Dude can I stretch your fenders so it looks like you have an RS4?

 

You had me at stretch.

 

Update: Everybody's back from WF.

It looks like even an APR FMIC will require a new front bumper. SON OF A B**** this is getting ridiculously expensive.

$725 for an OEM 2000 S4 bumper. + Paint and install.

About half of an OEM RS4 bumper, which is nice but DAMN. At this point I'm looking at a total expenditure of approx double the value of the car.

Now I'm considering throwing the FMIC overboard.

If I do the FMIC, I would get the bumper...but then I would want the sideskirts at least. Possibly a complete paint job (it's original paint now, in decent shape, but could use some definite work in spots).

Ugh, help, advice, recommendations...anything would be greatly appreciated.

 

Two points - scour the net for a used S4 bumper (or an RS4 rep). They should be available for $400 or so. Two - consider an upgraded sidemount IC - possibly an RS4 OEM IC could be used - I know guys that use them on Stage 3 S4s at upwards of 20psi with great results (read: no detonation and corrected crank dyno numbers beginning with "5"). Ask your shop if they think that or another SMIC is up to the task. It may well be.

 

could he run a racetech FMIC? i know you can run those with the stock bumper.

 

Don't even consider an OEM RS4 bumper. They're built for the OEM widebody and will require a lot of hacking, bending, and prodding to fit your car. I would look for a used S4 bumper from a part out, or an RS4 replica.

 

Thanks for the quick reply devil. I've been browsing RS4 replica bumpers and read a lot of the debate about them (fiberglass, hybrids, abs, etc.) They certainly are a lot cheaper. LLTek seems to have a nice selection. I didn't quite see them for as cheap as you mentioned. TMTuning has them for less than $400US, but the shipping across the pond is probably a couple hundred. I'll have to keep checking these out. Some of the rep's do seem really nice and also seem to mention either a hybrid type material, or ABS (which would obviously be better than fiberglass).

The shop was real nice and already started looking at TyrolSport SMIC for me. TyrolSport UG SMIC Intercooler for B5 Passat/A4 1.8T

It's a few hundred less than the APR, but the biggest difference is obviously that I can keep OEM bumper. I read a few posts on the web indicating some minor vent mod to the fender line would be good to increase airflow to the SMIC. big smic vs fmic question

Either way, both suggestions are very helpful, thanks! Very impressed with the 5XX hp numbers you are talking as well with the SMIC. My main concern is not to short change the turbo and/or risk detonation/disaster.

edit to add: North American Motorsports seems to also have good selection of Rep RS4 front bumpers around the prices you mention! Rieger RS4, ABS, no fogs $500: http://www.namotorsports.net/detail.cfm/part_cd/RI55025

 

good point. yes, to my understanding, you can run a Racetec FMIC with the stock bumper. they have a pic of the racetec fmic behind a stock bumper on their site: Racetec Engineering - B5 A4 FMIC

ringer actually has it for a few hundred cheaper as well.

i had looked at the racetec when doing homework on the fmics. i looked at them, apr, and evolution racewerks.

found this regarding the ractec, and it sorta turned me off:
Intercooler Case Analysis, B5 A4 20vt :: motorgeek.com

basically 034 found it only marginally better than stock, and the bottleneck point of the car they tested. now that car is making a lot more hp than mine but it still shook me a bit.

i did not notice this earlier, but i see the 034 motorsports fmic says it will work with the stock front bumper "with trimming". Intercooler Kit, B5 A4, Large Core - 034 MOTORSPORT

that will probably be my next question to the shop, "thoughts on the 034 fmic?"

thanks again guys.

oh, CCA4 - you bet man, staying 100% clear of the OEM RS4 bumper. I don't need that hassle, or cost at this point!

 

has anyone or could it be done..run two SMIC? one on each side like the S4's? there should be room....right?

 

wow! never looked at that article on the racetec IC before. shocking