S3 Intercooler vs Forge Intercooler

[gazbutmk5gti]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

think that answers your question

         ED30 MLT

[RedRobin]

....

Just looking at the purchase price of the S3 i/c and Forge i/c doesn't give you the true cost. So far I've had a quote of about £630 including vat for the S3 i/c.

[ED30_MLT]

hi

I think the good choice will be the S3, I have seen APR insturction, they remove the complete front panel and headlamps to do it, I dont wish to mess with it.

Removing the bumper is no problem, Can you remove the intercooler without removing the front panel

Thanks

[RedRobin]

Whats the problem with taking off the front "panel"?

You need the bumper off to do both, and the only other thing you need to take off for the S3 core is the slam panel and dis-assemble the A/C from the cooler itself.

The good thing about the S3 core is that it has OEM appearance, and it wont restrict air to the A/C core or the OEM Cooler, and it does give 20% decrease in inlet temp over the OEM core.

Also, you could have an S3 core and a cat back exhaust for the price of a Forge unit.

I have an S3 core, and it upped boost upon spool and saw 20% drop in inlet temps overall.

....^That's the kind of info we need!

[djhorace]

hi

I think the good choice will be the S3, I have seen APR insturction, they remove the complete front panel and headlamps to do it, I dont wish to mess with it.

Removing the bumper is no problem, Can you remove the intercooler without removing the front panel

Thanks

Nope. You do need to remove the headlights to take the slam panel off though, and there is a crash beam behind it too actually, but it is all just nuts and bolts.

As memory serves from the 2 I have done

Remove bumper - disconnect fog light wiring and piping to headlight washers.
Remove Slam Panel and headlights
Remove crash beam
Remove screws from core assemblies and support A/C core
Disconnect core piping
Remove OEM core

And put it all back with S3 core.

Once you have done one, they are easy.

Be sure to order screws to fit the S3 core as the plastic screws used on the GTi core are plastic as the core ends on the GTi core is plastic, and the thread is different. Also be sure to order S3 pipes as the connections to the cores are different.

[ED30_MLT]

but the panel has to be removed right ??

I have seen APR instructions, they completly remove it, I am afriad of alignment issues when installing back

[Hurdy]

I have the Forge Twintercooler and am very happy with the way it is working.

Yes the S3 unit looks OEM, but Forge back their product with gain figures over the stock system. See below.

http://www.forgemotorsport.co.uk/content.asp?inc=product&cat=0013&product=FMINTMK5

I have no doubt that the S3 gives gains too, so maybe do both

[djhorace]

but the panel has to be removed right ??

I have seen APR instructions, they completly remove it, I am afriad of alignment issues when installing back

Being honest the lights were fiddly, but they can be adjusted fairly easily. Takes patience and a second pair of hands though.

[k4ith]

....

Just looking at the purchase price of the S3 i/c and Forge i/c doesn't give you the true cost. So far I've had a quote of about £630 including vat for the S3 i/c.

You need to show about a bit more Robin.
S3 intercooler - £280 ish incl vat, fitted at same times as Dbilas £132.  nice

[revo carl]

data logged a S3 today with TBE, intake & DV settings boost 9 timing 6 afr 9

car had just driven 100miles hard and should have been heat soaked......intake temps maxxed at 30.....says it all for a £300 intercooler!!!!