Background:
ECS Tuning makes a front-mounted intercooler for the Mk7 GTI. Recently a used one became available nearby that I snagged so that I can compare this option with the other FMICs that I have tried.
The first set of tests will use a flow bench to measure the pressure drop/airflow across the inside of the intercooler and through the external cooling fins.
Test Procedure:
Prior to testing the intercooler, a calibration plate is mounted to the flow bench to verify the accuracy of the flow measurement.
Then the ECS silicone hoses, which are sized to work with the stock charge pipes, are attached to the intercooler.
The intercooler is suspended via a tie-down strap so that the orientation of the hoses may remain close to how they are when the product is installed on the vehicle.
The intake side charge pipe has a bellmouth inserted at the inlet to help smooth airflow into the intercooler’s hose.
The outlet side silicone hose is attached to an adapter that connects the intercooler to the flow bench.
The flow bench is operated at a depression of 28″ of H2O and the airflow through the interior of the intercooler is recorded at that depression.
The intercooler is next tested for external airflow through the cooling fins.
Note: There is no picture for this part of the testing.
The intercooler is set on top of an adapter so that air is pulled through the external fins. The bench is operated at a depression of 10″ of H2O and the airflow is recorded.
This test is repeated twice, rotating the intercooler between each measurement, to enable the calculation of an average value.
Note: The three measurements varied by +/-2 CFM, which is approximately the margin of error for these measurements. The measurements were consistent.
Test Results:
Internal airflow through the ECS Tuning FMIC was 200 CFM @ 28″ of H2O. This is shown with other FMICs and the stock GTI IC on the chart:
Airflow through the external fins of the ECS Tuning FMIC was 356 CFM @ 10″ of H2O. This is shown with other intercoolers that have been tested in the chart:
Conclusions:
The ECS Tuning FMIC for the Mk7 GTI was tested using a flow bench for internal airflow/pressure drop and airflow through the external cooling fins.
The internal flow test produced a measurement of 200 CFM @ 28″ of H2O. This is slightly more than the stock GTI intercooler and is in the top half of the FMICs that have been tested.
The external airflow measured 356 CFM @ 10″ of H2O. This is also in the top half of all of the intercoolers that have been tested.
Overall the ECS Tuning FMIC flowed above average compared to the other intercoolers that have been tested up to this point.