HF-Series intercooler for VAG 1.8T 150/180 PS (Golf 4, Audi A3 8L)

This upgraded intercooler for the VAG 1.8T SMIC is a standout product in the HF-Series range. The high-quality Bar’n’Plate core provides excellent cooling performance, delivering strong performance even in demanding conditions while remaining highly robust. It offers high resistance to heat and does not heat up as much as comparable cores from other manufacturers. The entire system is also designed for optimum flow. This means minimal pressure loss, while the complete charge-air route was developed using CAD flow analyses. This also includes the intercooler end tanks, which are made from high-strength cast aluminium.

Product benefits:

• significantly cooler charge air, improving combustion in the engine
• quicker engine response
• improved flow

This product is therefore suitable both for standard power and for motorsport, as substantially higher power outputs are also possible. Each intercooler was built for the relevant vehicle, calculated using flow simulations and tested on a manufacturer power dynamometer. It fits to the original mounting points of the original OEM intercooler, so no major modifications are required. Customers can carry out the installation themselves with a well-equipped toolbox.

Note: The first 1.8T 20V engines without electronic throttle control (manual throttle body with cable) do not have a MAP sensor. Engine type: AGU. For these engines, select the version »without MAP sensor (type: AGU)«. The intercooler will then be supplied with a blanking plug for the MAP sensor connection.

Technical details

• Core: Bar’n’Plate
• Core length: 180 mm
• Core height: 210 mm
• Core depth: 130 mm
• Core volume without end tanks: 4,914 cm³
• Direct fitment
• Improved engine response
• Cast aluminium end tanks, flow-optimised
• Includes parts certificate for simplified registration under §19.3

Comparison

• Standard version – volume: 2,939 cm³
• HF-Series – volume: 4,914 cm³

What does an upgraded intercooler actually do?

To express the exact power gain provided by an intercooler in figures, many unknown factors must be taken into account, such as factory power variation, other hardware changes and the software used during measurement. This varies from vehicle to vehicle. As a rule of thumb for tuned engines, an increase of up to 5–10% can be expected.

At least as important is the fact that, whether the engine has already been optimised or is to remain standard from a software perspective, an intercooler helps prevent power loss at high ambient temperatures and can prevent the temperature protection programmed into many ECUs from being reached. This allows you to rely on the engine delivering its full power.

Recommendation

Use our HF-Series intercoolers in combination with hardware and software optimisation. Reducing back pressure, thereby relieving the turbocharger, and cooling the charge air, which increases the oxygen content in the combustion chamber and reduces thermal stress, creates an effective performance upgrade that efficiently utilises the potential of any turbocharged engine.

When carrying out hardware or software tuning, charge-air pressure loss must not be overlooked. If engine power is increased through chip tuning, charge pressure will also increase in 99% of cases. Using the standard intercooler causes charge-pressure loss to rise exponentially. This means the turbocharger has to work even harder, increasing its thermal load and reducing its service life through faster wear at high rotational speeds. Our HF-Series intercoolers provide the perfect balance between cooling performance and charge-pressure loss.

Suitable for: Audi A3 I (8L), VW Golf IV (1J).

Manufacturer’s vehicle data

• HF-Series Ladeluftkühler VAG 1.8T 150/180PS (z.B. Golf 4, A3 8L)

Original product name by HG Motorsport (»z.B.« = e.g.). Please check model, year and engine of your vehicle before ordering; if in doubt, contact us and we will check for you.

Approval

This part comes with a German Teilegutachten (parts certificate); the document is included. In Germany the part must be entered in the vehicle registration after fitting.