EPA-compliant, quieter intakes

[maltbbe]

I've been running the stock airbox and engine cover with an APR carbon inlet and K&N filter on my K04-converted Mk5 GTI for about 10,000kms with no issues. Only problem is that with a few extra mods (catch can, replacement breather pipes, etc.), the engine cover doesn't really fit under the hood anymore without squashing a whole bunch of vacuum hoses - so it's got to go.

I'm looking for an aftermarket intake which is a) not too loud (I don't want the car to attract too much attention), and b) absolutely not defect-able, which is the biggest reason I've kept the stock airbox so far. I'm in Victoria, and I think our EPA rules say you can run a paper pod filter but not an oiled one (modified vehicle guidelines - EPA Victoriahttps://www.epa.vic.gov.au/~/media/Publications/1031%204.pdf). Can anyone shed more light on this? I also don't want to spend ~$600 on a new intake if I can avoid it.

The Volant system looks pretty suitable but I've read some criticisms about fitment - I also really like the aesthetic of the Neuspeed P-Flo, but I'm worried it might be a bit loud. Any other ideas? Would also be super keen to hear from anyone who's built an enclosure for a pod filter intake - and if you've got anything second-hand for sale, let me know and I'll probably buy it from you...

[manol]

I would suggest speaking to Dubaddiction.
Dub Addiction
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Send them an email or a message on Facebook, they'll definitely be able to help you.

[Lucas_R]

The Volant fits well on the Mk5 GTI which is what it was designed for. I have seen people fit them to Mk6 GTI and Scirocco and the fitment on those is pretty terrible around the headlight (but understandable as it was not designed for them). Just bear in mind with the Volant that the special air filter they use is quite expensive when it comes time for replacement (around $100 i believe).

The Volant is probably the quietest intake that i have experienced (and ive experienced basically all of the intakes for the MK5/Mk6 platform) so if you want something not too much louder than the stock airbox/engine cover, the Volant should be on your list.

On the other end of the scale, i think the loudest intake i had was the VW Racing one.

[maltbbe]

Cheers for the advice! I actually ended up ordering a Neuspeed P-Flo... totally different to what I asked for advice on, but it was the cheapest I could find new and I like that it's red ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ might see about fabricating some kind of cover for the (paper) air filter when it arrives!

BLK Motorsports are sending it out to me - super easy to deal with and they were cheaper than ordering from overseas - would recommend

[Lucas_R]

The Neuspeed P-Flo is a nice neat and simple intake that is well designed - i also had that intake a few years ago (although i got the black version for a more subtle look).

Here are a few photos of the P-Flo when i had it fitted to my Mk6 Golf R:

[maltbbe]

Nice - love the engine cover! I think I remember these photos from when I asked for advice on catch can setups on this forum... I'm guessing you never tried to make an enclosure for the filter?

[Lucas_R]

Nice - love the engine cover! I think I remember these photos from when I asked for advice on catch can setups on this forum... I'm guessing you never tried to make an enclosure for the filter?

That's an engine cover from an Audi TT-S which fits on the Mk5 GTI and Mk6 R engine. You can see my catch can rubber pipes coming out from under the engine cover and i had mounted my catch can underneath the air filter.

I did end up with a carbon fibre enclosure for the air filter which i customised to make fit which i was very happy with in the end, but i used a different intake because the NeuSpeed wasnt on the correct angle to fit the enclosure and was a bit short in length. If it wasnt for those reasons i would have been happy to keep the P-Flo intake.

The intake i settled on was an AmD Tuning intake which had more silicone in the design which allowed me to adjust it perfectly to suit the carbon fibre airbox. I also ditched the huge oiled foam filter that came with the AmD intake for a smaller profile but longer AFE pod filter.

Auto Specialists - AIRTEC Motorsport Induction Kit for VAG 2.0-litre TFSI - Optional Cold Feed Scoop

I spend a stupid amount of time and money on intakes and dump pipes trying to find what i wanted, and ended up customising both the intake and down pipe to make them what i wanted. In the end i removed the catch can and sold it as i could not fit it anywhere decent in the engine bay with my final intake setup.

[maltbbe]

Intake arrived and installed - as expected, it's *so* loud (at least compared to the stock airbox)! Didn't know that I wanted my car to make turbo flutter noises until now... it feels a bit more responsive at low revs, which would make sense, but I haven't pushed it very hard yet.

That carbon airbox setup looks epic, but I can see how it wouldn't fit around the Neuspeed intake. I might have a go at building an enclosure out of sheet metal at some point, but as far as I can tell from Victorian RWC rules my setup ought to be totally legal since it uses a paper filter (and I haven't upgraded the intercooler - weird caveat).

[Lucas_R]

Nicely done - looks good. The turbo spool and sucking noises are pretty addictive. Enjoy.