That's not a bad idea at all. The heat exchanger is just a slim radiator that sits sandwiched between the main radiator and AC condenser. My stock MK7
hot weather version is 625mm X 414mm X 27mm (5mm wider and 11mm thicker than the standard). I would be curious if somehow a unit similar in size to say, an upgraded A2A charge cooler for a GTI/R could fit in that same location to keep things simple.
It might also help if I straighten all the fins of the AC condenser because I know they are jacked up and likely blocking a ton of flow. The condenser is very large and blocks nearly the entire charge cooling radiator, so flow there could be improved substantially. I may be pulling the bumper soon anyway when taking the gearbox off (again) to install the input shaft support, so will have plenty of access to straighten all of those.
Edited in because this is likely the better figure to use:
Rough estimate of cooling surface area by measuring core
width X depth X twice the number of cooling rows (to account for surface area of top and bottom of each bar). Anyone feel free to mention if my thinking is off.
2086sq.in - MK7 Hot climate
1848sq.in - Frozenboost front mount
2496sq.in - small Mishimoto front mount
3612sq.in - large Mishimoto stock mount location (darn close to stock fitment dimensions and inlet/outlet)
4800sq.in -
CTS upgrade