[Bubba]

Isn't the intercooler quite a lot of money?

280ft lbs is more than an Impreza STi you know - you sure you really need more on a front wheel drive car?

Too much power and you're just going to be fighting wheelspin/torque steer all the time....

[AndiT]

 

Mine is just under 180bhp and front wheel drive. The V6 lump is heavy and helps keep it down, but I still wouldn't want much more from just the two wheels which is why I'm considering getting a Legacyinstead, despite loving my car! The torque steer is quite hefty in mine, so I imagine in a diesel it's gonna be even worse.

Still, it's good to take things to the limit, I'm sure Mike Reardon drives something like a front wheel drive tuned Skyline!

[unclesomebody]

Intercoolers are normally about £500-600 but I've found a company who manufacture them for about £100 each. They don't come with pipes and only come in generic sizes but are spot on in terms of quality. It's just a matter of sourcing pipes (which I've been finding out about) and fitting it yourself which is actually something I'm not massively keen on undertaking because I'm an amateur. Perhaps I'll have to coax someone who knows about cars (AndiT, dobbin, Bubba) into giving me a hand! 

I don't particularly want much more power, because even when it's slightly wet now I'm wheelspinning in 3rd gear. That's not too fun. Some better tyres should help a little but once again, at some serious cost.

[dobbin]

I wonder about the clutch upgrade too, generally to upgrade means to get bigger, for which the limiting factor will be the size of the bell housing. To replace the bellhousing will mean new transmission! I'm probably out of date with this info though.

I once looked into 4 pot calipers on a mk2 golf GTI. There was no need to be honest. I have fitted an oil cooler to a 205 GTI once, but never an additional intercooler. Where will it feed from? will you have to move things around the grille to get the air to it, or will you be installing somewhere theres a massive airduct? (get a roof scoop!)

[Bubba]

Yeah, if you're wheelspinning in 3rd then spend the money on tyres/shocks/brakes instead - there's only so much power/torque you're going to be able to use.

[unclesomebody]

Dobbin, see this;



Basically, the front pipe from the intercooler to turbo needs replacing with an intercooler. It mounts behind the bumper and sit quite low. Fancy giving it a go??? 

Bubba; You're right. i've been looking into uprated suspension, tyres, and brakes. It's all £££ but I think suspension will be next.

[AndiT]

Dude, you need to get yourself on a specialist forum and you'll get shed loads of advice and probably some good deals too. I got a set of 17's with almost brand new tyres for mine for £150 the other week and have also sourced loads of other info and kit. There's some real useful stuff out there.

I couldn't see your pic you posted as I'm at school (no pics allowed!), but I'm presuming you'll remove your present intercooler. Piping can be a right rip off, so keep a look out, you should get some for a few quid really. It shouldn't be  a big job provided you have the space to mount it.

[unclesomebody]

I'm all over the specialist forums as we speak. Got loads of info. However, when it all goes wrong I'll be calling you up andi! It is possible to leave the stock intercooler on aswell, but I'm not too sure on the pro's and con's of doing this.

Thanks for the advice. I'm looking for some 18's for mine (although I want to buy them at the same time as suspension otherwise it will look daft!).

[AndiT]

Again, beware.. The bigger you go, the more chance of getting warped wheels. I wouldn't go as far as 18's, but they do look cool.

[unclesomebody]

Thanks for the warning. But there are loads of people running 18's on Passat's, A4's, and even Octavia's so I think it should be alright. We'll see though. I'm not going to do it anytime soon because it's going to be an expensive upgrade.

[AndiT]

It'll defo be ok, but it's just something else to think about...

[Bubba]

I ran 18's on my Golf on pattern Audi A8 wheels - looked nice, but 18s will give you a much harsher ride. Don't lower too much or go for suspension that's too hard, it's just a pain in the arse in the end and on bumpy roads you'll end up having to go slower.

Recommend Goodyear Eagles for tyres - not too spenny and good wet/dry grip.

[Jim]

personally I'm sticking with 17" for comfort. 18" and 19" do look cool tho.
next I thinking I'm gonna get the rs4 uprated anti roll bars on mine, I think you need to do the same uncle if they are available for your car. they made a big difference on the lexus and maybe a strut brace as well.
big brake upgrade would be nice as well but I'm gonna need 18" wheels and a job that pays double my current salary  
where you looking at for the intercoolers btw unc?
can't wait to get a remap

2nd the goodyear eagle as well, I used the F1 GSD3's on the lexus and they were quality.