Cold Air Intake Query

[Pineapple_162]

Hi All,
Quick query on a cold air intake: Is there any tangible difference between a $400 ebay system and a $1500 or $2500 system? Are you just paying for the branding and some sort of bragging tax?

Just wanted to double check before I jumped into the wrong end of the pool.

Cheers all.
P

[petemac110]

Unless you're really pushing the envelope power-wise with aftermarket turbos, there's little performance gain between any of the aftermarket systems and a modified factory intake system (aftermarket turbo inlet pipe, snow grate removal and dremelled passenger side intake duct) in terms of power output on IS20-equipped Octavias. That said, aftermarket systems do look fancier/nicer and many open or semi-open systems offer nice induction sounds.

I'm not sure what other mods you already have, but you're better off saving your coin towards an ECU tune of some sort, as this will bring power and torque gains that are genuinely felt and are quite transformative to how the car drives and performs. The bang for buck ratio is off the charts vs intake mods.

[Pineapple_162]

Unless you're really pushing the envelope power-wise with aftermarket turbos, there's little performance gain between any of the aftermarket systems and a modified factory intake system (aftermarket turbo inlet pipe, snow grate removal and dremelled passenger side intake duct) in terms of power output on IS20-equipped Octavias. That said, aftermarket systems do look fancier/nicer and many open or semi-open systems offer nice induction sounds.

I'm not sure what other mods you already have, but you're better off saving your coin towards an ECU tune of some sort, as this will bring power and torque gains that are genuinely felt and are quite transformative to how the car drives and performs. The bang for buck ratio is off the charts vs intake mods.

Thanks for the reply.

I am looking at the 034 stage 1 at the same time as the intake.

I have decided I am not likely to go much harder than that on mods as I like the idea of it mostly being stock, but having that bit of induction sound.

As I mentioned, the biggest question mark was over which intake to look at. I also notice the cheaper units to not seem to have any allocation for the vacuum hose either.

Im not keen on dropping Racingline R600 money on an intake, but sub 1k I would be happy to entertain. Just wanted to make sure there wasnt something obvious I was missing.

[petemac110]

Good to hear re: the Stage 1 approach. I've seen a few mixed and negative comments from users of the 034 tune on a facebook page dedicated to the Passat/Superb 206TSI models - worth doing your research methinks.

I'm not across any fitment issues or the finer details of the vacuum hose connection between different models as I never bothered researching intakes to that degree of detail. Once I realised that there was not much to be gained in the power stakes vs a modded stock intake, my attention turned elsewhere.

Personally, I'd throw the coin at a better Stage 1 tune in the first instance. Galano springs to mind, although in Queensland you might consider a Spectune through Tarmac Engineering. Don't forget a DSG tune too - a good one really improves the driveability.

[Pineapple_162]

Good to hear re: the Stage 1 approach. I've seen a few mixed and negative comments from users of the 034 tune on a facebook page dedicated to the Passat/Superb 206TSI models - worth doing your research methinks.

I'm not across any fitment issues or the finer details of the vacuum hose connection between different models as I never bothered researching intakes to that degree of detail. Once I realised that there was not much to be gained in the power stakes vs a modded stock intake, my attention turned elsewhere.

Personally, I'd throw the coin at a better Stage 1 tune in the first instance. Galano springs to mind, although in Queensland you might consider a Spectune through Tarmac Engineering. Don't forget a DSG tune too - a good one really improves the driveability.

Oh man, thanks for the heads up on Tarmac, had no idea they were just up the road. Looks like the Spectune is super easy to sort out as well.

Tried to get a gauge on the 034, but due to the age of the vehicle much of the chatter is fairly old at the moment.

I have the 6 speed manual, so no DSG tune for me. Will keep you posted on how I go.

[petemac110]

Oh man, thanks for the heads up on Tarmac, had no idea they were just up the road. Looks like the Spectune is super easy to sort out as well.

Tried to get a gauge on the 034, but due to the age of the vehicle much of the chatter is fairly old at the moment.

I have the 6 speed manual, so no DSG tune for me. Will keep you posted on how I go.

Tarmac know their stuff - hard to go wrong there!

Thoughts and prayers for your clutch! hehe

[Pineapple_162]

Thank you! Yes, clutch falls into the category of "future me problem".

[petemac110]

Thank you! Yes, clutch falls into the category of "future me problem".

I'd definitely prefer to be in the Stage 1 tune boat and deal with a clutch replacement in future, rather than staying with the standard tune.

I'm almost certain a wise man once said "better to have loved your stage one tune and lost your clutch, than to never have loved at all"

[genebaby]

So far I'm still going with the MST intake when the time comes to mod in the engine bay and get a tune.

[Pineapple_162]

Pretty sure that was Jesus. I remember from Christmas mass.

[Sharkie]

I'd definitely prefer to be in the Stage 1 tune boat and deal with a clutch replacement in future, rather than staying with the standard tune.

I'm almost certain a wise man once said "better to have loved your stage one tune and lost your clutch, than to never have loved at all"

Unless you drive like an idiot everywhere, a Stg 1 tune will not break a clutch (at least not immediately). I'm on Stg 2+ on my manual Golf R and still on the stock clutch. 25,000km since going Stg 1 and 5,000km since Stg 2 and no problems, not even any signs of it going such as taking high ....

Some mechanical sympathy goes a long way to extend the life of your clutch regardless of the state of tune.

BTW, tested and proven that a CAI does indeed make a difference, but only once the car is tuned, on a stock car, very little difference other than noise.

[guile]

revo are worth considering for stage 1 too, i have it on my gti and would recommend it...

There's a revo dealer in the west end if thats anywhere near you...

i went with the silicone intake hose to the standard air box with K&N panel filer. it might be worth considering but probably won't give you the induction noise you want. Saying that i have an induction kit on my s3 and can't really tell any difference noise wise...

[petemac110]

Unless you drive like an idiot everywhere, a Stg 1 tune will not break a clutch (at least not immediately). I'm on Stg 2+ on my manual Golf R and still on the stock clutch. 25,000km since going Stg 1 and 5,000km since Stg 2 and no problems, not even any signs of it going such as taking high ....

Some mechanical sympathy goes a long way to extend the life of your clutch regardless of the state of tune.

Ah, that's good to hear! It seems that on the US forums (who perhaps drive like nutters?) they are needing to upgrade clutches before long. Glad to hear that's not the rule.

BTW, tested and proven that a CAI does indeed make a difference, but only once the car is tuned, on a stock car, very little difference other than noise.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting that they don't make a difference. What I'm saying is that there's not an enormous difference between a properly modified factory airbox and an aftermarket intake on any factory turbos (whether IS20 or IS3. There's really bugger-all between the two - maybe a handful of hrspwrs which the best calibrated bum dyno will never feel, although it might make a squiggly line on a dyno graph appear a tad higher.

[Pineapple_162]

Thanks sharkie appreciate the input.

Revo were in my shortlist as their price range is appealing, so good to hear you have had a great experience guile

[Pineapple_162]

So what kind of black magic can be worked on the stock box to get it to a similar place?(obviously minus the neat looks)