Air Filter Mod - Yay or Nay?

[_Jacobm]

Hey guys,

Been doing a bit of research over the past few weeks on an air filter replacement for my new 77tsi Polo MY13.5. Already done a rear muff delete and I'm looking for something else before I do a tune up next year, need some mods to fill in the time! So the air filter replacement, I've read many mixed arguments on the K&N filters. Is there any point even replacing the air filter? Will there be much performance/aural difference when replacing the filter? You guys are much more experienced as I am, so it'd be great if you guys could let me know if this mod is worth it, or should I consider something else?

Thanks a lot guys, loving my Polo too... just had our one month yesterday .

Jacob

[gavs]

Will sound better, with no performance gain and worse filtration. Keep it factory and wait for the tune is my theory

[nomadx38]

Will sound better, with no performance gain and worse filtration. Keep it factory and wait for the tune is my theory

Pretty much what Gavs said except forget about sound as well, without a tune and usuing a stock air box it is 100% pointless (unless you really care about ~1kw / 5nm if that)

They are only really good for tunes that really require the extra air that goes with the increased boost.

[_Jacobm]

Thanks for the advice Gavs and nomad; so what kind of performance mods do you reckon are suitable for now? Or should I just wait it out for a tune and work on cosmetic mods?

[nomadx38]

Thanks for the advice Gavs and nomad; so what kind of performance mods do you reckon are suitable for now? Or should I just wait it out for a tune and work on cosmetic mods?

On a 77tsi, there are very few performance mods - a tune is probably the only decent and substantial one. A list of mechanical mods for a TSI would be:

•Stage 1 tune
•Forge BOV (for sound only and sounds pretty poor at best on stock boosts)
•Forge CAI (which is designed more poorly than the standard air box due to the battery position)
•springs / coilovers
•exhaust kit (quite hard to come by and not really plug and play)
•better brake pads (a few big brake kits are available but the price doesn't justify it)

As you can see - quite a small list compared to a GTI which you can get new intercoolers, coil packs, stage 2 ECU, many turbo back exhausts, bigger turbos and really well designed CAI's etc.

For me mostly it's cosmetic (lights - Xenons/Black rears, chrome highlights, roof wrap, front/side lip, RCD510)

springs (to get the look right and slightly better cornering)

remsa pads and high temp fluid for slightly better brakes

Muffler delere for more noise and coming after the warrantee is out in August is a ECU tune up to 100kw.

That will be about it for my car - not that I could do much else

[_Jacobm]

On a 77tsi, there are very few performance mods - a tune is probably the only decent and substantial one. A list of mechanical mods for a TSI would be:

•Stage 1 tune
•Forge BOV (for sound only and sounds pretty poor at best on stock boosts)
•Forge CAI (which is designed more poorly than the standard air box due to the battery position)
•springs / coilovers
•exhaust kit (quite hard to come by and not really plug and play)
•better brake pads (a few big brake kits are available but the price doesn't justify it)

As you can see - quite a small list compared to a GTI which you can get new intercoolers, coil packs, stage 2 ECU, many turbo back exhausts, bigger turbos and really well designed CAI's etc.

For me mostly it's cosmetic (lights - Xenons/Black rears, chrome highlights, roof wrap, front/side lip, RCD510)

springs (to get the look right and slightly better cornering)

remsa pads and high temp fluid for slightly better brakes

Muffler delere for more noise and coming after the warrantee is out in August is a ECU tune up to 100kw.

That will be about it for my car - not that I could do much else

Thanks for that man, very helpful. I thought that there wouldn't be many mods I could do! Am very impressed with the rear muffler delete, so I think it'll just be the tune and the coilovers and that'll do me quite nicely. Got any pics of your car I could have a look at, I'm assuming you got a 77tsi as well?

[nomadx38]

There are some older photos of my car in the visual appreciation thread - I won't have a finalised photo for a couple of weeks. (and yeah 77tsi)

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f128/official-6r-polo-visual-appreciation-thread-73108-10.html

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f128/official-6r-polo-visual-appreciation-thread-73108-45.html

just scroll down, you will find my car


I have H&R 35/55 springs installed currently but I have ordered some 25/40 because the other sit to low for my liking (too much of a commodore look)

Roof wrap is getting done in a couple of weeks once my spoiler arrives. Got new pads and rotors to go on but waiting until I'm at the wear limit on the pads to swap them over so I get the most out of them.

[MrDeathLad]

Roof wrap is getting done in a couple of weeks once my spoiler arrives. Got new pads and rotors to go on but waiting until I'm at the wear limit on the pads to swap them over so I get the most out of them.

What spoiler are you getting Nomadx38?

[nomadx38]

What spoiler are you getting Nomadx38?

It will be similar to yours MrDeathLad - yours been the genuine VW accessory one from the brochure.

Electronics, Cars, Fashion, Collectibles, Coupons and More | eBay

This one is similar but not exactly the same, not as streamlined and the middle support is thicker. But then again for 145$ Painted and delivered I can't complain, if its crap I won't use it.

The genuine VW on the other hand was quoted at 800$ - quite an investment though its painted and fitted. Still way too much to spend on a spoiler.

I'm hoping to have the top / back of the car look like this, just a gloss instead of what looks like a matte black roof

Caractere Side Skirts For Vw Polo | eBay

I'm up for suggestions of other types providing they are not too expensive, seen some nice carbon fibre ones but doesn't match the theme of my car.

[amazeer]

This one is similar but not exactly the same, not as streamlined and the middle support is thicker. But then again for 145$ Painted and delivered I can't complain, if its crap I won't use it.

The genuine VW on the other hand was quoted at 800$ - quite an investment though its painted and fitted. Still way too much to spend on a spoiler.

I dont know why someone hasnt made replicas of the factory body kit. If they dont care about infringing copyright on wheels why not plastic?

[MrDeathLad]

It will be similar to yours MrDeathLad - yours been the genuine VW accessory one from the brochure.

Electronics, Cars, Fashion, Collectibles, Coupons and More | eBay

This one is similar but not exactly the same, not as streamlined and the middle support is thicker. But then again for 145$ Painted and delivered I can't complain, if its crap I won't use it.

The genuine VW on the other hand was quoted at 800$ - quite an investment though its painted and fitted. Still way too much to spend on a spoiler.

I'm hoping to have the top / back of the car look like this, just a gloss instead of what looks like a matte black roof

Caractere Side Skirts For Vw Polo | eBay

I'm up for suggestions of other types providing they are not too expensive, seen some nice carbon fibre ones but doesn't match the theme of my car.

mine was 755, added at delivery

[amazeer]

The story I got told by my dealer (and it could very well be just a story - who knows) is that VWA sell the parts to dealers at 2 different wholesale prices. Stock bought in to sit on a parts shelf is dearer than stock bought in to go on a new car. They dont get delivered painted, the dealer gets it painted. Had to wait an extra week to pick mine up. Was a long week staring at the car in the pre-delivery yard.

The spoiler is the cheapest piece btw, probably because its the one least likely to get damaged on gutters and driveways.

[symes1515]

Will sound better, with no performance gain and worse filtration. Keep it factory and wait for the tune is my theory