What intercooler for GTI?

[LunchboxVRS]

Whats wrong with the stock cooling system? Im sure it's up to the task of a tuned up street driven car with the odd track day thrown in. If the car is destined for heavy track use then i could understand an upgraded thicker radiator with more capacity. And how does the HP cooler have less obstruction to the radiator than any other brand of intercooler?

Another option:

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Looks exactly like the stock one.

[RoknRob]

Gavs, you have a tune, the HP intercooler - would any of this have affected the treatment you received from VW when your mechatronics failed?

Would you have any advice regarding WHEN to start modding your car in this fashion, given your invaluable hindsight?

In other words, if you could go back, would you do it again when you did, or wait until the car was out of warranty?

[Lucas_R]

On a Polo the intercooler sits in front of the other components - creating a pressure drop here will limit airflow to these compnents and running the risk of cooking an engine & Air conditioning that will struggle to function with the increased temperatures.

Poor core & end tank design will give you an intercooler that's WORSE than stock - as was the case with Forge's intercooler for the Polo 9N - it was worse than factory, and the turbo struggled to make the specified boost. The turbo struggles - creates more heat, increased the intake temperatures. Flush your money down the toilet!

I have not analysed any other aftermarket intercoolers for 6R Polo's, but I certainly know how ours works!

I just looked up the Forge and Seat Sport intercoolers for the 9N Polo GTI model. The Forge unit looks hideous. Im not surprised that the much nicer looking cast end tanked unit from Seat works better. I would have bought the Seat intercooler purely based on the fact that it was OEM and that it looked much better than the Forge. OEM parts are usually quite good, so use them if you can. Its a big sucker for an OEM unit too.

I understand that the intercooler blocks off a certain amount air reaching the radiator and A/C conderser, but the HP unit isnt going to really be much/any different to another brand in this respect. Regardless of brand, there is still something obstructing the airflow to the radiator. Obviously the height and thickness of the core will have some effect, but there will be restriction none the less.

Gavs and Guy are right. Not all intercoolers are the same.

I know it's not the new Polo but here is dyno proof from mine. Red line is Forge, Blue line is Seat Sport absolutely no other changes.

As mentioned above, im not surprised that the OEM Seat intercooler does a better job than the Forge unit. The Forge unit looks horrible. OEM for the win if you can.

Looks exactly like the stock one.

The first two photos show the stock I/C, then the next 3 or 4 pics show the aftermarket one being installed. All i did was a quick Google search.

[gavs]

Gavs, you have a tune, the HP intercooler - would any of this have affected the treatment you received from VW when your mechatronics failed?

Would you have any advice regarding WHEN to start modding your car in this fashion, given your invaluable hindsight?

In other words, if you could go back, would you do it again when you did, or wait until the car was out of warranty?

No, because they know, I know, Simon ant Viezu and Guy at HP all know that what caused my failure was nothing to do with the tune. The issue is that the customer relations rep covering service complaints is a stalling ba*tard (he knows who he is, soon many people will too) and they know that I can prove that they are screwing me. Instead of trying to fix the situation though, they try and hide thinking I will go away.

Wrong.

[Guy_H]

I understand that the intercooler blocks off a certain amount air reaching the radiator and A/C conderser, but the HP unit isnt going to really be much/any different to another brand in this respect. Regardless of brand, there is still something obstructing the airflow to the radiator. Obviously the height and thickness of the core will have some effect, but there will be restriction none the less.

What is not shown is how the "cooling" air has to pass through the intercooler (this is the air coming from the front of the car through the grill - not to be confused with the intake charge) - it's called pressure drop and how the air flows through to the other components. The core choice has to take that into consideration & it's often missed when using "generic" or "Ebay" cores that simply, restrict airflow through. You can measure this on a flow bench - it costs time & money to do that. bar & plate & Tube / fin type intercoolers vary with a heap of factors.

[Guy_H]

As with Gav's info above, no engine modification we have ever seen has caused a gearbox issue, especially a mechatronics.

If you have a warranty problem (or are concerned about it) - there is some information here:

A guide to consumers about modifying a vehicle & their rights

Volkswagen / Volkswagen Dealers have come unstuck a few times now by attempting to "bully" a consumer by using modifications as a reason for denying warranty without even checking a vehicle. There is an interesting case coming up in the VIC courts shortly on a similar issue, and independent mechanical engineers have been engaged to investigate. Very interesting & not favorable to VW & their tactics (Polo GTI too).

[RoknRob]

As with Gav's info above, no engine modification we have ever seen has caused a gearbox issue, especially a mechatronics.

If you have a warranty problem (or are concerned about it) - there is some information here:

A guide to consumers about modifying a vehicle & their rights

Volkswagen / Volkswagen Dealers have come unstuck a few times now by attempting to "bully" a consumer by using modifications as a reason for denying warranty without even checking a vehicle. There is an interesting case coming up in the VIC courts shortly on a similar issue, and independent mechanical engineers have been engaged to investigate. Very interesting & not favorable to VW & their tactics (Polo GTI too).

Just to be clear, I am in no way implying that the mods would at all be related - clearly it is impossible.

BUT VW can certainly CLAIM it did.

So now gavs is in the unfortunate position of having to fight to recuperate the money (I assume) he spent on having the unit fixed. This takes time and money, as well. And this is despite gavs not even having oil consumption issues...

I am incredibly pleased to hear that he feels the mods are THAT GOOD that they are worth the extra hassle he is going through, regardless!

[RoknRob]

BTW, I am eagerly awaiting to hear more about that case before the VIC courts! Please keep us posted!

[bnescooter]

I have the APR intercooler and it's worth the $$ because it is custom made to actually fit the car. I've also got the air intake. Haven't regretted any of the purchases.

I also have some issues with the DSG. It's been a bit clunky since day one but now it occasionaly lags a little on initial acceleration and then kicks in. There is some remap of the DSG setup which I haven't had done yet. Anyone care to speculate what could be going on?

[gavs]

Mechatronics being lazy.