Which of these mods would you do?

[Bkord123]

Hey folks. New to the GTI. Based on what I've read on these forums, I've narrowed it down to the following choices for me:

1. P-Flo intake and APR Stage 1.

2. P-Flo intake and 42dd DP.

I know a lot of people might say go to stage 2 ECU, but, and this might not be popular, I don't want/need all that extra power! Plus I've read that the more power the more wear on the clutch, and I'd like to limit that downside as well.

Oh yeah, I have a 2012 6spd.

[kootenaydub]

Downpipe without Stage 2 is a waste of money. So it only leaves one option P-Flo + APR Stage 1.

But the best option is DP + Stage 2. You can switch it back into stock mode if you don't want the power all the time, but you will.....

[csmith1957]

Just curious why you would want a dp if you don't plan to go stage 2?

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Bkord123]

Just curious why you would want a dp if you don't plan to go stage 2?

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

I read in a couple places that say our cars' turbos are essentially suffocated because the gases hit a "brick wall" because of the exhaust diameter restrictions. My impression was that it would be an improvement in and of itself, no?

[Crozarius]

Just do a pre-cat delete if you're only going stage 1. It'll mess with the start up emissions and occasionally throw codes from what I've read, but should resolve your concerns.

[csmith1957]

I read in a couple places that say our cars' turbos are essentially suffocated because the gases hit a "brick wall" because of the exhaust diameter restrictions. My impression was that it would be an improvement in and of itself, no?

On a stock engine though, the benefits are minimal if at all. You'll gain some hp, but lose torque. You'll also lose some power at lower rpms.

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Bkord123]

On a stock engine though, the benefits are minimal if at all. You'll gain some hp, but lose torque. You'll also lose some power at lower rpms.

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

Oh ok. So an intake with a dp and nothing else doesn't make a lot of sense.

[csmith1957]

Oh ok. So an intake with a dp and nothing else doesn't make a lot of sense.

It only makes sense if your goal is to create noise and no extra power. I ran my car like that for months, but with the intention of going stage 2. I just didn't have the funds for it at the time, but wanted to get my supporting mods done.

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Bkord123]

Yeah, I definitely don't want that. What did it sound like before stage 2? Do any of these mods make our cars sound like those awful Civics with the cannon-size exhaust mods? The ones that are obnoxiously loud even when they're going 4 mph?

[csmith1957]

Yeah, I definitely don't want that. What did it sound like before stage 2? Do any of these mods make our cars sound like those awful Civics with the cannon-size exhaust mods? The ones that are obnoxiously loud even when they're going 4 mph?

I have a pre-tune video of my downpipe that I can post later. I think it sounds good, not at all like a ricer. You won't notice a difference at idle or low rpms. It doesn't get loud until you really get on it. No drone at all if that's a concern.

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Bkord123]

Ricer! haha. Yes, that's it!!!! if you can post if, that'd be cool.

[csmith1957]

Ricer! haha. Yes, that's it!!!! if you can post if, that'd be cool.

Ok, will do.

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Kraken_Up]

But the best option is DP + Stage 2. You can switch it back into stock mode if you don't want the power all the time, but you will.....

So you can get your car chipped and then be able to switch back and forth roadside? Am I reading this right? /endstupid

[Bkord123]

Like I mentioned in my op, I know the need for a stronger clutch increases with the ecu stages and I'd prefer to limit that, but at the same time increase hp and torque more than stock.

[csmith1957]

So you can get your car chipped and then be able to switch back and forth roadside? Am I reading this right? /endstupid

Yes, that is correct. It's magic!

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Bkord123]

When APR does an ECU tune, do they put the car on a dyno to verify the numbers?

[csmith1957]

When APR does an ECU tune, do they put the car on a dyno to verify the numbers?

No. You'll feel a difference, but you should also get a boost gauge to see if you're hitting higher than stock numbers. That's also a good way to determine a boost leak and control your gas mileage.

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Bkord123]

I'm a researcher, so I emailed 44dd about the dp. Here's the reply when I asked if just the dp alone, with no other mods, makes a difference: There absolutely is, you will see gains of ~15-20 WHP & TQ by replacing your factory exhaust with ours with our high flow cats. The two factory cats are very restrictive and when you open up to a larger pipe with a single high flow cat you are freeing up the exhaust flow significantly. You will see an increase in spool as well as less back pressure to make more power.

Thoughts?

[csmith1957]

I ran their dp with no tune and felt no gains. Never got a dyno, so I can't give you numbers. That's my experience. I can't comment on what a sales person says about the product they sell. 42 is usually pretty straight up, but business is business.

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Bkord123]

I know what you mean. I have to keep in mind they are selling it. FWIW, I also emailed APR. I'll post when they reply.

[csmith1957]

I know what you mean. I have to keep in mind they are selling it. FWIW, I also emailed APR. I'll post when they reply.

Haha they're gonna try to sell you their tune of course.

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Bkord123]

I know! I'm a free agent for the highest bidder. Make me a believer!!

[csmith1957]

Dp with no tune indefinitely is a road that's rarely traveled. I honestly believe you will be disappointed with the results.

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Bkord123]

I mean, even if the numbers are higher, if you're saying you felt no improvement, that's important. I started this thread because I was somewhere else on this forum and someone was saying to do the dp instead of the tune and I think a couple people were like "right on!"

[csmith1957]

Dp INSTEAD of tune? Interesting. Can you find that thread again?

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Bkord123]

Damn, I KNEW you would ask that! Give me a little time because I have to dig it up. Christ, now I'll look like a moron if I remember it wrong. haha

[csmith1957]

It could have been recommended to wait on the tune until AFTER the dp and go straight to stage 2. That's pretty popular advice.

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Crozarius]

It could have been recommended to wait on the tune until AFTER the dp and go straight to stage 2. That's pretty popular advice.

^this

Also, I sat with my car for about a year before I got a tune. I wanted one but never pulled the trigger, and just kept reading all I could about my car. In the end, I should have done the tune asap. The car is even more fun to drive now. And, you dont have to Drive WOT all the time to enjoy it. You get extra power that's there when you want it or need it, and a down pipe won't ever give it to you.

As for faster spooling, I'll reiterate and suggest you google GTI pre cat delete. Save yourself some money and keep your stock DP if you don't plan to go stage 2.

Basically, you bash out the cat that is right at the front of the stock DP. That's the big wall on the stock system,and it is there for start up emissions.

[csmith1957]

As promised:

[capt211]

you will see gains of ~15-20 WHP & TQ by replacing your factory exhaust with ours

See what they did there?

[Bkord123]

I give up. I cannot find the post I was referencing which just killed my credibility. I might be remembered it incorrectly and it was probably to do the dp then go to stage 2. I'm still going to look, but I have about 10 tabs open and other forums are up there too, so who knows. Great info, Crozarius. Thank you. I'll look at the pre-cat delete. Does that cause any CELs or issues with state inspections?

[Bkord123]

See what they did there?

This cracked me up. Good one. Here's APR's reply: The downpipe by itself can generate about 10-15bhp. However, with the APR tune it can generate closer to 40-45 bhp.

It's almost like they're trying to sell me something...

[Bkord123]

As promised:

Nice! Thanks for posting. This does not sound like a ricer, just like you said. It's so much throatier.

Right now my windows are getting tinted. YEAH!!!!!!!

[Crozarius]

Does that cause any CELs or issues with state inspections?

I've read that it can cause the car to throw a CEL occasionally(Getting a spacer might fix this?). But, as long as your state doesn't have start up emission test, like I hear Europe has, you should be fine. Just make sure the car is nice and warm before you take it in.

Here is a thread on it. I know it's for the mk5, but the mk6 one is hiding on the googles from me at the moment: pre-cat delete

[JBrucculeri]

The very first thing I bought for my gti was a DP from USP Motorsport. I bought that with the intention of going APR Stage 2 shortly after. A kind of prep like ctsmith mentioned above. It did trigger a code and my check engine light has been on ever since. Hasn't been much of a bother though. I can't tell if I've lost torque or gained hp because of the DP. But I have liked the sound a lot. Its a bit rougher than stock but not growly. (I do want a catback eventually though) I just installed a p-flo intake today and it feels to pull a lil more in the lower rpm ranges. So if you REALLY don't want stage 2 then don't worry about a DP and get an intake and stage 1. Save up for an exhaust or DP in the future. And that's my very long and drawn out .02

[Coltello]

I don't understand aspects of this. How do you know you only want Stage 1 power and not Stage 2 power if you don't have either? Why would someone want 40 extra hp, but not 65? Extra hp is not like noise or volume. I can understand wanting an exhaust that's a little bit louder, but not too loud. But that just doesn't translate to me for hp, at least until you're talking about ridiculous numbers (I understand not wanting to put 600 hp into a FWD GTI).

Just get the dp and the stage 2 tune. Then you don't have to worry about CEL's and you'll have the extra power when you need it, if you need it. You don't have to do quarter mile runs and power slides everyday on your way to work ya know. You can drive like an old Asian lady if you want. You'll be happy you got the tune.

[csmith1957]

He doesn't want to wear out the clutch.

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Bkord123]

I don't understand aspects of this. How do you know you only want Stage 1 power and not Stage 2 power if you don't have either? Why would someone want 40 extra hp, but not 65? Extra hp is not like noise or volume. I can understand wanting an exhaust that's a little bit louder, but not too loud. But that just doesn't translate to me for hp, at least until you're talking about ridiculous numbers (I understand not wanting to put 600 hp into a FWD GTI).

Just get the dp and the stage 2 tune. Then you don't have to worry about CEL's and you'll have the extra power when you need it, if you need it. You don't have to do quarter mile runs and power slides everyday on your way to work ya know. You can drive like an old Asian lady if you want. You'll be happy you got the tune.

Well the first thing is the cost. A tune and dp is much more expensive than a tune and intake. That's a consideration for me because I'm planning audio upgrades. Christina is right about the clutch too. I want to limit wear on it. Also, I don't trust myself. Surely I can't be alone in this! I want more power but not too much more. And regarding the last part, aren't ALL Asians terrible drivers??!??

[csmith1957]

I don't think the hp/tq difference between stage one and stage two is gonna make a difference in wear and tear on your clutch. Just throwing that out there...

So it sounds like you're set on the tune. Now the decision is intake and stay stage one or dp and go stage two. The price difference between tune and dp and tune and intake if you go with 42 is about $200-300 depending on whether you go catted or not. Off the top of my head I don't know the increase in power from stage one to stage two, but you will have to decide if that difference is worth the extra money to you. You should talk to Teach. He has a six speed mkvi that was stage one for awhile. Then he got a dp and intake and went stage two. He could probably tell you how big of a difference it made and how his clutch is holding up.

Sent from that Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

[Bkord123]

I looked at the dps, and I live in the northeast, so I'm thinking I'd have to add the ceramic coating option. Teach? Who he?

What about the BSH intake? Any opinions on that? It looks cool and I think it comes with both intake stages.