Next big gain on a 1.8T??

[1.8T_WOT]

The next big hp gain on a 1.8T with a stock KO3 (after DP, exhaust, ECU upgrade) is via an intercooler upgrade. Correct? Who's running new side-mounted (not front) intercoolers? What sort of gains? Bang for your buck?

[Duby T]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

From what I've heard, Tyrol Sport makes the best side mount intercooler. Test's have shown that it does just as good as most frontmount intercoolers.

You might also want to look at the new sidemount that boostfactory has just came out with. Apparently it is biggewr than the tyrol sport and has a larger core.

[R-Audi]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

Intercoolers do not = horsepower.. so there really isnt a gain. What it will do is let your car perform as it should for longer.. it reduces the heatsoak that the factory one will get. IMO the stock intercooler is fine for a chipped K03

[VRado6]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

I'm going to disagree with you there. The stock side mount will work for 1 or 2 full throttle runs, but after that its pretty well useless. I also found that it tends to get heatsoaked during long highway trips. As much as you wouldn't think a FMIC would actually add power, because the stock intercooler is so pathetic, you do actually gain a few hp because of the cooler intake air, especially up top where the stock turbo is blowing a lot of hot air. After I installed my intercooler, I noticed a pretty noticable difference in top end power, especially in 3rd gear or higher. As you mentioned, there is the added bonus of being able to do multiple runs without losing power. When I put mine in, I took it out for about a 30min bagging session and the intake manifold was still cold to the touch when I parked the car. Very impressive

[1.8T_WOT]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

Thanks VRado6, that's what I figured. Back to my original question then: Where's the next big gain in power with the KO3? Or am I at the upper limit already??

[Khyron]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

I have not read about any side mount (including dual) that offered any real improvement.

Khyron

[1.8T_WOT]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

I have not read about any side mount (including dual) that offered any real improvement.

Khyron

I'm a little bit surprised by this feedback . It's contradictory to what I've read on Vortex.

[Khyron]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

Shrug - I read all about the Forge side mount, and the dual side mounts and the air temp differences were negligable. That was a few months ago, but mostly in the 1.8T forum on vortex as well. The concensus was that if you're going to spend the money, get a front and be done with it.

Khyron

[Duby T]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

Shrug - I read all about the Forge side mount, and the dual side mounts and the air temp differences were negligable. That was a few months ago, but mostly in the 1.8T forum on vortex as well. The concensus was that if you're going to spend the money, get a front and be done with it.

Khyron

Tyrol Sport owners would disagree with you big time. Like I said before, side mount intercoolers (especially tyrol) have proven to be just as good as most intercoolers on the market. As for your vortex concensus, I think you might be a little confused. The 1.8T forum has openly bashed dual intercooler kits such as the rs4 kit that is offered for the 1.8t, not all side mounts. The dual intercooler kit is very expensive, and at the end of the day, your still running stock intercoolers. The cooling gains are not much better compared to other aftermarket intercoolers in the same price range. Also, keep in mind that not all front mount intercoolers are approved of either. The nuespeed kit has been heavily criticized for its design.

[Khyron]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

Yah but that's my point. I don't care if Joe Blow doesn't like it, an intercooler is pretty straightforward to measure its effect. And the surface area of a FM is huge compared to a side, no matter how thick you make it. But like I said, I haven't really read about it for several months so perhaps things have changed.

But in the case of the Forge SMI, it was found to be almost equal to stock in the air temp tests done that I saw. I will take a peek at the Tyrol, but for ICs surface area rules barring stupid pipe design. I think Forge just released another front mount that is 8 degrees cooler than the last one.

Khyron

[turbomeyers]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

I NOTICED A BIG GAIN WITH MY kenetic fm and my buddy is running the stock k03 and a neuspeed and he has noticed a big difference , besides the the cooler itself the piping is a huge improvement ,,, stock pipes are crap

[1.8T_WOT]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

I realize that an IC doesn't actually give you any gains in hp, but that's just semantics. It allows you to keep the hp that you've got, and that's a gain in my book. Regardless of what anyone else says, I feel quite strongly that the stock SMIC is inadequate for a moded 1.8T (ECU upgrade, DP and exhaust) and presents a very real restriction on performance under at least some (likely most) driving conditions. An upgraded IC will provide very real and noticeable “gains” in power.

The real question is FMIC vs. SMIC. Can a SMIC compete with a FMIC? I agree with you in that a SMIC is inherently at a disadvantage to a FMIC in design. However, to say that a FMIC is more effective than a SMIC is an over-generalization. Surface area is important, but so are the internal design of the exchanger and the materials used. A SMIC with an aluminum, finned tube design can be at least as efficient as a non-finned, carbon alloy FMIC. The main constraint with a SMIC is the poor airflow for heat exchange.

Anyway, blah blah blah... I was just reading a thread on Vortex that piqued my interest and was looking for some good local feedback (which I find to be generally more reliable). I was specifically interested in Boost Factory's SMIC vs. TyrolSport's SMIC. Personnaly, I feel that a good SMIC should be sufficient for a chipped KO3, and that Tyrolsport makes one the best ones out there. Again, just looking for some feedback.

[search161]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

Why don't you want a front mounted IC?

[Duby T]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

Why don't you want a front mounted IC?

In my opinion, most front mounts on the market look like poo on GTI's. The only front mount I find attractive is the neuspeed piece. However, the nuespeed piece is not the greatest in regards to performance.

I like my dub to be clean and subtle. As a result, a side mount is a very good option for someone like myself. Not everyone wants a huge FMIC.

[Flanders]

Re: Next big gain on a 1.8T??

Turbo Inlet Pipe!

I don't care what people say, my Forge pipe made a noticable difference in the top end. It smoothed out my WOT surging too!