Well folks i said in the past i would do it, and i've finally gotten around to looking at all the logs i've been doing the past 2 months.
The following are my own thoughts/results, after many runs and different settings using the above combo.I will also be posting some graphs, although i don't really thing putting a nice picture up will make any difference to the validity of my results/comments.People can take my post as the please.They can either believe and learn from it, or they can dismiss it as possible propaganda.Either way, i DON'T care...
So here it goes...
First, some comments about the S3 IC by itself.Before actually combining the two IC's i had about 4-5 months of experience with that unit.Contrary to what some people may believe, the S3 IC is a pretty cool intercooler.It does a very good job when compared to the stock GTI IC, but doesn't give the max performance when paired with a high boosting K04.The car feels strong at first, but after a couple of runs, it just gets "tired" and power drops off, hence the need for more cooling.
Pairing the two IC's was a pretty easy task.Having the S3 IC meant that i needed the S3 hoses, but the Gti core to do the job right.Some claimed the Gti hoses might also fit, but hey if you do something, at least do it right.
My initial experience with the Forge combo wasn't at all what i expected.Coming to these forums you hear about how the Forge might increase lag, how its a compromise in design, how much of a pressure drop it creates.Well in my case NONE of the above happened.I expected a decrease in pedal feel and off throttle acceleration, but what happened was exactly the opposite.Car immediately felt peppier, and every day that passed even more so.I can say i was pleasantly surprised.
Logging the 2 units busted another "myth".How the Forge would decrease boost ramp up and cause a laggy sensation when accelerating.Well VAG COM showed the curve of the S3 and the Combo one where ALMOST IDENTICAL.Don't ask me how or why.I was looking for differences to justify all the commotion, but nothing was there.
Then there where the intake temps.Logging the S3 IC at previous instances and doing 2nd to 5th gear pulls with an outside temp of 28 C showed IAT of 45 C, whereas during similar runs (and ambient temps) the combo showed a drop of 5 C !! as low as 40 C at the end of 5th gear.And thats with a K04 setup....During normal travel, the combo showed (at 38 C outside temp) an almost constant IAT of 42 C.Thats just 4 C over ambient !!
As an immense plus, the car just doesn't heatsoak any more.From the moment you turn on the key till you turn the engine off, the power is just always there.
Needless to say adding the Forge made it possible to up the timing a notch, giving even more performance.Car is going on the dyno sometime next month (hopefully) to see what the exact gains are.
Well thats about it.If you ask me if the combo is worth it, i would say it surely depends on what you are running.For me a K04 surely necessitates the use of a bigger cooling setup.Sure there are other IC's out there, but its more of a choice between APR's IC and the S3+Forge Combo.I chose the 2nd cause i already had the S3 installed, and i don't regret it one bit.There was none of the ill effects mentioned in this and other forums, and there was a clear improvement in engine function.
Thumbs up to Forge for a great product.
