MrFancypants
Autocross Champion
Yes its very true, I did track my Evo 9 MR at least twice a month in 100+F heat at Chuckawalla Raceway in Blythe, CA which is probably one of the "hottest" tracks, Literally speaking in the USA. My Evo on E85 stock Turbo was making roughly 400whp, 392 to be exact and it dyno'd at 225 stock so almost 200 whp more than stock, I never had an over heating issue. Not Once. My sessions would be about 20 minutes each, Idle cool downs in between.
Some cars have better designs than others that is for sure. Evo X's I have seen get warm, but my 9 never did. I ran stock Radiator too. Just saying.
I think I am going to pass on the K04 build. Looks like a potential problem that I am not willing to deal with on my particular car. I am thinking just Stage II, Downpipe and I/C and supporting mods like Coil packs and such. If the K03 maxed out doesn't have over heating issues, then to me that is the better route to go.
Thoughts.
Jeff
Every car has a thing or two that you have to deal with when you modify it. It's good that you didn't have any issues with your EVO, but please allow his thread to be focused finding and documenting effective solutions for the GTI.
I think you should do what was recommended in the thread you made in the "GTI vs...." forum. Don't jump straight to a K04, just go up the upgrade path like most do. You may find that you're perfectly happy with just the basic bolt on and a tune.