Intercooler upgrade... APR? Mishimoto? What else?

[EROtero]

Ok fellow audiziners! What’s your opinion on this? Intercooler upgrade, money not an issue, which would you go with and why?

I am splitting hairs between APR and Mishimoto. Help me decide!

[zcspec]

There's Wagner, Revo, Unitronic, CTS, HPA, etc...so many to choose from. I personally run a Wagner and it did...require *some* modification for a perfect fit. If you want the BEST FIT, APR is probably the way to go. If you want the BEST FLOW, any of the "name brand" units will provide substantial flow over the OEM setup.

[MikTip]

Street driven car....Intergrated Engineering

[CronicPAIN]

Unitronic for life 20191005_101310.jpeg20191005_133532.jpegIMG-20191005-WA0010.jpegIMG-20191005-WA0022.jpeg

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[EROtero]

Forgot to mention, mostly street driven with autocross every other weekend and track 6-10 times a year.

[XLR8 Erik]

APR would be my vote for an upgraded intercooler. Super simple install with no modifications needed!

We have these in stock ready to ship asap! Shoot me a PM and I would be happy to help.

[ModdedEuros]

We run Unitronic intercoolers in numerous cars here. Both daily driven as well as autocrossed with great success. They are pretty popular and currently out of stock everywhere but should be back in stock soon


https://www.moddedeuros.com/audi/s3/...s/intercoolers

[EROtero]

After much research I have decided against the Mishimoto ic. Is it a good unit? Yes indeed. Just not enough for my application. For just an everyday car or even light modifications go for it. I have bigger plans and want to be proactive. Now between APR and Wagner.

[normcaldwell]

After much research I have decided against the Mishimoto ic. Is it a good unit? Yes indeed. Just not enough for my application. For just an everyday car or even light modifications go for it. I have bigger plans and want to be proactive. Now between APR and Wagner.

The red sled is my daily and occasional road course track car.
I'm pleased with the APR unit; have run it for 13k miles. Fitment was spot on.
I haven't run any other intercooler piece; so I can only speak about my experience with the APR product.

[EROtero]

Well... turns out the Mishimoto ic does support 500+ hp applications. It was difficult to find information from actual users since it's fairly new in the market, so I decided to call them and speak with one of their engineers directly. Without going into too much detail, empirical data discussed tells me that my previous statement was WRONG!!! This Mishi ic is as capable as the APR unit, with similar core volume and dimensions, but different fin design. I decided to give it a chance and ordered it. Will be posting my thoughts on it when I receive it. Stay tuned!

[FlyboyS4]

Most replacement ICs are sized about the same, no surprise there, and appear to perform similarly.

[Kevin quattro]

Well... turns out the Mishimoto ic does support 500+ hp applications. It was difficult to find information from actual users since it's fairly new in the market, so I decided to call them and speak with one of their engineers directly. Without going into too much detail, empirical data discussed tells me that my previous statement was WRONG!!! This Mishi ic is as capable as the APR unit, with similar core volume and dimensions, but different fin design. I decided to give it a chance and ordered it. Will be posting my thoughts on it when I receive it. Stay tuned!

What made you change your mind? I've been debating between APR and IE. I'm very familiar with both brands and they both provide data demonstrating outstanding performance. Mishimoto has been on my radar, but I really haven't seen any data. Also, any modification required to fit these?

[EROtero]

What made you change your mind? I've been debating between APR and IE. I'm very familiar with both brands and they both provide data demonstrating outstanding performance. Mishimoto has been on my radar, but I really haven't seen any data. Also, any modification required to fit these?

Discussions on empirical data (real tests) and answers to all my questions that only the engineers at Mishimoto could give. These answers showed me that proper research was done and is not just a core unit selected from the shelf at taiwanese factory showroom with end tanks slapped on it. Also I have used their products previously on my belated Supra and currently have a Mishi oil cooler installed on my A3 and the quality of craftsmanship is simply something to admire. As I said before, I will give it a try and post back my thoughts on the unit.

[Drkstorm]

I am currently running the mishimoto IC and can say that no mods were needed for it to fit, it bolts right into factory location as if it were the stock one.

[EROtero]

I am currently running the mishimoto IC and can say that no mods were needed for it to fit, it bolts right into factory location as if it were the stock one.

What are your thoughts and experiences on performance with the Mishi ic?

[Kevin quattro]

Discussions on empirical data (real tests) and answers to all my questions that only the engineers at Mishimoto could give. These answers showed me that proper research was done and is not just a core unit selected from the shelf at taiwanese factory showroom with end tanks slapped on it. Also I have used their products previously on my belated Supra and currently have a Mishi oil cooler installed on my A3 and the quality of craftsmanship is simply something to admire. As I said before, I will give it a try and post back my thoughts on the unit.

Cool thanks for sharing man. I wasn't thinking I'd go that route, but definitely considering it now. And glad to know no mods necessary. That's a huge bonus.

[FlyboyS4]

These answers showed me that proper research was done and is not just a core unit selected from the shelf at taiwanese factory showroom with end tanks slapped on it.

I have yet to see results posted from an aftermarket IC that don't show any improvement over the stock IC. Surprisingly the cheap eBay ICs perform quite well too.

[EROtero]

I have yet to see results posted from an aftermarket IC that don't show any improvement over the stock IC. Surprisingly the cheap eBay ICs perform quite well too.

You are correct! ANY aftermarket intercooler will give better results that stock. But which gives best results based on your purpose is a different story.

[FlyboyS4]

You are correct! ANY aftermarket intercooler will give better results that stock. But which gives best results based on your purpose is a different story.

Which gives best results is unknown.

[mtarr07]

You are correct! ANY aftermarket intercooler will give better results that stock. But which gives best results based on your purpose is a different story.

Which gives best results is unknown.

Theres plenty of tests if you search.

APR and Wagner tests showed the best results from what I've found. I ran APR just because I picked it up for cheaper; I think you're fine with either. I'd *personally* stay away from cheap/ knockoff ones. Size/ shape isn't everything. The core (and it's efficiency) is the most important/ expensive part.

[FlyboyS4]

Theres plenty of tests if you search.

Nothing that demonstrates which one gives the best results.

• Airtech
• AMS
• APR
• Burger
• CTS
• Forge
• HG
• IE
• Mabo
• Magic
• Mishimoto
• Revo
• Unitronic
• VWR
• Wagner

I'd like to known which of those gives the best results on a comparison test.

[Black Forest]

There is a data thread on the golfmk7 forum.


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[FlyboyS4]

There is a data thread on the golfmk7 forum.

I've gone through that. Last time I checked of the 60 pages a third had zero data, of the pages that do have data another small percentage is worth anything. Of that remaining small bit of useful data there aren't that many IC's being represented. IE and the eBay Magic IC have the largest number of useful data logs, and the data points to them performing very similarly.

[crxgator]

I guess you need to buy a bunch of intercoolers and do some testing. :)


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[R.Cade]

I data logged the stock IC vs Unitronic this summer at Road Atlanta. Both on 95F degree days with stock tune, running low 1.50's lap times.

The stock IC air intake temps would stay at +25F above ambient until it would heat soak and be at +50F or higher.

The Unitronic IC air intake temps stayed about +11F above ambient, never heat soaked.

[Drkstorm]

It does it’s job, I track the car weekly (autox or drag) and have had zero issues, AITs stay either +/- 10 degrees ambient temp, haven’t had any heat soak issues either normal DA for my area is about 3200ft+

[FlyboyS4]

I data logged the stock IC vs Unitronic this summer at Road Atlanta. Both on 95F degree days with stock tune, running low 1.50's lap times.

The stock IC air intake temps would stay at +25F above ambient until it would heat soak and be at +50F or higher.

The Unitronic IC air intake temps stayed about +11F above ambient, never heat soaked.

Can you email me the data files, both stock and Uni? I've got a Unitronic IC and I'd like to plot your data against what I have recorded with mine. email: [email protected]

[S3NICK]

Are you going to install the IC yourself?

[EROtero]

Yes, I will do it myself. It is one half of my mental therapy to keep me sane, and also I just don't trust anybody touching my car, except Bruno for alignment and corner balancing. It will probably happen next weekend. Planing to video the entire installation. Will keep you all posted.