Not so stealth APR Stage 3+ install with APR front mount IC and the stock bumper.
01-11-2006, 12:59 PM
#1
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Not so stealth APR Stage 3+ install with APR front mount IC and the stock bumper.
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/4461/apr_install_027.jpg"></center><p>
We just got done with this install on a customers 2002 A4 1.8 and I am very impressed how well this kit was designed. It fit very well with only minor modifications above and beyond 'plug and play'. We added a few things, like stronger brackets to secure the IC to the frame as opposed to the radiator support. This will prevent the IC from getting stuffed into the condensorif the IC should hit something, say while parking. Absolutely no ground clearance has been sacrificed, while most aftermarket bumper covers have that snow plow tendency, which is bad news in the Northeast where we get snow and potholes rule the road.
I was told the stock bumper would look like *** with the large front mount, but as you can see IMO, it looks pretty good. In fact, you can barely tell it was modified other than the IC pipes on the very bottom right. The fact is, the internal bumper modifications were significant. The pictures makes the pipes look more noticable than it actually is, for sure.
On the downside, other than the obvious visibility of the IC pipes using the stock bumper blocks about 45% of the IC, but it's not the end of the world for now.
Before this kit, we had the PES turbo kit on this car. We were never able to get this kit to run right. It made only slightly more power than the stock KO3 with a chip. This is only after the car was driven to PES to have GIAC attempt to get the software to work right, but they failed big time!! The kit literally fell apart within a year. The manifold cracked, all the studs broke off the turbo to manifold connection etc, etc... And nothing fit as it should. Nothing.... It always had, boost, detonation, idle issues and CELs. Overall it was a disaster. And may I be so bold as to say PES was not at all helpful when their hardware failed, or even before that, for that matter.
This APR kit was a pleasure to install by comparison. They actually called to see how the install was going. I was pleased with APR customer service. Everything was top quality and it was a very, very complete kit. We had instant success with the way the car ran and performed. The biggest problem we have now is that the OE clutch can not hold the torque in the upper gears. I guess that's not really a problem though, or at least it's a welcome problem :-)
As far as power, It will hang with a chipped S4 2.7 with stock turbos no problem.
Power comes on HARD yet smooth after 3500 rpm and all the way to redine, and the torque in forth and fifth gear is sublime. No need to downshift to pass, even in fith gear! Too bad the clutch isn't letting me feel this kits full potential, but I get the idea :-) Aftermarket Clutch soon to follow
If you click on the link provided, you can see some pictures of the install in no organized order. I'm still not 100% done with the IC pipes that are exposed on the lower drivers side, but they will be sitting were they are now in the end. I'd like to devise a way to cover them. Ideas are welcome.
It will take a while to load, but I knew no other way to display these.
Rick<ul><li><a href="http://www.broadwayautoclinic.com/APR%20STAGE%203+%20install.htm">APR Stage 3 Install</a></li></ul>
We just got done with this install on a customers 2002 A4 1.8 and I am very impressed how well this kit was designed. It fit very well with only minor modifications above and beyond 'plug and play'. We added a few things, like stronger brackets to secure the IC to the frame as opposed to the radiator support. This will prevent the IC from getting stuffed into the condensorif the IC should hit something, say while parking. Absolutely no ground clearance has been sacrificed, while most aftermarket bumper covers have that snow plow tendency, which is bad news in the Northeast where we get snow and potholes rule the road.
I was told the stock bumper would look like *** with the large front mount, but as you can see IMO, it looks pretty good. In fact, you can barely tell it was modified other than the IC pipes on the very bottom right. The fact is, the internal bumper modifications were significant. The pictures makes the pipes look more noticable than it actually is, for sure.
On the downside, other than the obvious visibility of the IC pipes using the stock bumper blocks about 45% of the IC, but it's not the end of the world for now.
Before this kit, we had the PES turbo kit on this car. We were never able to get this kit to run right. It made only slightly more power than the stock KO3 with a chip. This is only after the car was driven to PES to have GIAC attempt to get the software to work right, but they failed big time!! The kit literally fell apart within a year. The manifold cracked, all the studs broke off the turbo to manifold connection etc, etc... And nothing fit as it should. Nothing.... It always had, boost, detonation, idle issues and CELs. Overall it was a disaster. And may I be so bold as to say PES was not at all helpful when their hardware failed, or even before that, for that matter.
This APR kit was a pleasure to install by comparison. They actually called to see how the install was going. I was pleased with APR customer service. Everything was top quality and it was a very, very complete kit. We had instant success with the way the car ran and performed. The biggest problem we have now is that the OE clutch can not hold the torque in the upper gears. I guess that's not really a problem though, or at least it's a welcome problem :-)
As far as power, It will hang with a chipped S4 2.7 with stock turbos no problem.
Power comes on HARD yet smooth after 3500 rpm and all the way to redine, and the torque in forth and fifth gear is sublime. No need to downshift to pass, even in fith gear! Too bad the clutch isn't letting me feel this kits full potential, but I get the idea :-) Aftermarket Clutch soon to follow
If you click on the link provided, you can see some pictures of the install in no organized order. I'm still not 100% done with the IC pipes that are exposed on the lower drivers side, but they will be sitting were they are now in the end. I'd like to devise a way to cover them. Ideas are welcome.
It will take a while to load, but I knew no other way to display these.
Rick<ul><li><a href="http://www.broadwayautoclinic.com/APR%20STAGE%203+%20install.htm">APR Stage 3 Install</a></li></ul>
01-11-2006, 01:24 PM
#2
While I don't doubt the power and quality of the APR S3+ kit,
the fitment of the APR FMIC with the stock bumper looks really terrible. The Ecode FMIC looks much better behind the stock bumper.
01-11-2006, 01:29 PM
#3
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the tubing blows your cover if you're trying to "look stock"
if i'm willing to spend the money for a stage 3+ and fmic...i think i would spend just a tad more for an aftermarket bumper.
01-11-2006, 01:32 PM
#4
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Thread Starter
No doubt, but so would an aftermarket bumper cover.
All in all though, it looks very good. And if the customer desires, we can paint the pipes dark grey to match better, but I feel it may chip because it's very exposed to stones and such.
Other than the very bottom towards the drivers side, the IC fits perfectly, and cannot be seen at all.
I'm sure when he recovers from this install, we'll be putting a new cover on, bit for now, we are all pleased.
Other than the very bottom towards the drivers side, the IC fits perfectly, and cannot be seen at all.
I'm sure when he recovers from this install, we'll be putting a new cover on, bit for now, we are all pleased.
01-11-2006, 01:40 PM
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The APR FMIC itself looks good...
and seems to adhere to solid IC design principles, but for the money and the other available products that DO fit (Ecode, ER, Racetec, etc.), having IC tubing stick out like that isn't really acceptable, IMHO.
What I don't get is that the Stage 3 USP on SCR last year had a FMIC (I assume it was an APR unit) and the tubing fit behind the bumper, no?
What I don't get is that the Stage 3 USP on SCR last year had a FMIC (I assume it was an APR unit) and the tubing fit behind the bumper, no?
