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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: Jayz on 07 March 2011, 23:21

Title: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Jayz on 07 March 2011, 23:21
Hey guys, Im after a FMIC for my golf gti 1.8T dont really fancy paying out £600 odd for a forge fmic, has anyone brought and fitted the ebay ones? any problems/ issues? and are there any twin pass intercoolers cant really find any about.

Cheers
J
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: bobbarley on 07 March 2011, 23:24
Few people have fitted them and have been happy with the results.  Main problems seem to be the actual fitting, the eBay specials rarely fit without having to "modify" the front of the car for them to fit snugly.
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: vwfiend on 07 March 2011, 23:25
Forge ones are definitely worth it, so subtle and a much shorter path so less chances of boost leaks and next to no lag! My one fitted.....

(http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac194/vwfiend86/86f38fbf.jpg)
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Jayz on 07 March 2011, 23:38
I haven't heard people having any faults with the ebay ones yet and the forge ones do fit really good. My mate was saying something about THS doing a twin pass one?
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: vwfiend on 07 March 2011, 23:39
Their just an over engineered wannabe Forge that isnt direct fitment.................
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Jayz on 07 March 2011, 23:48
hmmmm i guess you get what you pay for.
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: vwfiend on 08 March 2011, 00:27
Unless you buy off certain people on the classifieds.............  :laugh:
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: LazyLunatic on 08 March 2011, 10:00
I run an ebay special and they are poop. They don't cool the air that well, I get a power drop of like 10-15bhp due to heat soak :(
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: rockmonkey69 on 08 March 2011, 12:33
I agree with you get what you pay for when it comes to such things, although I've seen plenty of happy people with ebay specials I'm pretty sure I can get these ebay specials to heatsoak on the track in no time at all. I would also be worried with pressure drop and the efficiency of the core given their small size I would expect literally no lag but that's not the case from reading a few reviews on uk-mkiv and vwvortex, so it's a bit worrying. They also won't be efficient enough for those pushing deep into 300 bhp.

When I purchased my eurojet front mount intercooler - the street core so it wouldn't be too massive and laggy I was surprised when it arrived. It was absolutely massive at 2" thick 10" tall and 31" wide. Fitted it's pretty much level with my headlights/grills and reaches all the way down to the splitter. But have to say I was pleasantly surprised when I drove it, I didn't notice any lag.

Another point, given the small size of the ebay intercoolers I would have thought fitment wouldn't be a problem, I mean my eurojet core is absolutely massive compared to them ebay cores and I've managed to fit it behind a standard 1.6 bumper with minor trimming only on the middle grill not anywhere else. Seems the ebay cores are as awfully designed as people claim.

We all love a bit of whoring  :grin:
(http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab111/rockmonkey69/198260_10150154312026287_564271286_8738618_2637641_n.jpg?t=1299587989)
(http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab111/rockmonkey69/189239_10150154312436287_564271286_8738623_1008183_n.jpg?t=1299588017)
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: ashie_b1986 on 08 March 2011, 12:43
that looks sxy lol
how do you get your engine polished like that?
i take it that its not just polished with something like autosol
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: rockmonkey69 on 08 March 2011, 12:52
It's just sanded down by hand so not a good finish because I rushed it, it's absolute poo poo compared to what I've got waiting to go on when I fit my forged rods and rebuild the motor, here's a little teaser  :evil:
(http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab111/rockmonkey69/dsc_0011.jpg?t=1299589067)

Also got a modified AGN valve cover and fuel rail that I'm going to have professionally polished up too
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: ashie_b1986 on 08 March 2011, 12:54
lol, i bet you carnt wait
i think i mite start sanding mine sometime
did you sand with wet and dry but dry? with some fine paper? or did you use a machine?
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: daz veedub on 08 March 2011, 13:28
ive been doing mine hardwork but getting there will put more pics when finished  :cool:
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: rockmonkey69 on 08 March 2011, 13:32
Just done it dry to begin with (use a respirator it's seriously dusty and really bad for your lungs!) when I got up to about 600-800 grit I started wet sanding, try to change wipe off all the dust/dirt between each time you change grades and be patient working on that one grade to remove any pitting or casting marks/uneven surfaces with that grade before going finer otherwise it'll stick out like a sore thumb once you've got to the higher grades. Take it to about 1500 grit and you should have a really smooth but dull finish without any pitting, then if you want a mirror like finish then the only way is with a some sort of buffing machine with polishing compounds and not autosol, if however you just want a clean look like how my engine is now then autosol polishing will do fine.
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Hulmie on 08 March 2011, 14:00
to save time on the 10 ive done before, removed the rought surface using a 120 grit flap wheel and then machine polished up using 3 different grades of compound. Using a course, medium and soft polishing wheel.
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: ashie_b1986 on 08 March 2011, 14:25
nice 1  :smiley:
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Jayz on 08 March 2011, 14:42
I run an ebay special and they are poop. They don't cool the air that well, I get a power drop of like 10-15bhp due to heat soak :(

DAMN!

I agree with you get what you pay for when it comes to such things, although I've seen plenty of happy people with ebay specials I'm pretty sure I can get these ebay specials to heatsoak on the track in no time at all. I would also be worried with pressure drop and the efficiency of the core given their small size I would expect literally no lag but that's not the case from reading a few reviews on uk-mkiv and vwvortex, so it's a bit worrying. They also won't be efficient enough for those pushing deep into 300 bhp.

When I purchased my eurojet front mount intercooler - the street core so it wouldn't be too massive and laggy I was surprised when it arrived. It was absolutely massive at 2" thick 10" tall and 31" wide. Fitted it's pretty much level with my headlights/grills and reaches all the way down to the splitter. But have to say I was pleasantly surprised when I drove it, I didn't notice any lag.

Another point, given the small size of the ebay intercoolers I would have thought fitment wouldn't be a problem, I mean my eurojet core is absolutely massive compared to them ebay cores and I've managed to fit it behind a standard 1.6 bumper with minor trimming only on the middle grill not anywhere else. Seems the ebay cores are as awfully designed as people claim.

We all love a bit of whoring  :grin:
(http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab111/rockmonkey69/198260_10150154312026287_564271286_8738618_2637641_n.jpg?t=1299587989)
(http://i855.photobucket.com/albums/ab111/rockmonkey69/189239_10150154312436287_564271286_8738623_1008183_n.jpg?t=1299588017)

Looks like a perfect fit! Loving the polished bits aswell nice work :wink:
so the only proper intercoolers for the 1.8t are forge and eurojet or are there others?
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: rockmonkey69 on 08 March 2011, 14:49
Well the eurojet isn't a bad fit but it is a very big core, I've seen people run a gt3071r on them thats just shy of 500bhp, so they still need trimming a little if you got a standard bumper, behind an r32 bumper I doubt anything needs to be done at all.
PS. What site do you purchased your polishing compounds and polishing wheels from? Most of them tend to be in the states  :undecided:
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Wazzzer on 08 March 2011, 17:04
THS look very good, I know Nick runs one in the R-Tech project 1.8T so maybe have a word with him to see how he thinks it performs :wink:
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: rockmonkey69 on 08 March 2011, 17:31
I also agree, the THS twin pass one is quite an efficient core for a twin pass and it fits very well I don't recall the THS needing trimming on the standard bumper.
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Wazzzer on 08 March 2011, 17:33
it does need a bit of work to get it fitted but for the cost difference between it and the Forge I know what I'll be buying  :smiley:
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: tech1889 on 08 March 2011, 23:36
THS requires minor trimming but is better than forge one IMO.. Forge is overrated sh!t no engineering just easy to fit.. The THS one actually has engineering behind it and would be my choice and was on the cards for my 1.8t
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Jayz on 09 March 2011, 08:13
THS requires minor trimming but is better than forge one IMO.. Forge is overrated sh!t no engineering just easy to fit.. The THS one actually has engineering behind it and would be my choice and was on the cards for my 1.8t

Where can you get them now on ths website they sold out.
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Wazzzer on 09 March 2011, 14:18
Basically the same as the eBay intercoolers for fitment buddy
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Wazzzer on 09 March 2011, 15:37
You do get the PCR pipe with it though
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: houston on 09 March 2011, 17:07
what about summit like

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FRONT-MOUNT-UNIVERSAL-INTERCOOLER-300ZX-200SX-SKYLINE-/350355802646?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5192d54a16

more efficent, less pipework, might be onto a winner?

any benefit to running this as well as the side mount?
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Toby on 09 March 2011, 18:34
yeah then its just a case of buying the pipework to make it all fit.. that could be the expencive part?
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: houston on 09 March 2011, 18:42
not as much of a pig as other intecoolers tho, you can reuse most of the oe pipework, just need a bit pipe to go from old ic inlet to new ic, then a pipe from new ic to tb.
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: rockmonkey69 on 09 March 2011, 19:27
I'm not sure how well the ebay toyosport cools charge temperature but after my usual 90 mile commute to get home, I sat idling as I rung my brother to go fetch the laptop (Our laptop's batteries are beyond doomed and have to be plugged in permenantly) and logging intake temperature shows it to be in the single figures (celsius) - the ambient temperature was 5 degrees celsius and Im pushing quite a solid 230-240bhp on every dyno I've been on, whereas I found the standard side mount was struggling when I was running stage 1 at 220+ so I can say the eurojet front mount gets the thumbs up from me.
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: houston on 09 March 2011, 20:11
houston, be the guinea pig and tell us if it works :D

i had one on my old 306, wasnt that exact one but it was very similar. handled 24 psi all day long, just a shame the clutch didnt :laugh:
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: rockmonkey69 on 09 March 2011, 20:31
If you'll pay the labour cost to have someone fit forged rods on my 1.8t  :tongue:
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: rockmonkey69 on 09 March 2011, 21:31
umm... yea sure, why not lol they also connect to the turbo through the block so technically you'd need to pay for that too  :tongue:
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Jayz on 09 March 2011, 21:48
what about summit like

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FRONT-MOUNT-UNIVERSAL-INTERCOOLER-300ZX-200SX-SKYLINE-/350355802646?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5192d54a16

more efficent, less pipework, might be onto a winner?

any benefit to running this as well as the side mount?
I think that might fit along as you get the pipework right
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Jayz on 09 March 2011, 21:55
i'd deffiantely do that route if it fits well and can be done under £200, just want to see it done first lol
As Houston said and my cousin said to me yesterday your already gonna be using most of the oe pipework you only need a couple of bents.
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: tech1889 on 09 March 2011, 22:55
mapping is the best mod get it done !! then just update map with new mods.. its how i do it  :smiley:
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Jayz on 10 March 2011, 16:21
Yea but need a k03s before i map, and i seem to be buying everything but a k03s  :rolleyes:

talk about spamming a thread up, my bad  :embarassed:
lol no worries mate just make sure you buy and put on everything before the remap :wink:
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Grand Master Patch on 10 March 2011, 18:52
I run an ABD Racing front mount,does it's job well but not cheap with the ceramic coated pipes etc......
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Jayz on 14 March 2011, 11:56
If anyone is interested in this intercooler

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FRONT-MOUNT-UNIVERSAL-INTERCOOLER-300ZX-200SX-SKYLINE-/350355802646?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5192d54a16#ht_1948wt_932

i've just found out that the dimensions on this one above is 600mm x 300mm x 76mm and the forge ones are 580mm 250mm 60mm not a massive difference in size and it should fit with minor work, i'm willing to give it a try.
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: houston on 14 March 2011, 12:06
If anyone is interested in this intercooler

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FRONT-MOUNT-UNIVERSAL-INTERCOOLER-300ZX-200SX-SKYLINE-/350355802646?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5192d54a16#ht_1948wt_932

i've just found out that the dimensions on this one above is 600mm x 300mm x 76mm and the forge ones are 580mm 250mm 60mm not a massive difference in size and it should fit with minor work, i'm willing to give it a try.


what you mean just found out? it says the dimensions in the description, lol
Title: Re: Front mount intercoolers
Post by: Jayz on 14 March 2011, 12:39
If anyone is interested in this intercooler

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FRONT-MOUNT-UNIVERSAL-INTERCOOLER-300ZX-200SX-SKYLINE-/350355802646?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5192d54a16#ht_1948wt_932

i've just found out that the dimensions on this one above is 600mm x 300mm x 76mm and the forge ones are 580mm 250mm 60mm not a massive difference in size and it should fit with minor work, i'm willing to give it a try.


what you mean just found out? it says the dimensions in the description, lol

lol sorry mate i meant it about the forge fmic as they dont show dimensions for it anywhere