1.8 bar modification for 5kcsq

[Michael Guidotti]

the stock radiator in the 5K is aluminum with plastic end caps that are crimped on, very poor design and was just a way of cutting cost just like the plastic end caps on the intercooler. the aftermarket "upgrade" is an all brass or copper (I forget which, I think it is copper) mine is made by Modine and actually cost less that the OEM one. the nice thing about this is that the plastic will not fall apart on you causing you to loose all of your coolant, usually at the worst possible time! I was lucky and mine failed while loosening a hose clamp, just crumbled in my hands. they have repair kits for them but it will just fail again in a different place. as far as running hot I never had a problem with either one. I have an Intended acceleration chip in my car and even on the track I have never had it overheat or really even run any hotter than it does in traffic. The oil temp will go up, under the most extreme conditions I have seen 260*F so a better oil cooler is not a bad idea if you are going to be doing a lot of track driving. I agree on the recommendation on the intercooler. the stock one overheats after a few seconds and your performance drops off big time. 2 things you can do to help this is install a water sprayer on the intercooler, which will help lower temps. I have this as well as an internal water injection. I have been very happy with both of these systems but I still plan on getting a bigger/more efficient intercooler.

Mike Guidotti
87 5KTQ
88 GTI 16v