AWE Tuning has done it again. We upgraded the most effective and comprehensively tested intercooler kit on the 2.7T market. To meet customer demand, we are now using the highest quality cast end tanks on our 2.7 turbo kits.

The stock 2.7T intercoolers become a power handicap at high boost levels, which is not surprising considering that the stock 2.7T boost level is just 8-9 psi. Every chip on the market, let alone upgraded turbo kit, runs almost double this boost level. This results in tangible power losses, especially when the outside temperatures rise.

Our final intercooler design uses a closely stacked bar and plate type core, to minimize pressure drops while maximizing heat transfer. Our design target was to exceed the cooling and flow capabilities of the Audi RS4 intercoolers, and we are pleased to provide detailed test results proving our design's superiority. Our intercoolers equal the RS4 intercooler flow rates and definitively conquer the RS4 intercooler temperature drops.

Why did we not choose a front mounted design (FMIC) for the 2.7T? Click here.

The construction of the AWE Tuning intercoolers is of the highest quality. Efficient cast endtanks are used to ensure maximum flow, and each intercooler assembly is pressure checked before it leaves our manufacturing facility.

3/4 View	Full Kit	Cast Endtank
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Not only did we want to produce an intercooler design that was clearly superior to the RS4 unit performance, but we also wanted to take the opportunity to design a kit that required very little modification to the US spec Audi 2.7T models during fitment. The RS4 intercooler units are made to fit the Europe only RS4, and mating them to a US spec 2.7T model requires significant cutting of both the intercoolers and the vehicle itself. Our design can be fitted in less than half the time of the typical RS4 kit. This means paying less for labor charges.

Some key fitment detail differences between our intercooler kit and the RS4 "kits":

• 100% coverage of the core face with our air ducts. RS4 kits leave gaps around face that lets cooling air escape
• No modification needed to the engine belly tray with our design
• Cores are 100% secure and supported with our design. RS4 kits have no way to secure the cores, resulting in the possibility of hose damage over time
• No modification or cutting of bumper required with our design

RS4 units were never intended to be used on the US S4 chassis, which requires extensive modifying or tweaking of the areas around the intercoolers to wedge them in there. The AWE Tuning intercoolers were designed and built to fit the US S4 chassis, resulting in a much better, cleaner fit with very little modification required.

The bulk of our side mount intercooler testing was conducted on S4s with our RSK04 kit installed. This is important to consider, given that as boost rises, so will boost drop due to core restriction. Thus, an intercooler can perform well at relatively low boost levels, but can begin to perform worse than stock if the boost drop is high enough to negate any gains seen from temperature drops.

When investigating intercoolers, ask for data that demonstrates how the kit will perform at 20psi boost levels, which is the norm for most current 2.7T turbo kits. If you are running less boost than this, then you can rest assured that there is sufficient headroom in the design if you decide to upgrade your turbos.

Each kit comes complete with two intercoolers, AWE Tuning air ducts, special bracketry, and a detailed installation manual. No specialty tools are required for install.

In order to fit A6 and Allroad models, some trimming of the bumper and shrouds is necessary.

Below is a brief synoposis of the currently available intercoolers for the Audi 2.7T models: