what to get first?

[tips000]

should i do a hard intake pipe kit or some exhaust work first?

which will give better improvement in mpg and power?

i want to keep my exhaust stock after the cat so should i get a downpipe or since i am leaving everything else will a test pipe get the job done just as well?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Stai...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MITS...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[Calan]

Getting a bigger downpipe will probably hurt performance if you keep the stock exhaust. You want to go from a small pipe into a larger one...not the other way around. A 2-1/2" DP into a 3" exhaust system is ideal.

And, I wouldn't bother with hard IC piping unless you are going to a more efficient intercooler. You may get marginal gains if you increase the IC piping ID and smooth out the flow path. If you are referring to the air filter and intake pipe, then yes; that would be a good investment if done properly.

If you want to spend your money wisely, follow the upgrade paths.

 

[tips000]

Getting a bigger downpipe will probably hurt performance if you keep the stock exhaust. You want to go from a small pipe into a larger one...not the other way around. A 2-1/2" DP into a 3" exhaust system is ideal.

And, I wouldn't bother with hard IC piping unless you are going to a more efficient intercooler. You may get marginal gains if you increase the IC piping ID and smooth out the flow path.

i meant the actual intake rubber hose between the maf and turbo.

and your saying test pipe will actually be better in my case?

i have been attempting to follow them. i dont really see a need for a bigger fuel pump atm. i am in stage 1 and i want to know if removing the cat will help more than the intake. and what gains i can expect to seee in mpg and power

 

[Calan]

I wasn't finished editing yet.

If you are referring to the air filter and intake pipe, then yes; that would be a good investment if done properly.

 

[tips000]

I wasn't finished editing yet.

haha you and me both .
what do you mean done properly? it seems pretty easy, bov tube and 2 sillicon couplers. is there more to it?

and you did say that the test pipe will be just as good or better than the larger down pipe? if so i can afford both

 

[j_biggz]

A test pipe will net you more of a gain than an intake hard pipe. A injen intake is about a 12hp gain and I believe that a test pipe is around 18 or more. Why are you wanting to keep your stock exhaust?

 

[Calan]

The biggest gains you'll get at the intake are from getting rid of the corrugated pipe (creates turbulance and hurts airflow), building an airbox or re-routing the intake to get colder air into the engine, and using a less restrictive filter. By "doing it properly", I mean using an intake setup that addresses all of these issues and is a quality piece that will last. I prefer to build my own, but there are several off-the-shelf ones out there that people have good luck with (Dejon and Forced Performance come to mind).

Anything that removes restrictions in the exhaust is a good thing, with the understanding that you may experience some boost creep with certain turbos. So a test pipe is better than a stock cat; a 2-1/2" or 3" back exhaust is better than the tiny stock one, etc. Just always follow the rule of going from smaller pipe into larger or at least the same size pipe. Going from large into small causes the exhaust gases to "back up" as they cool, expand, and then try to get crammed into a smaller pipe. Back pressure = bad; avoid it as much as possible on a turbo car.

 

[tips000]

A test pipe will net you more of a gain than an intake hard pipe. A injen intake is about a 12hp gain and I believe that a test pipe is around 18 or more. Why are you wanting to keep your stock exhaust?

noise and looks, i want to stay quiet and not have a "fart can" i realize that the systems are proven but people will still say shit about it as i did when i had a camaro. trying to keep mom happy when i come home late and keep the sleeper look

The biggest gains you'll get at the intake are from getting rid of the corrugated pipe (creates turbulance and hurts airflow), building an airbox or re-routing the intake to get colder air into the engine, and using a less restrictive filter. By "doing it properly", I mean using an intake setup that addresses all of these issues and is a quality piece that will last. I prefer to build my own, but there are several off-the-shelf ones out there that people have good luck with (Dejon and Forced Performance come to mind).

Anything that removes restrictions in the exhaust is a good thing, with the understanding that you may experience some boost creep with certain turbos. So a test pipe is better than a stock cat; a 2-1/2" or 3" back exhaust is better than the tiny stock one, etc. Just always follow the rule of going from smaller pipe into larger or at least the same size pipe. Going from large into small causes the exhaust gases to "back up" as they cool, expand, and then try to get crammed into a smaller pipe. Back pressure = bad; avoid it as much as possible on a turbo car.

ok well the ebay kit seems to adress this and i will be using my k&n filter instead of the cheapo one. maybe ill build a box and some ducting too.

boost creep? will that happen with my 16g? how do i avoid/ fix that?
thanks guys

 

[Sik95TSI]

I got my 3" HKS Hi-Power Catback and feel alot of difference I feel more Top End! I would definitely go with a CatBack Exhaust!!! - Ryann

 

[Calan]

You can go with a large exhaust that isn't that much (if any) louder. It all depends on which muffler you use and if you install one or two inline resonators.

For the best of both worlds, install one of these. Then you can have both a stealthy quiet exhaust and a raw screaming performance exhaust that will scare little kids and small animals.

 

[j_biggz]

If you can I would get the test pipe and the intake. I havent gotten rid of my cat yet but its on my list. I will be doing a full 3" turbo back but as for now I have an intake hard pipe and didnt see much gain honestly. I would start with the exhaust. For the record if you spend the money and dont go cheap you can get a nice performance exhaust that doesn't sound like a fart can.

 

[tips000]

You can go with a large exhaust that isn't that much (if any) louder. It all depends on which muffler you use and if you install one or two inline resonators.

For the best of both worlds, install one of these. Then you can have both a stealthy quiet exhaust and a raw screaming performance exhaust that will scare little kids and small animals.

haha if i had 200 bones to drop on just exhaust i would get a whole system and put in resonators.

If you can I would get the test pipe and the intake. I havent gotten rid of my cat yet but its on my list. I will be doing a full 3" turbo back but as for now I have an intake hard pipe and didnt see much gain honestly. I would start with the exhaust. For the record if you spend the money and dont go cheap you can get a nice performance exhaust that doesn't sound like a fart can.

i know, i personally like the sounds of some of the dsms i have seen with "cans" on them. i am not saying that the systems are garbage by any means, just not for me. i want to keep it cheap but still do it right.

 

[j_biggz]

You can only pick 2: cheap, fast, reliable

I know that cheap is what most of us can afford but if you want to do it right then you probably arent going to find much for cheap unless its used. Have you looked at the upgrade path? I have done all the free mods and am knocking out the rest of stage one.

 

[my dreamt dsm]

I got my 3" HKS Hi-Power Catback and feel alot of difference I feel more Top End! I would definitely go with a CatBack Exhaust!!! - Ryann

Agreed. Of all the mods I've invested in I think my hks hi power netted me more gains... say's so from my butt dyno. High end I can really feel. But somehow my butt tells me I lost some low end from no back pressure.
If money was a problem I would say exhaust, mbc and then intake. But everyone has their own opinion so don't no one get butt hurt from my choices, hehehe!
Although on rare occasions stock exhaust can still net you high 13's. There's a member on here with a stock exhaust tsi awd doing high 13's

 

[Calan]

But somehow my butt tells me I lost some low end from no back pressure.

It probably just seems that way since you gained some up top. Butt dynos are lying bastards.

i want to keep it cheap but still do it right.

Good luck with that...let us know how that works for you.

When it comes to buying parts or building a car: "high performance", "inexpensive", or "reliable"...pick any two.

EDIT:

Holy crap you guys type fast!

 

[tips000]

Good luck with that...let us know how that works for you.

When it comes to buying parts or building a car: "high performance", "inexpensive", or "reliable"...pick any two.

EDIT:

Holy crap you guys type fast!

its my daily driver, im not trying to build a 500hp dsm im trying to get a little more power and a few extra mpgs. what i meant by do it right is i want to do little things until i can afford to do big things... a 15 dollar test pipe is not going to matter to me if i decide to throw it away if i do get a full exhaust, but ghetto rigging some 3 inch piping together and throwing a can on it is not what i aim to do. i dont want a race car i just want a street car. no ricer ghetto shit.

i think we could all agree that for a daily driver it is not a good idea to be loud, dont get me wrong you guys with the cat backs and such still have amazing cars but i just cant afford to drop 200 on a whole system and we also all agree that just removing the cat will give some gain (correct me if i am wrong PLEASE)

 

[my dreamt dsm]

It probably just seems that way since you gained some up top. Butt dynos are lying bastards.

You know what, I never really looked at it that way You might be right! Since you said that I'll just think of it like that. Thanks!

 

[j_biggz]

When it comes to buying parts or building a car: "high performance", "inexpensive", or "reliable"...pick any two.

!

This is a very common quote because its true and should be a rule of thum
b when considering mods. Some things you can cut corners on but when it comes to the big things you want to spend smart and not go with the lowest price you can find. My intake is the same one as your link but I put it on for a better look vs. an actual gain since I bought it used from another member for a very reasonable price. If you want to net some gains spend the extra $. I would start with exhaust since that is the biggest restriction in the system to start.

 

[Sik95TSI]

You get what you pay for so it's totally up to you. my HKS Hi-Power CatBack was $600 bucks !! Sometime this week ill be ordering my Apexi N1 DP!!! But I would definitely do DP and or CatBack!!! You will love it!!! - Ryann

 

[Calan]

its my daily driver, im not trying to build a 500hp dsm im trying to get a little more power and a few extra mpgs.

Then I would just save $$$ until you can afford a full 2-1/2" turbo back exhaust with a good muffler. Not dirt cheap, but not nearly as expensive as 3 inch either. Nice upgrade over stock, and will be plenty big enough until many other areas get upgraded enough to outflow it.

just removing the cat will give some gain (correct me if i am wrong PLEASE)

And make the car louder.

 

[Sik95TSI]

its my daily driver, im not trying to build a 500hp dsm im trying to get a little more power and a few extra mpgs. what i meant by do it right is i want to do little things until i can afford to do big things... a 15 dollar test pipe is not going to matter to me if i decide to throw it away if i do get a full exhaust, but ghetto rigging some 3 inch piping together and throwing a can on it is not what i aim to do. i dont want a race car i just want a street car. no ricer ghetto shit.

i think we could all agree that for a daily driver it is not a good idea to be loud, dont get me wrong you guys with the cat backs and such still have amazing cars but i just cant afford to drop 200 on a whole system and we also all agree that just removing the cat will give some gain (correct me if i am wrong PLEASE)

After reading that don't go cheap man good stuff cost money!!!

 

[j_biggz]

^^+1

 

[tips000]

Then I would look into a nice 2-1/2" turbo back exhaust with a nice muffler. Not dirt cheap, but not nearly as expensive as 3 inch either. Nice upgrade over stock, and will be plenty big enough until many other areas get upgraded enough to outflow it.

this is what im trying to avoid. if i can get a 15 dollar test pipe and feel some gains for now thats better than spending 200+ on a 2.5 inch system and then scrapping it later because i decided i need a 3 inch... id rather throw away $15 in a year or so than 200

 

[Calan]

You aren't going to see much if anything with a $15 test pipe alone, other than a slight volume increase that you may mistake for better performance. Just save $$$ until you can do it right.

Do it right, do it once.

 

[j_biggz]

I mean its your dsm and we are all just trying to give you some insight and experience. What you wanna do is up to you. I personally think that the test pipe will be better for what your looking for but if you have the money order the pipe and the intake. you will see something for sure that way. My dsm came with a hacked air box and filter adapter so adding the intake pipe wasnt doing much other than adding some chrome under the hood for $15.

calan is absolutely right