What intercooler?

[JamesT]

Is a stock mk3 TDi intercooler enough charge cooling for 1.9IDI running 20psi?
The engine is a stock AAZ with a home-brew boost controller, more fueling, straight-piped exhaust, stock ip & injectors.
I have an opportunity to get a TDi driver's side-mount for $30, but it has no plumbing. Would I be better off getting a cooler with more surface area, since I'm going to be custom making the plumbing anyways, or is the TDi core enough if I throw a strap around it to stop it popping it's caps?
Any help, suggestions, and pics appreciated.

[8v-of-fury]

Its enough for a 1.9 TDI running the same boost .

ITs got odd fittings on it though, I would further inspect it if you wish to purchase.

[JamesT]

The front mount I was looking to buy was used, and had 3" openings, and cost 4 times as much. I know the intercooler is enough for a TDi running the same boost, but would this be a case of "some is good, more is better" or would it just be a wasted volume I need to pressurize?

[R.O.R-2.0]

you can use a starion intercooler just fine.. there all aluminum too.

[JamesT]

you can use a starion intercooler just fine.. there all aluminum too.

Except for the fact that I've never even seen a starion in a wrecker before, and TDI mk3 parts aren't that hard to find these days.

[R.O.R-2.0]

you can use a starion intercooler just fine.. there all aluminum too.

Except for the fact that I've never even seen a starion in a wrecker before, and TDI mk3 parts aren't that hard to find these days.

look on ebay/craigslist..

ive never seen one in a wrecking yard either.. most you find, are from private owners, parting out wrecked or rusted cars..

[tdotdub]

im thinking on a sprinter one as a yard local to me has one. how the hell do you guys fit that? its huge???

the turbo saab ones look good as well, but would that fit in the front or do i have to loose the a/c condensor?

[R.O.R-2.0]

yea, you pretty much gotta lose the a/c..

the sprinter cooler is HUGE.. never noticed it. thats like, wider than a Volvo 740 cooler..

looks like its short enough to be made to fit, but DAMN, its hella wide..

honestly, i would start looking for a starion intercooler.. they have the inlet and outlet on the same side, and they fit nice.. even in a cramped mk2..

[JamesT]

It looks perfect. It would fit right in front of the radiator in a MK3, and cradle it on both sides. If my TDi cooler falls through, I think that's what I'm going to be looking for. The sterion cooler looks huge, and I do like the all aluminum construction, but people seem to want ridiculous amounts of money for those around here.

[theman53]

I am running a cheap, probably china, intercooler that was supposed to measure 28x7x2.5 with 2.5 inlet/outlet. It works for me. If I were to do it again I would use the 28x5.5x2.5 that you can find on ebay. I may run a/c next go around, but I will have to move the rad back as far as the intercooler is deep. I cut most all of my core support out to get the I/C to fit.

IIRC I had right around 200.00 for couplers, piping, T bolt clamps, and the intercooler.

[Rising]

How about the 1.8t passat intercoolers? Do those work well? I'm trying to pick something up cheap to build my turbo setup with starting out intercooled to get rid of egts, and i found a couple on ebay for like 30$. Worth it?

[R.O.R-2.0]

How about the 1.8t passat intercoolers? Do those work well? I'm trying to pick something up cheap to build my turbo setup with starting out intercooled to get rid of egts, and i found a couple on ebay for like 30$. Worth it?

now that your searching Ebay, look for a starion intercooler.. they fit VERY nice in a mk2/3, and even nicer in a mk1..

your not planning on running a/c are you?

ford probe intercoolers also work nice.

as well as toyota MR2 intercoolers.

mazda MILLENNIA intercoolers are TINY you can fit them literally anywhere..

saab blackstone intercoolers supposedly work nice too.

[Rising]

Hmm.. Couldn't find any starion intercoolers... I saw pics online though and they seem like they would work VERY well.

Don't have a/c and I doubt i'll ever consider adding it.

What about cheap ebay intercoolers like cxracing etc. Anyone have any luck with those? I'm torn between buying an old an busted OEM cooler or a new cheapy. I'm going to head to my local pick a part and do some snooping soon. Pretty much just pull the hood up on any volvo, mitsu, saab, or vw

[R.O.R-2.0]

Hmm.. Couldn't find any starion intercoolers... I saw pics online though and they seem like they would work VERY well.

Don't have a/c and I doubt i'll ever consider adding it.

What about cheap ebay intercoolers like cxracing etc. Anyone have any luck with those? I'm torn between buying an old an busted OEM cooler or a new cheapy. I'm going to head to my local pick a part and do some snooping soon. Pretty much just pull the hood up on any volvo, mitsu, saab, or vw

you wont find any useable cores in a volvo.. they are all WAY TOO BIG for a VW.

mazda, ford, mitsu, isuzu, toyota..

VW/Audi, basically anything euro came with a turbo option..

you REALLY cant find Star/quest intercoolers? they LITTER this side of the country.. i usually pick them up for ~$50

ford probe/maxda mx6 intercoolers are compact, and have the in/out both on the same side.. they work nice.. i just picked one up for $10 not too long back..

[Thezorn]

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/28-Front-Mount-Intercooler-2-Aluminum-Piping-Kit-/250828538746?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a668bc37a

Buy this, if your willing to spend around 200. Will be more then good enough for you. I have basically the same kit. They come with garbage Tbolt clamps so they need to be replaced with decent ones. But with a tubing cutter and a couple sockets youll have a full kit that will work awsome. There is a bit of fabrication needed to make the bumper core it over it, a small amount of cutting. Then a simple mounting bracket. I just used a bit of 1/8 X 2" flat stock and welded it to the front cross member.
Works like a charm, and will hold boost all day. I havent noticed any sign of boost loss at all since I have gotten it.