ARM FMIC Kit for Mk8 GTI/Golf R

Overview

The ARM MK8 GTI FMIC gives your GTI or Golf R increased power and torque by reducing intake air temperatures, making it one of the best upgrades you can give your MK8. The ARM MK8 GTI FMIC positions the intercooler in front of your radiator stack, the most efficient position to cool your Gen 4 EA888. This is where the intercooler can utilize the ambient air where it is coolest, before it passes through your other radiators causing the temperatures to increase.

The ARM MK8 FMIC uses an efficient bar and plate core measuring 27.8 x 9.5 x 2.5 inches. Making the total intercooler volume 660 cubic inches. With the OEM intercooler coming in at 550 cubic inches, the ARM MK8 FMIC is 20% larger than the OEM unit, positioned in the optimal location, and rated at a 700HP efficiency. Due to it's position in front of the radiator stack, the ARM MK8 FMIC is significantly more efficient than OEM location intercoolers, and therefore does not require as large of a core to produce similar results. The ARM MK8 FMIC is the best pound for pound option for your MK8 GTI or Golf R!

Details

Highlights

• Improve Cooling Efficiency by 84%
• Lower IAT's
• True Front Mount Design
• 100% Bolt-On Installation
• No Cutting or Drilling Required

Construction

• High-efficiency bar-and-plate intercooler core measuring 27.8 x 9.5 x 2.5 inches, resulting in a total core volume of 660 cubic inches
• 2.5" intercooler piping at the inlet and outlet to connect directly to the factory charge pipes
• Dedicated ambient temperature sensor bracket
• Included in the ARM MK8 FMIC Kit are silicone caps

What's in the Box

• 1x ARM MK8 FMIC
• 1x MK8 FMIC Piping Driver Side
• 1x MK8 FMIC Piping Passenger Side
• 2x MK8 Mounting Brackets
• 2x FMIC to Piping Silicone Couplers
• 2x FMIC to ARM Charge Pipe Silicone Couplers
• 2x FMIC to OEM Charge Pipe Silicone Couplers
• 10x Constant Tension T-Bolt Clamps
• 2x FMIC to Bracket Bolts and Nuts
• 2x Bracket to Frame Bolts and Nuts
• 2x OEM Intercooler Block-Off Caps

Why Your MK8 Needs an Intercooler Upgrade

When you increase the power on your MK8 with a tune, you are raising the boost pressure by asking the turbocharger to spin faster. The faster the turbo spins, the higher the temperature your charge-air will become, as the turbines will generate more heat the faster they spin. When the ECU detects that the intake air temperature (IAT) becomes too high, it will reduce timing and limit the amount of power your engine can produce in order to avoid damage.

An intercooler upgrade is so essential for the MK8 platform, that most tuners require an upgraded intercooler for flashing your MK8 with any tune above a basic Stage 1 map. Since we need an intercooler to make the power we want and keep our MK8 running efficiently, the best solution is to have an intercooler that is as small as possible while still keeping intake air temperatures (IAT) low. This is exactly what the ARM MK8 FMIC Kit does.

Lower IAT's

At only 660 cu. in., the ARM MK8 GTI FMIC kept our project MK8 IAT's to a cool 21 degrees above ambient temperatures during 2nd - 4th gear pulls. During the pulls the IAT's only rose 7 degrees from the bottom of 2nd to the top of 4th! Compared to the OEM intercooler which rose to a blistering 114 degrees, 45 degree rise from start to finish. Even with a slight disadvantage due to higher ambient temperatures, ARM MK8 FMIC improved cooling efficiency by reducing the rise in IAT's by 84%! These runs were performed on an MT MK8R with a Stage 2+ tune running 28psi.

Installation

The ARM MK8 GTI FMIC is one of the easiest intercooler upgrades to install for the MK8 GTI. Like every intercooler upgrade for the MK8 platform, it does require the removal of your front bumper, but unlike stock-location intercooler upgrades it does not require any disassembling of the crash bar, radiator stack, or draining of the coolant. The ARM MK8 FMIC comes with MK8-specific mounting brackets to secure the FMIC without the need to cut or drill brackets into the crash bar. The full installation of the ARM MK8 FMIC only takes about 2-3 hours, even for the novice mechanic.

Bi-cooler Upgrade

If you're running or plan on running an upgraded turbo on your MK8, you will want to opt for the ARM MK8 Bi-Cooler Hose Upgrade. The ARM MK8 Bi-Cooler Hose Upgrade allows you to utilize a stock location intercooler (OEM or upgraded) in conjunction with the ARM MK8 FMIC giving your MK8 improved cooling efficiency over the ARM MK8 FMIC alone. This is only recommended if you already have a turbo upgrade or plan on installing one in the near future as it can cause a slight pressure drop on the OEM turbo.

Warranty & Off-Road Use

Every ARM Motorsports product is backed by a lifetime warranty which is automatically issued at the time of purchase. Your warranty protects you against any defects in craftsmanship or fitment. The warranty entitles you to a replacement unit.

Fitment