Polo 1.6L Custom SRI Intake

[Celestine]

Great news for those of us out there that dont have a GTI but want to have some reasonable performance for a reasonable price. After scouring the internet and exhaust shops, I have finally created an SRI system for my 1.6 Polo. The total cost of this project ended up being $215, and the results - well, let's just say I think its worth it as there isnt much we can do for the 1.6 Polo's.

Below were a list of parts that were used to create this intake.
* K & N Pod Filter, RU-1480
* 2.5" 90 degree silicon bend
* 2 x 2.5" hose clamps
* 0.5m of 8mm vac tubing
* custom intake

The intake pipe is relatively straight forwards. A 2.5" straight mild steel tube with the ends stretched to 2.75" (to suit the K & N). Once this was achieved, 2 holes were drilled out to accommodate the 2 rubber grommets which were removed from the airbox along with the sensor. You will note that the original vac tubing for one of the sensors is not long enough, so thus 8mm vac tubing is used to ensure the distance is achieved. Once completed, the silicon bend was attatched to the throttle body, and clamped. Then the 2.5" straight pipe was clamped along with the pod on the end.

This project all in all should only take approximately an hour to two hours if you're doing it by yourself with all the proper equipment.

The result: faster response, and the noise it makes after hitting 3500rpm

I'll post up photos later tonight along with a sound clip. Stay tuned people!


*Thanks go out to Jon (Jon_VR6), Lachlan at 999 automotive, and Nathan at Pipeworx for providing me with the parts at discounted prices

[572]

Should be j0n_VR6 as someone else has Jon_VR6! (Who can change me to j0n_GTI?)

Sneak peak...

[SoVeReIgN]

Hey dude - You'll want to atleast create a box around that pod.

As it is right now it will just be sucking in very hot air from the engine bay into your engine. It might feel faster because its alot louder but I bet it'd make less power on a dyno on a hot day/after abit of a hit.


Must say though, it does look well done for what it is

[Celestine]

I've thought of that before. There is a heatshield of some description and another air feed pipe to go where the one old previously was (in progress). Yes, quite frequently the noise factor often makes you feel faster, but rest assured, there is a slight increase in throttle response.

I've reasoned that where the pod is, is probably the coolest place in the engine bay. How? Well, the ECU and the airbag unit are both located in the same area (hopefully meaning that it's possibly the coolest place in the entire engine bay). In actuality, the coolest place is probably on the far right hand side of the car just behind the lights, but after doing some more homework and trying to create a proper mount and taking the lower pressure feed into consideration kind of threw the idea of making a longer pipe to make use of the void space.

[MKIVF]

Hmm, must say that I personally wouldn't spend money on this system. I can appreciate that it does look better/sportier and may increase performance, but for the money I would rather just whack a K&N filter in the stock airbox. Are these even available?

Celestine, have you toyed with the idea of an exhaust? I'm considering it.

[Celestine]

MKIVF: A K & N panel filter does exist for the Polo 1.6L, but the throttle response and gains will be no where near the gains as the pod filter (http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...x?Prod=33-2920). Furthermore, the price (courtesty of Jon) will still be $115 or so after discount. So with that in mind, I decided against it and also from prior experience in modifying my previous ride (which went through several intake stages: K & N panel -> AEM CAI -> SRI), and from those findings, the SRI was the best all rounder from the three intakes I'd tried).

As for the exhaust - I'll be adding a twin tip, nothing more. Much of my findings and speaking to tuners (ie, Guy from Harding performance), all have noted that modifying the exhaust wont provide much valuable gain, but rather a desired exhaust note. I personally prefer the choice of making my exhaust sound loud when I want it to or for it to be whisper quiet(courtesy again of the previous ride that had a custom system that had a deep loud drone).

Jon has just had a go with the car with the SRI installed and he said he liked it. *Post your opinion of it Jon and be honest - I dont mind criticism.

Here are photo updates.

[572]

You'll certainly get criticism here by the looks of it, but yea I think it's fantastic. Certainly feels like it's breathing more freely, as it would, and noise it make is just fantastic, which does make it more exciting to drive! It's hard to judge performance gain when I drive a turbo everyday, but if you're happy - I'm happy . I've found panel filters to be fairly inefficient when it comes to gains vs dollars, I had one on my SP23 (only because it was $60) then ditched it in favour of a full AEM CAI. I've thought about one for the GTI, but again talking to Harding Performance, it's just not worth the money.

We've been mocking up plans this morning for a 'cool air feed' from the front, so we might tackle that stage tomorrow??

Enjoy it Justin