CAD shipped.

Problem, it has the 2.5 pipes but the IC uses 2.25. Get the 2.25 IC alone, and the 2.25 piping kit separately. Or if you want to get a bigger intercooler, get the kit with the 2.5

I have this IC and it looks like it will fit without trimming.. I will know tomorrow. The only thing I had to prepare was to use PVC couplings to convert the turbo outlet from its size to 2.25 , where the silicone coupler can clamp on to. If you don't want to do that, you can use the stock pancake pipe, which has a 2.25 outlet.

TimDI said:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/VW-BEETLE-PASSAT-27-INTERCOOLER-2-5-PIPING-KIT-/320522112476?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4aa09b4ddc

This is the cheapest one I could find for Canada. Anyone find anything better any thoughts input on this one?

Roughly $250.00 CAD shipped.

Click to expand...

I just bought a 2004 Jetta Wagon and the tubing leaks at the throttle inlet (KermaTDI has a dog collar nice fix for that) and the rest of the piping, side intercooler isn't so great either. It's easy to spend $1,000+ on a 2.5" exhaust upgrade with new pipe, cat, and downpipe. Seems that there might be more "bang for the buck" from a front mount intercooler and larger tubes. Saving on pumping losses (and air leaks) on the intake does as much for efficiency as less pressure drop on the exhaust. I can't afford the $1,000 for the exhaust (make that 2K+ plus with a new turbo). Seems like these FMIC kits are a commodity and competitively priced. Trick is getting one to fit nicely.

This thread is a few months old now. Anyone care to offer me some advice on the best FMIC to get along with pipes? Ebay has a ton of "universal fit" options.

Thanks.

mine is great quality it was made by cx racinig, make sure it is bar and plate...happy hunting.

My 3" deep intercooler wasn't very fun, but it fit, and I wanted the same side inlet outlet.

I've been inside CX Racings warehouse =) So many pipes n silicone adapters!

I've moved on from my CX Racing pipes (they worked out fine considering I did the fabbing) to Whitbread 2" or 2.25" pipes. Fit is much better, and the difference is negligible with the smaller pipes.

I wouldn't hesitate to do the job if you have any skill at all, and I'm a chef.

Just did mine. CX Racing 28x5.5x2.5" core 2.25" pipe. $135 + 20 shipping. $70 17/22 rubber hose from IDparts, $25 shipped for 45* silicone hose. Had to do some trimming on bumper cover but not to much, and had to notch the skid plate on the driver side for the tubing to clear (about 4"x9")... Looks and works great IATs are lower and it pulls harder and longer in the rpm range Took the better half of the day to get-er-done...

kooyajerms said:

My 3" deep intercooler wasn't very fun, but it fit, and I wanted the same side inlet outlet.

I've been inside CX Racings warehouse =) So many pipes n silicone adapters!

I've moved on from my CX Racing pipes (they worked out fine considering I did the fabbing) to Whitbread 2" or 2.25" pipes. Fit is much better, and the difference is negligible with the smaller pipes.

I wouldn't hesitate to do the job if you have any skill at all, and I'm a chef.

Click to expand...

So is Scuba - just look at that rig and you know it's no mechanics car. JK Scuba you know I'm secretly lusting after that wicked ratrod of yours.

I have a 2004 wagon also.

Here is my FMIC

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=300211

$1000 is way too much for an exhaust. You can get a local muffler shop to fab up one cheaper, i got a 2.5 system for $200 installed plus $300 for the DP.

if your not changing the turbo, I would not change the exhaust.

Richptl said:

I just bought a 2004 Jetta Wagon and the tubing leaks at the throttle inlet (KermaTDI has a dog collar nice fix for that) and the rest of the piping, side intercooler isn't so great either. It's easy to spend $1,000+ on a 2.5" exhaust upgrade with new pipe, cat, and downpipe. Seems that there might be more "bang for the buck" from a front mount intercooler and larger tubes. Saving on pumping losses (and air leaks) on the intake does as much for efficiency as less pressure drop on the exhaust. I can't afford the $1,000 for the exhaust (make that 2K+ plus with a new turbo). Seems like these FMIC kits are a commodity and competitively priced. Trick is getting one to fit nicely.

This thread is a few months old now. Anyone care to offer me some advice on the best FMIC to get along with pipes? Ebay has a ton of "universal fit" options.

Thanks.

Click to expand...

on a side note on PD intercooler pipework leaks... On the snap lock fittings (where the dog collar goes) and the intercooler connections, you can use a thermostat seal for a 12 valve Cummins (NAPA# THM-1108) instead of the chincy o-rings.. It's a thick, square cut o-ring that's a little tough to get together, but once you get it in there it will not leak or rattle apart..

scubagli said:

mine is great quality it was made by cx racinig, make sure it is bar and plate...happy hunting.

Click to expand...

same here....i used cx racing intercooler and piping. The piping is nice and thick so it doesn't deform when you clamp down hard on it. The clamps and couplers that came with the piping were good quality.