Intercooler upgrade

Rudy 'D'

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Location
Right here in Alabama!
TDI
2004 Golf GLS
I have an '04 Golf TDI (BEW) that is currently stock. I am planning on a turbo upgrade to a VNT 17/22.

Do I need a larger/better intercooler? If so, Which one?

Thanks.
 

Jump.Wire

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2010
Location
Toronto
TDI
2001 GL
IC upgrade should be one of the last things on your mind. Upgrade to a turbo back exhaust first.
 

FlyTDI Guy

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 3, 2001
Location
PNW
TDI
'01 Jetta GLS
Basically it goes like this...

Add more fuel until you smoke (Nozzles)
Add more air to clear it up (Turbo)
Replace your clutch because it's now smoked.
Add more fuel as needed.
Upgrade DP, exhaust, IC & piping.
Start obsessing about a GTBxxxx

Let me amend this a bit...

for your BEW it's more like

Tune
Turbo
Clutch
Exhaust/IC
More fuel (Bigger injectors)
Re-Tune
Now obsess about huge turbo, rods, LSD, ported head, even bigger injectors...
 
Last edited:

Richard55

Vendor
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Location
Rutledge, Georgia
TDI
2000 NB
I love this progression chart lol

Basically it goes like this...

Add more fuel until you smoke (Nozzles)
Add more air to clear it up (Turbo)
Replace your clutch because it's now smoked.
Add more fuel as needed.
Upgrade DP, exhaust, IC & piping.
Start obsessing about a GTBxxxx

Let me amend this a bit...

for your BEW it's more like

Tune
Turbo
Clutch
Exhaust/IC
More fuel (Bigger injectors)
Re-Tune
Now obsess about huge turbo, rods, LSD, ported head, even bigger injectors...
 

Rudy 'D'

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Location
Right here in Alabama!
TDI
2004 Golf GLS
Basically it goes like this...

Add more fuel until you smoke (Nozzles)
Add more air to clear it up (Turbo)
Replace your clutch because it's now smoked.
Add more fuel as needed.
Upgrade DP, exhaust, IC & piping.
Start obsessing about a GTBxxxx

Let me amend this a bit...

for your BEW it's more like

Tune
Turbo
Clutch
Exhaust/IC
More fuel (Bigger injectors)
Re-Tune
Now obsess about huge turbo, rods, LSD, ported head, even bigger injectors...

Thanks for the advice.
Seems like everyone thinks the stock BEW (PD) injectors are big enough for mild mods.

You guys rock. Thanks again.
 

coalminer16

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 11, 2008
Location
Central Wisconsin
TDI
Golf 2004
You are a ways from needing injectors yes. But I am still interested in the whole intercooler question as there isn't many options for the PD engine that is bolt on. I am interested due to the trailer towing and seeing the intake temps from the scan gauge rise a lot.
 

milehighassassin

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Mar 18, 2005
Location
Fort Collins, CO
TDI
2005 Golf TDi PD, Reflex Silver
Towing a trailer will kill your intake temps. I have a Eurojet SMIC and it does a great job until I put a heavy load on it with the trailer.
 

coalminer16

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 11, 2008
Location
Central Wisconsin
TDI
Golf 2004
I bought this spring the vented fender liner as my OEM one was cracked up some anyways. It helped a little but still would like a better intercooler for the PD.
 

VWBeamer

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Location
GA
TDI
2004 Jetta Wagon
If it fits a MKIV ALH, it will fit a PD with little trouble, in fact it's almost the same if you run a 17/22.

Only real difference is where it joins the intake.
 

diesel-dave

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2007
Location
earth
TDI
2003 wagon TDI, 2003 wagon Tdi, 2013 Q7 Tdi
Plug in a scan guage, drive around and monitor your air intake temps
This will tell you if your intercooler is good enough

Again you live in the south
 
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