MK6

Big things come in small packages, so the saying goes. I would venture to guess that if you're reading this then you already know that is the general concept behind the GTI and Golf R. The turbo four-cylinder coupled with a stiff suspension guarantees a stellar smiles-per-mile rating. Given that the MK6 has become the figure head of the VW modification scene, plenty are wondering how to make this small hot-hatch seem even bigger. This just happens to be the thought process behind our new intercooler design.

The MK6 Golf R is the prime example of big things coming in small packages. Sporting a powerful 2.0T along with Volkswagen's 4Motion, subtly aggressive styling, this hatch is a wolf in sheep's clothing. This particular R happens to be a our test rig for the new intercooler design.

Our last update for this project left you with the foundation for our new design. To put it simply, it was the general structure and outline of our updated intercooler. We've since completed the draft with

As the temperature drops and the leaves begin to change, we start to enter prime boosting season. That's correct, as the weather gets spookier, the efficiency of your charged air system improves. The cooler, denser outside air is much easier to cram into your GTI's cylinders than the thick muggy summer air. However, just because the outside temperatures are dropping, that doesn't mean the heat is leaving your stock intercooler.

If you recall from our review of the stock components, VW shrouded the base of a good intercooler design in the support system for the creature comfort we all enjoy, and put it in close proximity to the radiator. To make matters worse, mostly in our case and not so much for climate change, the adaptation of the PremAir system limits the build envelope even further. We have our work cut out for us.

Since our space is extremely limited for this project, we won't be able to expand the size of the core, which is typically the first step when it comes to improving intercoolers.

By now the pedigree of the Volkswagen GTI is widely known. It's been around for what feels like forever in a handful of different variations, and more or less invented the hot-hatch segment. Now that we're on the 7.5th generation, and rapidly approaching the 8th, the MK6 is quickly becoming the poster boy for the VW enthusiast scene.

The MK6 ended up being more of a visual improvement over the MK5. The facelift that came about in 2009 added some edges to the rounded and bubbly styling of the GTI's younger generation. The interior was rejuvenated and given the success of the TSI series' engines over the FSI, the engine bay more or less remained the same as the later MK5s except for a slight bump in power. Now that this generation is going on its second cycle, many are increasing the power even more by means of intakes, big turbos, and upgraded tuning. There's one thing these all have in common though, they all require an intercooler that's up to snuff.

Volkswagen, and characteristically