S3 intercooler plastic end and metal end - Differences

[the bruce]

Heat resistance isn't the point. Thermal conductivity of all plastics is very very bad.
Unfortunately we aren't able to specify the differences in cooling and flow. APR
and others may have compared them. Feel free to search some data on the web.

No doubt the thicker core is better if you have a K04. But no doubt as well the 'old'
S3 full alloy IC has better cooling properties. And if I take the labour to swap the IC
I'd surely go for the better one. To me the newer hybrid IC isn't worth three hours
of work.

[Sammy]

I got mine for £120 delivered as new condition, And to be honest i also dont see the plastic ended ones being a problem really, All the golf R's, TT's and Mk6 GTI's are coming with them and when tuned they seem to be fine?

[the bruce]

I didn't say it's "a problem". I did say the full alloy S3 IC has better cooling properties.
Even the stock Mk.V GTI IC isn't any issue.

But why take the labour for such a tiny improvement? Make your own decision - it's
your time to spend.

 

[56OctyVRS]

Just been researching the differences on various american forums and they report no difference in the cooling characteristics as the core is the same and no impeded flow.
My point about the plastic end caps is that they will not absorb heat as much as the aluminium (not alloy) end ic when driving slowly in town traffic. I know plastic wont cool air flow but it wont allow it to get warmer than metal would either.  Thats why they dont make air boxes out of metal, as they would just be a big heat sink with engine temps.  So to some its a cost option but I dont see as its a real problem.  After researching they use these as standard over in South Africa and they have much hotter conditions than us and dont report anything bad about them.
Id just stick the plastic ended ic and not worry too much about it Sammy.  

[Sammy]

Just been researching the differences on various american forums and they report no difference in the cooling characteristics as the core is the same and no impeded flow.
My point about the plastic end caps is that they will not absorb heat as much as the aluminium (not alloy) end ic when driving slowly in town traffic. I know plastic wont cool air flow but it wont allow it to get warmer than metal would either.  Thats why they dont make air boxes out of metal, as they would just be a big heat sink with engine temps.  So to some its a cost option but I dont see as its a real problem.  After researching they use these as standard over in South Africa and they have much hotter conditions than us and dont report anything bad about them.
Id just stick the plastic ended ic and not worry too much about it Sammy.  

Thanks, I did read about various posts which were similar to the ones you have just said, It does make sense as long as the intercooler core size is the same as the alloy ended intercoolers then i really wont see much difference in both coolers

[Sammy]

Also this is the part number i have:
1K0 145 803 BP

Came from a mk6 GTI and i believe this is the same as the S3 intercooler (plastic ends)

Will i need different hoses to connect them to as opposed to the metal ended coolers?

[the bruce]

Just been researching the differences on various american forums and they report no difference in the cooling characteristics as the core is the same and no impeded flow.
My point about the plastic end caps is that they will not absorb heat as much as the aluminium (not alloy) end ic when driving slowly in town traffic. I know plastic wont cool air flow but it wont allow it to get warmer than metal would either.  Thats why they dont make air boxes out of metal, as they would just be a big heat sink with engine temps.

Mk.V airboxes are placed inside the warm engine bay. The IC is placed in front of the radiator.
It's only job is to cool air. So it does make sense to make it from a material of proper thermal
conductivity. That's why the core is alloy. That's why high grade ICs are made of alloy com-
pletely. There is no advantage on plastic other than cost savings. Have a look at APR, Forge
or THS ICs. They have alloy ends. Audi won't have made the old S3 IC full alloy if there would
no advantage. It's nothing new they make things worse to save some cents.

[daz_pd]

Im going to take a chance on one of these plastic ended ones, I can understand the Alloy end tank version would be better, but I doubt the difference would be noticable in our climate.

[56OctyVRS]

The point im making is the end caps dont do anything to cool the air. Thats down to the radiator fins and the core, not the end caps. So it doesnt matter if they are plastic or metal, as they both ic cores will cool the charged air the same. There is no advantage over fitting the all alumininium ic to the one with plastic end caps. The ic is still in the engine bay on our cars and not a true front mounted intercooler like on evo where you can see them exposed in the bumper.

[the bruce]

Im going to take a chance on one of these plastic ended ones, I can understand the Alloy end tank version would be better, but I doubt the difference would be noticable in our climate.

When there aren't any differences so why swap the IC? Why don't you stay
with the stock IC? It's paid for and it doesn't need any labour.

The point im making is the end caps dont do anything to cool the air.

Ok, then all the engineers who designed the best ICs must be complete idiots?

 

[Sammy]

Im going to take a chance on one of these plastic ended ones, I can understand the Alloy end tank version would be better, but I doubt the difference would be noticable in our climate.

When there aren't any differences so why swap the IC? Why don't you stay
with the stock IC? It's paid for and it doesn't need any labour.


Because he is still upgrading to S3 intercooler like me and that has a bigger core and will have benefits

[56OctyVRS]

Do end caps cool the air? No. There purpose is to guide the air in and oit of the radiator core. Thats all.

[the bruce]

Do end caps cool the air? No. There purpose is to guide the air in and oit of the radiator core. Thats all.

Ok, it's pointless. You know it (better of course). And I don't have the time to repeat my self.
You both are looking for the answers you like to hear. If so you better don't ask. 

[56OctyVRS]

The point of the thread was to compare the differences between the metal and plastic ended s3 intercoolers. After research and reading about other peoples experiences on other forums , the conclusion was that they gave the same performance. Irrespective of what end caps they were. Im sorry if you dont agree but end caps dont cool the charged air. I know that as many moons ago when i first started tuning turbo cars.  A very well known company who produces ic explained to me how the ic was put together and what each part did.

[the bruce]

You said two or three times that plastic would have advantages. I wonder
why another member gave you a 'thank you' for this complete nonsense.