I actually had the same thought! Use both? It would definately increase the turbo lag due to the extra flow distance. I guess someone has to try it. The actual flow distance wont change that much as the intake pipes take a similar path.You would beonly increasing the lenght by say 30% so I imagineonly the efficiency of the FMIC would be the major drawback.... except of course the tricky piping!. Ideally the intercooler pipe should join as one and enter the FMIC with one inlet and pipe into the throttle body as one, similar to the GTR. You also have the extra wieght. An interesting test would be to hook up half of the FMIC and leave one stock / RS4 intercooler and measure the intake temperature in each intake track as it goes into the throttle body.

http://www.europeancarweb.com/events.../photo_16.html

http://toasthost.com/achtuning/gallery/fmic

 

Any idea on the fan situation? Should I look into getting a lo-pro one or do you think I'll be set with stock and a lot of bumper trimming?

 

While the FMIC is more efficient, they are cost prohibitive.

If you think the SMIC are a tight fit, the FMIC is also.

Other then the "DUH" FMIC kit, and Autospeed (yet to come to market) the only way is DIY.
1. get a core
2. fab moutns
3. fab hoses
4. cut bumper to fit
5. relocate fan
To me it seams like a LOT of work for only a little more HP gain. What's the pressure drop difference from stock S4 IC's? How much more heat does the radiator need to dissipate?
May have longer piping then the SMIC's.

The best design FMIC is one that has 2 inlets, one outlet that goes right to the TB. So no more Bi-pip, or TBB. But that's even more work!

RS4's & AWE's all work, and are easy to install, & are not really that expensive. I will have to see some dyno chart proof of what a FMIC can do compared to AWE's or RS4's. My guess is not all that much.

 

Where is the fan relocated to though? This is the main part thats getting in my way. I'll tell everyone how it works out this weekend if I can figure out the fan situation.

 

I have a Canadian car, so I don't have that outside fan. I just have an electrical fan next to the belt driven one.

 

Do you think it would be worth it to just remove the fan altogether or try to wedge the fan between the intercooler and radiator?

 

You need a fan for the AC, so if you have one on the inside that should be OK, as that's what I have stock.
With a FMIC, you want as much airflow between the IC & radiator, you DO NOT want any turbulence there!!

 

Do you know why the canadian models did not come with the auxilary fan? Do you know of any possible side effects that would come with the deletion? I live in New England so the summers are rarely overly hot.

 

heres the fmic i bought:

and i just realized the core looks really small.. is it just me or does it seem like the surface area of 2 rs4 smic's, jut in the front?

 

That FMIC looks likea interesting design having the inlets and outlets on the same side is probably an advantage for pumbing. Its going to have better access to the cooler air being at the front but the surface area appears to be similar to the S4 / RS4 intercoolers. It will be interesting to see what gains are to be had.