Background:
The AMS and IE V1 intercoolers have been two of my favorite stock location intercoolers, along with the APR IC. The APR has found a home on my missus’ Golf R where the stock size inlet and outlet are a better fit with the ECS Tuning charge pipes, and the AMS and IE have been pulling duty on the GTI as part of a bicooler setup.
The AMS and IE have larger openings in the end tanks, which is a better fit with the bicooler hoses I use that come with the Majesty FMIC.
For the bicooler setup used with the Mabotech M520 and M720 turbochargers, as well as the Shuenk IS48 turbo, the IE V1 was paired with a Vibrant 12810 FMIC, the same IC used in the Baun Performance FMIC kit.
I chose the IE V1 over the AMS due to its slightly better pressure drop; airflow measures 217 CFM @ 28″ of H2O with the IE versus 199 CFM with the AMS. Since the turbochargers were all producing over 30 psi, and around 34 psi with the Mabotech’s, I emphasized the pressure drop.
Note: Since the configuration was that of a bicooler, the difference in pressure drop between the intercoolers would be minor.
Swap:
I’ve now shifted away from using high boost turbochargers, and wanted to clear one IC out of my garage. The AMS was the easy choice to sell since it was already out of the car, but after being listed for several weeks with only low-ball offers, I decided to pull the listing and swap out the IE V1 for the AMS.
The AMS IC has been the best “stand-alone” cooling solution I have used (meaning not a bicooler). Several years ago, I made a detailed comparison of the AMS, do88, HPA, and Wagner stock location ICs, and the AMS was the clear top performer in terms of cooling performance.
The lower boost levels I plan to operate the GTI with in the future aren’t as demanding in terms of pressure drop, and therefore, I shifted emphasis to cooling efficiency, which the AMS IC has over the IE IC. As with the pressure drop difference, cooling efficiency differences are also small, and I would have kept the IE IC if somebody had wanted the AMS – but they didn’t, so I decided to try offering the IE IC for sale.
The AMS is the lightest aftermarket stock location IC I have tried, something that is nice to have.
Next step:
With the AMS IC installed, my next IC choice will be between the Vibrant 12810 and a Treadstone TR8-24C as the FMIC in a bicooler configuration.