Best intercooler for a gti

[GTI_Owner]

In our experience with tuning almost every combination of hardware out there, the Do88 intercooler is one of the top performers that we come across.

Of course, some 1 off custom FMIC setups may perform better, but in the realm of stock location intercoolers, Do88 really knocks it out of the park. And as others mentioned, the benefit vs. cost is really well stacked in their favor.

The IE V1 intercooler was great if you ran an upgraded main radiator as it was slightly thinner than their V2 and some other intercoolers on the market, but V2 was definitely a significant improvement in the cooling department. Without back-to-back test data on the same vehicle under similar conditions, it's hard to make an accurate comparison against the Do88.

That said, Do88 is still our preference in the grand scheme of things having seen many different hardware setups.

Please see my reply above.

I see that you have edited your claim.

 

[crxgator]

Is the stock location Magic still the best bang for the buck?

 

[StorableComa]

Is the stock location Magic still the best bang for the buck?

Direct fit, yeah. It's one of the biggest and still can be had for around 500 shipped. They have newer tube and fin models though, so double check you're getting the style you want.

I also think they have a newer design that's thinner.. maybe that's the tube and fin style though. The thread kinda died out awhile ago.

 

[ER9240]

Anyone have experience or knowledge on the Bar-Tek intercooler for this platform? I bought my car used and I’m fairly certain that is the intercooler I have. There are zero markings on it that I can see except some stamped numbers on the bottom:

 

[James At EQT]

I see that you have edited your claim.

I sure did. I didn't want to appear or be misleading in any way. It was poor word choice and I corrected it.

 

[MonkeyMD]

The best intercooler is any aftermarket intercooler. Just get one and put it on right away.

Don't be like @GTIfan99 and put it in your living room. It doesn't work too well installed that way.

 

[GTIfan99]

The best intercooler is any aftermarket intercooler. Just get one and put it on right away.

Don't be like @GTIfan99 and put it in your living room. It doesn't work too well installed that way.

You lie, it's in my office.

 

[Desslok]

The best intercooler is any aftermarket intercooler. Just get one and put it on right away.

Don't be like @GTIfan99 and put it in your living room. It doesn't work too well installed that way.

Yeah, but his living room never gets more than 10 degrees above room temperature, since it was installed there.

 

[MonkeyMD]

You lie, it's in my office. View attachment 249709

Damn. And it's a Mishimoto. Come on, you gotta join the admittedly small gang

 

[MonkeyMD]

Yeah, but his living room never gets more than 10 degrees above room temperature, since it was installed there.

I'm going to put a front mount in front of my ac unit

 

[Daks]

I love that intercooler. Fabulous piece.

 

[GTIfan99]

I love that intercooler. Fabulous piece.

It looks fabulous.

 

[Chogokin]

Direct fit, yeah. It's one of the biggest and still can be had for around 500 shipped. They have newer tube and fin models though, so double check you're getting the style you want.

I also think they have a newer design that's thinner.. maybe that's the tube and fin style though. The thread kinda died out awhile ago.

I read somewhere that the tube and fin is supposed to dissipate heat better than the bar and plate...but companies use the bar and plate because its more durable and can take hits better on FMIC's. If there is any truth to that...then maybe a tube a fin would be better for a stock location IC since its behind the AC condenser and isn't subject to rocks like an FMIC would be?

 

[Daks]

It looks fabulous.

Performs very well too. When I was logging for my tune Temps kept dropping well into 4th.

 

[StorableComa]

I read somewhere that the tube and fin is supposed to dissipate heat better than the bar and plate...but companies use the bar and plate because its more durable and can take hits better on FMIC's. If there is any truth to that...then maybe a tube a fin would be better for a stock location IC since its behind the AC condenser and isn't subject to rocks like an FMIC would be?

Possible. I was always told tube and fin for fluid, bar and plate for gas/air. This could be very outdated information based on current tech.