MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Performance Modifications => Topic started by: E30Dom on June 23, 2012, 07:33:18 pm

Title: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: E30Dom on June 23, 2012, 07:33:18 pm
Whats the deal with the S3 Intercooler...

1) Does it need to be the metal end tank one?
2) Whats the order of the radiators/coolers positions from front to back?
3) Will the S3 unit cope with stage 2/2+ or is it better to go aftermarket?
4) Is there a similar spec one on the Golf/Scirocco R? Is this the only reason these cars push more bhp on stage1 /2/2+
5) If I see a THS/Pro Alloy unit for an S3 will it fit the Golf Edition 30...
6) What else is needed?

Cheers,
Dom
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: DFish on June 23, 2012, 08:39:50 pm
Hopefully what I'm about to post ins't all crap. :)

1, they made them with both plastic and ally end tanks. Both should be good.
2, I'd think its AC, Intercooler then rad.
3, Yes it should cope with Stage 2/2+
4, The next up from the S3 I think are the APR/THS units.
5, It should do as they are all based on the same measurements.
6, Might need to replace/swap the pipes going to it.

Fish (waiting to be shot to bits)
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: GarethB on June 23, 2012, 08:46:00 pm
Have you considered a twintercooler Dom?
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: vRS Carl on June 23, 2012, 08:47:18 pm
1, Both. The Alloy ones seem to be more desirable and it's what i have on my Octy. The newer ones (iirc from 2010 onwards) are plastic ends.
2, Aircon, Cooler, Radiator in that order
3, I ran Stage 2 & Stage 2+ on my vRS with it no problem. I know others have run it on ED30's at Stage 2/2+ too
4, The Golf R/Rocco R have the Plastic end version iirc.
5, Yes
6, You need the S3 Cooler pipes and you may also need an adaptor to fit to the Turbo Discharge pipe. I can't remember what year they changed the position of the fitting lug.

Or

Hopefully what I'm about to post ins't all crap. :)

1, they made them with both plastic and ally end tanks. Both should be good.
2, I'd think its AC, Intercooler then rad.
3, Yes it should cope with Stage 2/2+
4, The next up from the S3 I think are the APR/THS units.
5, It should do as they are all based on the same measurements.
6, Might need to replace/swap the pipes going to it.

Fish (waiting to be shot to bits)

What he said  :laugh:

Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: E30Dom on June 23, 2012, 08:54:25 pm
Quite fancy one of these, so may have to wait till next year...

http://www.proalloy.co.uk/cgi-bin/sitewise.pl?act=det&pt=&p=1057&id=proalloy

Don't fancy the twintercooler... :indifferent:
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: vRS Carl on June 23, 2012, 08:57:33 pm
Are you planning on running big bhp?

If you're not the S3 Cooler will easily cope with the circa 330bhp of Stage 2+ ED30 and will save you about £300 in the process.
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: E30Dom on June 23, 2012, 09:08:51 pm
Are you planning on running big bhp?

If you're not the S3 Cooler will easily cope with the circa 330bhp of Stage 2+ ED30 and will save you about £300 in the process.

Haha you never know... just like to use the best parts I can just in case... and as it's a pig to do, I don;t wanna pay for labour twice if you get me...
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: sub39h on June 23, 2012, 09:44:12 pm
have you looked at Airtec intercoolers?

someone said they're quite well regarded by Ford drivers, and they've now started making stuff for VAG

also Pro-Alloy. apparently the same size/ability as THS but lighter
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: chungster on June 23, 2012, 09:45:22 pm
What's wrong with the Twintercooler setup? Works great on mine I have to say  :happy2:
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: GarethB on June 23, 2012, 09:47:10 pm
What's wrong with the Twintercooler setup? Works great on mine I have to say  :happy2:

X2

Plus it is a doddle to fit  :happy2:
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: Tamiyoman on June 25, 2012, 09:50:28 am
Are you planning on running big bhp?

If you're not the S3 Cooler will easily cope with the circa 330bhp of Stage 2+ ED30 and will save you about £300 in the process.

Jabbaluke's ED30 is running approx 400bhp (Hybrid K04) and using S3 intercooler  :happy2: :happy2:
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: E30Dom on June 25, 2012, 09:53:20 am
Hmmm might just go S3 then... found new metal end tanked ones for £252 this about right? Is this something I could fit myself or best off gett JKM to fit...

Dom
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: dan930 on June 25, 2012, 09:56:24 am
Hmmm might just go S3 then... found new metal end tanked ones for £252 this about right? Is this something I could fit myself or best off gett JKM to fit...

Dom

Where did you find the s3 ic mate, I might be going down this route too
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: E30Dom on June 25, 2012, 10:01:15 am
On ebay matey...
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: DFish on June 25, 2012, 10:10:16 am
Not sure if this will be removed, but Darkside Developments have them cheaper. :)

Fish
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: Sammy on June 25, 2012, 10:31:23 am
I got my S3 intercooler from eBay for £75 bargain!
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: E30Dom on June 25, 2012, 10:32:41 am
Not sure if this will be removed, but Darkside Developments have them cheaper. :)

Fish

Dunno why it'd be removed, doubt the site guys get any love from eBay...  :signLOL:
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: fab5freddy on June 25, 2012, 12:34:48 pm
Sorry lads, shameless plug :innocent:

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,48344.0.html (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,48344.0.html)

Might be of interest
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: 56OctyVRS on June 25, 2012, 02:42:40 pm
It doesnt matter which S3 intercooler you fit as both have the same core and thats what is important. Me and The Bruce had a long debate about this quite a while ago and what I couldnt get him to see was the end tanks do nothing for cooling the charged air. That is down to the core. The end tanks just direct the charged air in and out of the core. It is really personal choice as to which you fit.
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: Tamiyoman on June 25, 2012, 03:09:47 pm
It doesnt matter which S3 intercooler you fit as both have the same core and thats what is important. Me and The Bruce had a long debate about this quite a while ago and what I couldnt get him to see was the end tanks do nothing for cooling the charged air. That is down to the core. The end tanks just direct the charged air in and out of the core. It is really personal choice as to which you fit.

I was told to get the Alloy S3 intercooler with Alloy end tanks, was told they were more efficient and held higher boost than plastic end tanked version, I was originally looking to add FMIC but advised that S3 would be more than adequate.  :happy2:
Title: Re: S3 Intercoolers
Post by: 56OctyVRS on June 25, 2012, 03:19:43 pm
The levels of boost we run on these cars is no where near the danger levels of being able to blow an intercooler. Unless you are running big bhp like 500bhp plus and a big turbocharger (K04s are still small by comparison to other turbos) I wouldnt worry about it. The new S3s that use these still make the same power when tuned than when fitted with the metal ended tank intercoolers.