Inter coolers,your views

I'm gathering parts for a 20vt conversion,I bought a very nice rad the other day that was in a g60 caddy,I already have an engine but I'm going to buy another and keep the one I have as a spare as it was bought cheap and I'm unsure of its history,what I was wondering is,I know that a lot of people buy the universal ones off ebay but I've heard of Mercedes sprinter units being used? What's the difference if any?
I'd like a fairly decent sized one not a farty little thing,anyone have anything to add?
Cheers  

Sounds like you are at a similar stage to me mate with the build. I had a small intercooler come with the engine when I bought it but wanted to go with something bigger.

JonP and I measured up and worked out we go to about 550mm x 60mm x 280mm as a maximum although that would be overkill.

I did a bit of research and considered the Pro Alloy custom route which would obviously be £££ but plumped for this in the end off Ebay.   http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230879020680?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Have gone for a MK2 GTI 16v rad with a 2 fan setup (yet to research the fans) and got the rad off Ebay for £38 new, shipped to me.

Don't know about the sprinter ones working or not but I guess it depends on your budget.

Hope this helps

Smudger

Hi mate,that looks like a very nice one indeed,will you be mounting it inside the bay or on the outside? I know the risk of having it on the outside but the way I figure is it could still be damaged from being mounted just behind the front panel,I just love the look of them being on full view!
My friend had an external mounted intercooler on his mini and it looked awesome  8)

Yeah I see the attraction with front mounted ones but I am going for the subtle OEM look so will be mounting it on the inside.

I'm sure the life of the cooler is shortened with it being mounted on the outside due to being open to stones etc etc and would have thought unless you're going for big power it wouldn't be worth it. Could be wrong though.

Really!! Well I didn't know that,hopefully someone else can help out with some advise on externally front mounted units,I'm going to be aiming for between 220-250 bhp when it's finished which is enough for me in a mk1  

Im selling my Forge one, its been modified to sit/bolt in a mk1 nicley, but you will need a slim line fan.. Looking for £100 for it




Here is what it looks like in the car.

sprinters are massive and can be a sod to route the ic pipes to and from

hi guys just wanted to know what the dimensions of the mk4 agu intecooler is?

Using that figure then shouldnt we use an intercooler which has the same volume?

I have seen loads of different ones, Sprinter, A-Class, C-Class, etc.

which is teh best to use without losing power?

c11rgd said

hi guys just wanted to know what the dimensions of the mk4 agu intecooler is?

Using that figure then shouldnt we use an intercooler which has the same volume?

I have seen loads of different ones, Sprinter, A-Class, C-Class, etc.

which is teh best to use without losing power?

small and probably the minimum size VW could get away with, where as one with a better volume, flow and surface area will cool the air better.

Climbatize,cheers for the offer but I'm a bit strapped for cash this side of Xmas  :roll:
Thanks Jon p,I'll give the sprinter a miss then,cheers for the advise mate  :wink:

hi sphmk1 i have been in to 5 turbos for years i have had 17 over the years some standard some modified and my 2p worth is mounting on the front gives a lot better smoother boost with it been on the front its really cold exactly what it should be instead of being sat on a radiator thats transfering heat to it

i also had a aquamist setup that sprayed the front mount cooler with water on 1 car that was 194bhp at wheels from a 1.4 8 valve push rod engine