Summary of Racetec FMIC install experience
01-25-2008, 08:38 AM
#1
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Summary of Racetec FMIC install experience
OK here is finally a summary of my Racetec FMIC install on a 2001 A4 DBW with sock front bumper.
First general comments:
1) For the amateurs such as myself, take the estimated install time and multiply by at least 5. It took me close to 30 hours to do this job. Next time I'll just stick to electronics and have this type of work it done by a pro.
2) Having the instructions BEFORE beginning the work saves time and avoids frustration. Thanks to the fellows at Racetec for emailing me the instructions.
3) Having the car repair manuals helps.
4) Having a Dremel tool with the heavy duty cutting wheel is essential.
5) Having the proper sockets set is essential.
Racetec FMIC comments:
1) Well, looking at this picture, it's no wonder that the stock SMIC performs poorly. Compare the surface of the two ICs.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/22981/audi_ics.jpg">
2) There a significant trimming required of the stock bumper to get the FMIC to fit. Not much clearance in front. Probably I should have gotten the S4 bumper before doing this. Check out the extra trimming require on the left and right grill area as well as the outer center grill posts. In addition, I had to drill some holes at the bottom (red circles) to allow the FMIC alternate mount point to clear (see next picture, bottom arrows).
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/22981/audibumperdrivside_s.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/22981/audibumperfront_s.jpg">
The side grills also require significant trimmings.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/22981/audisidegriltrim.jpg">
3) ##$@$$!!! secondary air pump (smog pump). I had to cut part of the bracket
4) The sensor attachment on the driver side pipe feeding to the air intake manifold hose faces the front of the car (would have been better if facing the back). The wire for my sensor was too short to reach and I had to solder on an extension.
5) Seems like the original Audi hose clamps works better and are smaller (space is limited in many areas) than the supplied T-bolt clamps. I ended re-using all the original ones.
6) A 45 or 90 degree hose for connecting the DV would have been nice.
7) There's not a lot of clearance around the driver side fog light connector and the IC pipe.
8) Clamp off the @#@$#@ head light washer hose before unhooking the connection.
9) Removing the left and right bumper carriers really helps during the laborious bumper fitting session.
10) Did I mention the !@#@#$#%#@ secondary air pump?
In the end, I pressure tested to ~22 psi. I had to remove all the hoses at the turbo inlet to do this. Seems to work now, as tested on my short commute this morning.
In summary, the lesson is that I had to do this again I would get the S4 bumper, have it done by a pro.
First general comments:
1) For the amateurs such as myself, take the estimated install time and multiply by at least 5. It took me close to 30 hours to do this job. Next time I'll just stick to electronics and have this type of work it done by a pro.
2) Having the instructions BEFORE beginning the work saves time and avoids frustration. Thanks to the fellows at Racetec for emailing me the instructions.
3) Having the car repair manuals helps.
4) Having a Dremel tool with the heavy duty cutting wheel is essential.
5) Having the proper sockets set is essential.
Racetec FMIC comments:
1) Well, looking at this picture, it's no wonder that the stock SMIC performs poorly. Compare the surface of the two ICs.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/22981/audi_ics.jpg">
2) There a significant trimming required of the stock bumper to get the FMIC to fit. Not much clearance in front. Probably I should have gotten the S4 bumper before doing this. Check out the extra trimming require on the left and right grill area as well as the outer center grill posts. In addition, I had to drill some holes at the bottom (red circles) to allow the FMIC alternate mount point to clear (see next picture, bottom arrows).
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/22981/audibumperdrivside_s.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/22981/audibumperfront_s.jpg">
The side grills also require significant trimmings.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/22981/audisidegriltrim.jpg">
3) ##$@$$!!! secondary air pump (smog pump). I had to cut part of the bracket
4) The sensor attachment on the driver side pipe feeding to the air intake manifold hose faces the front of the car (would have been better if facing the back). The wire for my sensor was too short to reach and I had to solder on an extension.
5) Seems like the original Audi hose clamps works better and are smaller (space is limited in many areas) than the supplied T-bolt clamps. I ended re-using all the original ones.
6) A 45 or 90 degree hose for connecting the DV would have been nice.
7) There's not a lot of clearance around the driver side fog light connector and the IC pipe.
8) Clamp off the @#@$#@ head light washer hose before unhooking the connection.
9) Removing the left and right bumper carriers really helps during the laborious bumper fitting session.
10) Did I mention the !@#@#$#%#@ secondary air pump?
In the end, I pressure tested to ~22 psi. I had to remove all the hoses at the turbo inlet to do this. Seems to work now, as tested on my short commute this morning.
In summary, the lesson is that I had to do this again I would get the S4 bumper, have it done by a pro.
01-25-2008, 08:47 AM
#3
AudiWorld Uber User
I didn't have to cut so much on the bumper itself. Just on the backs of the painted "pillars"
and that wasn't even required, but to keep the bumper off the silicone couplers. I didn't reuse the grilles and I don't have fog lights anymore, so I can't comment on those. I did end up making holes in the valance for the nubs. The only problem with just getting an S4 bumper is that it looks off on a car with black lowers. Even painted lowers don't look right since they don't go as close to the ground as the bumper does.
