Installing a Unitronic Intercooler on a Mk7 Golf Sportwagen (Mk7 GTI and Golf R)

In this video, I tackle replacing the stock tube and fin intercooler with a much larger bar and plate Unitronic Intercooler on my 2017 Mk7 Golf Sportwagen.
Chapters
0:00 - Introduction
1:19 - Removal of Stock Intercooler
7:48 - Stock Intercooler vs. Unitronic Intercooler
8:34 - Install of Unitronic Intercooler
11:11 - Review of Install
The links below are affiliate links. By clicking on them, I may receive commissions that help support the youtube channel and this build.
//Car Modifications//
Unitronic Stage 2 ECU Tune
Unitronic Stage 2 TCU (DSG) Tune
Integrated Engineering 3" Downpipe
Unitronic MQB Intercooler
Unitronic Turbo Inlet Pipe / Elbow
Driverside Air Duct Modification
H&R Sport Springs - ebay.us/1I00ml​​
16" Sparco Terra Wheels (black)
215/60R16 Yokohama Geolandar A/T Tires
Rally Armor Mudflaps - ebay.us/SjyoL0​​
Racingline Stud Conversion Kit
Helix 7.5 Headlights for Mk7 VW Golf / Black
LED Dynamic Turn Signals - ebay.us/3XU9FS​​
LeyoMotorsport PD Paddle Shifters
//Toolbox//
- Neiko Torx Bit Socket Set - ebay.us/ULxxkS​​
- Neiko Hex Bit Socket Set - ebay.us/RlG2QM​​
- Neiko Triple Square Set - ebay.us/c386ZR​​
- Tekton 3/8 Inch Drive Shallow Sockets - 12 Point - ebay.us/gp3vdW​​
- Tekton 3/8 Inch Drive Deep Sockets - ebay.us/C1ugco​​
- Craftsman 20-Piece Universal Joint Set
- Neko Genius 1 Battery Charger
- EWK Oil Extractor - ebay.us/8Ea9AC​​
//Camera Gear//
- Sony A6300 - ebay.us/IcUQRJ​​
- GoPro Hero (2018) - ebay.us/HGsn9L​​
- Rode WirelessGO - ebay.us/AhdHBJ​​
- Rode VideoMic - ebay.us/yRqLBU​​
- Sony G 18-105 Lens - ebay.us/wXCed4​​
- DJI Spark Drone - ebay.us/vGBa4q​​
- DJI Osmo Mobile - ebay.us/KnhXon​​
- Zhiyun Crane 2 GimballIn this video I'll be installing Helix Headlights modeled after the golf Mk7.5 headlights onto my 2017 Mk7 Golf Sportwagen. These headlights feature LED Turn Signals, LED Day Time Running Lights (DRLs) and LED High Beams, and accommodate Halogen, LED and Bi-xenon Low Beams. These work to replace Halogen headlights on MK7 golf models.

[@oem_slim]

Probably one of the best step by step videos I've seen for the MQB platform. I'll be upgrading mine later this month. Much appreciated! 🤙🏾

[@DadWagon]

I appreciate it! It’s no small task but you got this.

[@prs314]

I did everything on my alltrack myself (is38 turbo, downpipe, suspension/springs, front macan brakes, charge pipes, intake, etc) EXCEPT for the intercooler. Decided it's not worth my time and paid for the install. So kudos for doing this on your own.

[@garryemerson211]

You make it look so easy. I appreciate all of your videos. Please keep posting 👍

[@DadWagon]

Hopefully not too easy... because it wasn't :)

[@connerkuhns.]

Thanks for making the video, starting on installing mine shortly.. Best part was the lady, kid and doggo stopping in at one point to check on ya, I can relate!

[@DadWagon]

Thanks so much!

[@mrwienerpants6077]

Thanks for the video brother, I couldn’t find one for Racingline that would explain it good enough. Your video is probably the best one as far as detailed step by step. Thank you again 🫡

[@DadWagon]

Thanks so much ! Hope the install goes well!

[@AlanSutton]

Excellent video again! On the OEM intercooler- While it wasn’t designed above-stock horsepower, the tube-fin is indeed crazy light and VW engineering knew what they were doing with this air-air core design. Besides the lighter weight, tube-fin is less affected by under-hood temps, placement behind the condenser and they generally allow more air to pass to the coolant radiator.

[@DadWagon]

Thanks for the detailed info! All stuff I didn't know. Thanks for sharing with everyone.

[@JaredsGarage]

Digging on all of your videos, fellow michigander. Im building a Mk7 GTI over in SE Detroit myself. Love the Sportwagen and considering picking one up as a daily in the not too distant future.

[@DadWagon]

Thanks so much for following along - share your build with me on social media!

[@lukemfross5533]

Thanks for the video I am looking to add one of these after I go stage 2, the unitronic seems like a great option but I've always loved the look of the front mount intercooler which is less effective but more aesthetic gratification haha

[@DadWagon]

Luke, do you have a link to an example?

[@HardwayLearning]

Nice work on this video! Super easy to follow

[@DadWagon]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for checking it out.

[@joshuakerstein9573]

Great video!

[@kaneda7katsuragi]

another great detailed video, thanks!

[@DadWagon]

My pleasure!

[@TruthDrummer65]

Great tutorial! I'm still deciding whether to do the IC install myself or have a shop do it.

[@DadWagon]

You can do it! but there is no shame in going the shop route - it's always a trade off of time and money.

[@ADSaaron]

Nice video. I appreciate ya 👍

[@DadWagon]

Thank you. I appreciate you!

[@andrewroscom1911]

how's your IATs been post IC install compared to stock? I really want to know because im on mk7 gli 2020 with stock IC is20

[@karstgeo7290]

I wussed out on this and the DP and paid 🤣. You'll be happy with it when you push your power.

[@DadWagon]

'Wussed out' isn't accurate - you probably made the right opportunity cost calculation :)

[@karstgeo7290]

@@DadWagon that is 100% what it is - sometimes you sub it out sometimes you DIY. I try to balance it is all.

[@darcabaniss6495]

Awesome video very helpful. Do you think this would be the same for a R?

[@DadWagon]

Yes, other than some of the fancy electronic bits that may be in the front bumper

[@darcabaniss6495]

@@DadWagon man you really did make that look easy.. it was a total PITA. Glad it's over and runs good lol

[@FredericAbel]

Did you consider the CTSturbo Intercooler ? I'm planning Stage2 on my car and may go with CTS.

[@DadWagon]

I did not. The only other one I was really considering was the Burger Tuning one.

[@bouboule10101010]

@@DadWagon hi, why dont you consider cts? I just bought it :/

[@DadWagon]

@@bouboule10101010 no specific reason. Burger Tuning was the most affordable and Unitronic was hooking me up with a discount - so those were the only two i looked at.

[@bouboule10101010]

@@DadWagon oh thks i buy cts for the discount almost the same price than burger IC like 200$ max

[@jackkovacs4533]

time for some charge pipes and that is38!

[@DadWagon]

IYO, how necessary are the charge pipes? It seems to be a 50/50 from is38 runners on if they put them in or not.

[@michaelkain7641]

Maybe it’s just psychological but I have the ECS Tuning charge pipes and I just installed them last weekend. I feel like my gti is a little more responsive. I also just like how the pipes look. I’m planning on tossing in an IS38 once it ships and getting a solid tune. My gti is pretty much stock atm with just an intake, bigger turbo inlet, turbo muffler delete and the charge pipes. I’m waiting to throw in the down pipe, turbo and intercooler before getting software. Overall feels a little more responsive but I’m not sure if it would be that noticeable if you weren’t stock in the first place. That’s my take, and I drive about 100 miles a day with a majority of it being highway.

[@DadWagon]

@@michaelkain7641 Thanks for the reply and the detailed input. Your GTI is going to fly once you get all your goodies in stock and installed!

[@fdude69]

Bro how long did the install take you? You went solo brave stuff tbh.

[@DadWagon]

About 3-4 hours. It was a huge pain and a lot of pieces and parts. But manageable with the help of a jack and helpful KZbin videos.

[@fdude69]

@@DadWagon hell yeah that's not as long as I was expecting. Definitely gonna use your video and give it a shot. Good job on it. 🤙

[@Zakw17]

I have heard this is a nightmare, would.you say easier or harder than installing the turbo? It doesn't look horrible to me, probably just because I have torn the whole front off my MK6 before.

[@DadWagon]

Definitely easier than the turbo. if turbo was 9 out of 10... this is a 7-8?

[@Zakw17]

The downpipe looks like a bear too. I wanted to do more on this car myself but I'm not sure I have the skills for a couple bits... My MK6 had one shitty bolt for the downpipe, this is a whole new animal lol. At least I'll do the suspension.

[@mrfrankferd]

I have the mk6 is it gu a be the same?

[@DadWagon]

I don't think so.

[@Zharsergey]

Is this gen 1 or 2? Nevermind thought it was IE

[@DadWagon]

Got it. Yeah, this is the only intercooler for MQB from Uni.

[@Zharsergey]

@@DadWagon Why did you decide to go with Uni vs IE?

[@DadWagon]

@@Zharsergey To save myself $300 to put towards a turbo.

[@Zharsergey]

@@DadWagon Going IS38?

[@DadWagon]

@@Zharsergey maybe.....................

[@g4holla]

I don't know man, he broke the clip and the video said to repeat on the other side..

[@DadWagon]

Haha 😂. #protip

[@g4holla]

@@DadWagon just messing brother hehe. Solid vid 👊