exhaust options for jetta 1.4 tsi

[spiff]

hi all,

i've been reading this forum and jettamkv trying to figure out exhaust options. i've also spoken to a couple of places in perth but with work commitments have only had time to visit one (they all want to have a look at the vehicle first before providing a quote).

it costs something like $900 - $1100 for a catback system and $1500 for a turboback. is that the price one normally pays? (i was quoted on magnaflow as well as custom)

i am trying to understand all the terms about catback, turboback, downpipe; what benefits each has and whether it's more an issue of what you want (sound, performance, looks) and the amount you can afford.. or whether there are truly much greater benefits to be had. i figure if the above prices are right, then $400 more for something that gives better benefits isn't too much. i can save up for a couple of months more.

also, i read in some threads that downpipe is the same as turboback.. but apr's website has different prices for both types of items.

which also brings me to another issue..apr doesn't seem to have any exhaust setups for the jetta 1.4 tsi. should i go with some other brand, get a custom job, or order parts in from overseas and have someone local install it?

as you can probably tell, i'm quite new to exhaust mods.

any pointers are much appreciated.

[tofo17]

This is how I think of it:
- the complete exhaust is from the turbo back, so "turboback" is the whole thing
- it is comprised of two parts, which you can replace individually: 1) the "downpipe" which runs from from the turbo to the catalytic converter, and 2) the rest of the exhaust from the catalytic converter to the exhaust tip = a "catback".

Your desired solution usually depends upon what you are trying to achieve and the stock exhaust in question. There are two things people try to achieve with an exhaust, a performance gain and noise.
How to access the performance gain will depend on how restrictive the stock exhaust is and where it is restrictive. I'm not sure about the 1.4TSI but with the 2.0TFSI there is a school of thought that replacing the downpipe (and combined with an appropriate tune from GIAC, APR, etc..) is where most of the performance gain can be had. Adding the catback is largely about noise (changing mufflers, etc..).
For my 2.0TFSI Jetta I got an APR tune (massive improvement) and later added a downpipe with a new APR tune (large improvement). The Jetta is my wife's daily drive so I didn't want to alter the note. Having said that, even with the downpipe you can certainly hear the turbo spool more.

I'm getting a Golf VI for my daily drive soon and no doubt will get an APR tune pretty soon after it is run in. I'm not sure what the conventional wisdom is for the 1.4TSI regarding exhausts and, as you say, APR don't currently have any products. I asked Harding Performance about this and they told me products are in development, which isn't too surprising given how many 1.4TSIs will be running around in the VW family (with the MKVI Golf and I think it will be the Polo GTI engine too).

I'll be waiting for APR to release an exhaust (not sure whether downpipe or full) with matching tune, which I feel confident they will. Being based in Brisbane and very happy with the work on my Jetta this is a no-brainer.

Cheers,
Tofo

[GTom]

Don't know whether this would fit a Jetta 1.4, But miltek have had something out for the Golf GT.

http://www.millteksport.com/exhaust.products.cfm?variantid=235

It has a nice sounding note as well.

[Greg Roles]

A cheap option for now, while you wait for specific "off the rack" exhausts to appear, is to just delete the huge rear pancake muffler on your stock exhaust. Polar has done it in his GT TSI, and i just did it on my GT TDI, and it makes for a bit sportier note, even in the diesel. No doubt it would help the TSI turbo response a little, and for about $100 it's bang for your buck. Can't comment on the TSI, but it makes my TDI sound more "induction roar" like, except from the rear. You can only hear it when you're up it, normal driving and idle you'd never pick a difference. Windows up and it's barely there.

[spiff]

Thanks tofo! That makes quite a bit more sense to me. Is there a reason you chose the APR over other off the shelf brands or custom jobs? I think if I went with the APR, it would be because of their experience with european cars and vw specifically - although, it seems to cost approx $1000 more than other brands.

The exhaust shops I've spoken to so far in Perth don't have much experience with VWs, and it seems like they're either really into the Japanese cars or the Aussie V8s.. which to me, seem like a whole different world of modification.

cogdoc, that sounds like a plan. I will investigate that with some shops that may have more experience with the Jetta TSI.

By the way, is modifying the exhaust a modular experience. Can I delete the rear pancake muffler, then decide later to change a catback + new muffler, then finally change the downpipe?

thanks.

[Greg Roles]

By the way, is modifying the exhaust a modular experience. Can I delete the rear pancake muffler, then decide later to change a catback + new muffler, then finally change the downpipe?

thanks.

Absolutely. You just cut and modify whatever part you want, when you want / can afford to! It's just a big steel pipe afterall...

[POLARBEAR666]

Personally I am waiting to see if APR release a "Test Pipe" downpipe for the 1.4 Twinchargers and 1.4 single turbo's to go with teh tunes.

I was also considering just getting my fav car workshop to redo the first part of my dump so that it has a highflow cat as I think this is where the majority of the gain will be.

So 2.5" with an oxygen feed in similar spot to factory and then place the cat more underneath the car a little bit rather than being just after turbo.

Though this will be my mod after APR tune so that the extra boost has extra exhaust flow.. I figure the VW ECU should be smart enough to adjust various trims to control overboosting and fuelling etc.

[Greg Roles]

Already in development!

[POLARBEAR666]

That's the exhaust for the 1.8 we only have 1.4's

[tinto]

Hahaha.
Cog, it still burns.

Polar which exhaust shop are you referring to?
I spoke to APC on Newcastle st leederville when I had my TSI.
They asked for a turbo flange or a gasket to be able to get cracking.
quoted price was around $1k for a 2.5" catted tsi downpipe.
Which is comparable to off the shelf, but they will work with you to tune the sound (presumably that is of the cat back section).

[POLARBEAR666]

Interesting tinto. APC have really good mandrel bending machines that I presume they would use to make most of the exhaust out of 1 bit and then just stick the cat into it.

I still think I would get my old car shop to do it as I know they would do exactly what I asked. Allstar Garage.

[spiff]

APC was one of those I rang and I think I may pop by to speak with them. The person I spoke with said they've never really done any 1.4 tsi jetta's before, but they have worked on a few other VWs. They carry Magnaflows.

I also emailed Joe at Golfwagen as they are the stockists for Milltek exhausts.

Then, there's APR. I think Quattro motors does them.

And finally, I spoke to and showed the jetta to Prestige exhaust and mufflers. I think they do custom jobs.