Neuspeed GTI Front Mount Intercooler Review

mr wrong said:

I can also confirm it fits, but it was a lot of work.. You'll need a heat gun to heat up the hose, some lube- I used Poly Lube, some sort of flat nylon 'bone' to help guide the hose on.. It was also a two-man job.. Oh, and it might help to have Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' playing in the background..

I'm not gonna lie.. It was a huge PITA..

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jay745 said:

I didn't have any difficulty at all sliding the neuspeed hoses over the s3 TOP. A little bit of soapy water, and a pick to pry the hose over the TOP. Took maybe 3 minutes of wiggling and it was done.

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flipflp said:

This didn't worry me really, but I was hyper sensitive to where the rolled end was compared to the clamp and that the hose was square. I'd agree that a bigger roll OR 3-4 ribs machined in the ends like their adapter PLUS the in/out being round would be great.

Still no issues with mine and I'm hitting 22+ psi daily.

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flipflp said:

Two totally different styles of ICs. This is a true front mount IC that installs behind the bumper. The factory IC can either be "deleted" or just left in place. The APR is a factory style IC that needs to be installed in between the radiator and AC condenser, which means removing A LOT more of the car to install.

As far as a performance difference, I highly doubt there is a large, consistent, measurable difference between those two setups until you get into 400+ hp. Also, this IC can be had for ~$650 on sale, where the APR is over $1,000.

So the APR costs more and is more difficult to install. Also there are about a dozen other options for factory placement ICs that cost less and have more or less features than APR, but the install is still the same.

This IC can be DIY'd with simple tools in about 3 hours, double that for factory style ICs.

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BuiltforSin said:

Yeah, I have a K04, and I've been looking at the Neuspeed one. Just can't justify the $1,000 price on the APR, but I think I remember somewhere someone saying the APR was better, because there was A. more pressure drop with the Neuspeed, and B. the APR had cooler temperatures. I just can't seem to find that thread anywhere.

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GreasyGinzo said:

Fuck the APR IC there is nothing special about it. Only stock location IC I would ever buy is the IE or Wagner because they both have end tanks that help distribute flow more towards the top. The Neuspeed is great I felt an improvment in response on my ko4 turbo so I call bullshit on more pressure drop.

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BuiltforSin said:

Good to know. I'm looking for a decent IC for my K04 build, and I just can't justify the $1,000 price for the APR. Neuspeed it is!

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jay745 said:

I didn't have any difficulty at all sliding the neuspeed hoses over the s3 TOP. A little bit of soapy water, and a pick to pry the hose over the TOP. Took maybe 3 minutes of wiggling and it was done.

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tampa_mk5 said:

Are those of you running the S3 TOP also K04? My Neuspeed K04 TOP has been trouble and I would love an alternative.

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GreasyGinzo said:

What problems are you having? My Neuspeed ko4 discharge pipe has been fine even with my stage 3 kit.

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tampa_mk5 said:

I've had both the 90 at the turbo to the pipe pop off as well as the coupling side to the IC multiple times. Torn numerous green gaskets. I have adjusted it in every way- the last time when I put on the Fluidampr I thought I had it (hairspray, T-bolt clamps and a worm gear at each connection). It always starts as a small oil leak and if I don't address it, leads to a pop off.

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