MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Performance Modifications => Topic started by: Martyndg on December 03, 2017, 10:48:33 am

Title: Intercooler question
Post by: Martyndg on December 03, 2017, 10:48:33 am
So I’ve been looking around at intercooler for a while. Has anybody used or have any experience with these

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F372029615887

They look good quality but as always with eBay I’m skeptical.


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Title: Re: Intercooler question
Post by: pudding on December 04, 2017, 09:45:26 am
Looks like a Chinese S3 clone.  A lot of people swear by ebay intercoolers, but as you say, being ebay there's obviously more of a risk of pin hole leaks or high pressure drops than a big brand or OEM.
Title: Re: Intercooler question
Post by: Martyndg on December 06, 2017, 09:49:01 pm
I’m always a little un sure on eBay stuff but the downpipe I got was perfectly fine. It’s just very tempting as it is almost half the price as oem.


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Title: Re: Intercooler question
Post by: Manny_ED30 on December 07, 2017, 11:42:53 am
Came across this on ebay..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-FRONT-MOUNT-INTERCOOLER-FMIC-KIT-VOLKSWAGEN-VW-GOLF-MK5-MK6-2-0-TDI-GTI-R/151119499519?fits=Plat_Gen%3AMK+VI&hash=item232f6c90ff:g:-mYAAOSwi2lZiy0R

Curious myself if anyone on here has one and can provide any feedback. But Intercoolers are a tricky one as some of vastly overpriced because of the brand stamp. My brother uses a Toyosport FMIC on his mk2 1.8t and it's worked fine. Plenty of the above item sold though...
Title: Re: Intercooler question
Post by: pudding on December 08, 2017, 10:06:11 am
If in doubt, get an S3/6R one from the dealer which is only £50 (+VAT) more than these ebay examples.   You can feel secure in the fact they would have done proper flow analysis and pressure testing on it before putting it anywhere near a vehicle, as well as OEM due diligence on stress/fatigue and cross climate testing.

There is some snootiness surrounding the plastic end tanks but in reality, they contribute very little to the overall cooling capacity on a day to day road car.  Audi dropped the all aluminum one for the 2009 MY S3.  They wouldn't have done so if the cost/benefit analysis deemed the ally one to be vastly superior.  Audi have always gone the extra mile on everything compared to VW (tighter shut lines, ally instead of steel, thicker insulation, etc etc) so it's interesting the 6R and S3 share the same intercooler.

Anyway, I have no doubt the ebay ones work, but to what degree?  How much of the air entering and exiting the core is evenly distributed across the entire area?  In some cases, the air is only distributed through the bottom half of the cooler because the end tank design is rubbish.  The bigger brand coolers put a lot more effort into that.  Intercooler volume is another consideration because the bigger they are, the laggier the throttle response will feel.
Title: Re: Intercooler question
Post by: Ant b on December 20, 2017, 09:03:20 pm
Came across this on ebay..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-FRONT-MOUNT-INTERCOOLER-FMIC-KIT-VOLKSWAGEN-VW-GOLF-MK5-MK6-2-0-TDI-GTI-R/151119499519?fits=Plat_Gen%3AMK+VI&hash=item232f6c90ff:g:-mYAAOSwi2lZiy0R

Curious myself if anyone on here has one and can provide any feedback. But Intercoolers are a tricky one as some of vastly overpriced because of the brand stamp. My brother uses a Toyosport FMIC on his mk2 1.8t and it's worked fine. Plenty of the above item sold though...
That does look smart,be interesting to no if it’s anygood as are be after one soon
Title: Re: Intercooler question
Post by: Ant b on April 30, 2018, 06:18:38 pm
Any updates on this