Performance panel filter or CAI? Tell us what you use

[Martin]

I agree there are improvements, but they are very small
Where these small improvements become more important/noticeable is when you have modified the engine to produce more power

If you are keeping the ECU/Engine/Exhaust stock I would not waste money on a high end CAI (panel filter - yeah sure)

I updated my Octavia VRS TSI ECU to ECU stage one - the top end was worse than stock
It ran out of puff in the 5500~6000 rpm range and took a long time to rev out after that
While I have no evidence as to why this was happening,
looking a the review Dutch77 has posted, the CAI has improved MAF and boost control
(Although, the boost control with Carbonio Stage 1 looks worse that stock over 6400 rpm! Make sure you get the full kit)

To get around this I was short shifting and driving off the large torque increase that Stage1 gives
But ultimately I decided to do something about this...
I got the big exhaust down pipe, StageII ECU update and full Carbonio kit
(The difference between ECU Stage I and II is small - Stage II came as part of the exhaust upgrade package)
This totally addressed the issue and made me very happy
The engine now revs out to redline without dragging it's heals
The guys at the shop were very impressed,
they rang me to say the work was complete and "your car goes like hell now"
They even had the professional customer care to tell me to watch out in the wet
as they expected it to torque steer all over the place (it does, change driving style in the wet)

The downside for some will the noise from the CAI
During normal driving is not much different
When you open the throttle you will get whistle noises, intake noise and diverter valve noise
I also get more noise from the large exhaust down pipe
These are all modern turbo noises, not wonderful in my view (not like old style Webers and Camshaft noises)

[Weekend-Warrior]

I updated my Octavia VRS TSI ECU to ECU stage one - the top end was worse than stock
It ran out of puff in the 5500~6000 rpm range and took a long time to rev out after that
While I have no evidence as to why this was happening,

I can guess what was happening. With the intake and tune power was being delivered sooner, however it hit a wall higher in the rev range due to the restriction of the exhaust. You said it had more torque which also support this.

With the new exhaust and free flowing intake, the new tune could make the most out of your current set up.

The limiting factor now is probably either the intercooler, turbo or fuel system or a combination. Not sure what these are all rated to.

A free flowing intake will make a difference, whether you can feel it with the seat of the pants dynometer, not sure.

On our other car I bolted on a cat back exhaust just for a better sound and it made just over 10% more power atw. This power is all higher in the rev range so hard to notice on the street. The noise on the other hand...

These are all modern turbo noises, not wonderful in my view (not like old style Webers and Camshaft noises)

Agree, webbers and lumpy cams sound great, but you can't switch between tunes quite as easily when it starts raining and the cold start can be an issue.

[andymarc]

Im in two minds as to what im going to do...
On my previous cars i had the following
VXII Coomodore LS1 V8 - HSV Airbox + K&N
Ford Focus XR5 - Simota CAI

On the focus im not really sure if there was any real improvement.

I guess my issue is that most CAI kits for the TSi Motor seem to be a bit on the pricey side (Id be ok with sub 300 bucks for CAI but 925?) I think for the little gains you get its not worth it!

[Martin]

I can guess what was happening. With the intake and tune power was being delivered sooner, however it hit a wall higher in the rev range due to the restriction of the exhaust. You said it had more torque which also support this.

With the new exhaust and free flowing intake, the new tune could make the most out of your current set up.

The limiting factor now is probably either the intercooler, turbo or fuel system or a combination.

Yes - that is a nice summary completely in line with what I think is going on

The TSI fuel delivery is solid (unlike the TFSI)
I won't be chasing any more power, it's got heaps

Agree, webbers and lumpy cams sound great, but you can't switch between tunes quite as easily when it starts raining and the cold start can be an issue.

Fully agree, the wonderful thing about a turbo charged car is the fuel savings off the throttle versus performance on throttle, much wider fuel and power range than a normally aspirated car

[Dutch77]

Interesting.. I used to be in the Commodore brigade as well.

In isolation I think yes, a waste of cash, but team it up with a tune and you'll start to see some gains. I think the APR Carbonio is in the 500s, but might need the other bits and pieces? Viezu are doing their VARDesign CAIs with tunes at very good prices.. probably works out to less than 500 in a package.

[Martin]

On my previous cars i had the following
VXII Coomodore LS1 V8 - HSV Airbox + K&N
Ford Focus XR5 - Simota CAI

On the focus im not really sure if there was any real improvement.

I guess my issue is that most CAI kits for the TSi Motor seem to be a bit on the pricey side (Id be ok with sub 300 bucks for CAI but 925?) I think for the little gains you get its not worth it!

Given how much air volume a V8 can consume I can imagine the CAI did provide an improvement
I also agree it's not worth spending $925 on a CAI for a 2L stock engine
There is a cheap option - the BSH True Seal Intake $200
BSH TSI 2.0T True Seal Intake - BSH Speedshop
It's likely to be pretty noisy and you'll have to see about the frieght/delivery cost
(I'm not sure which one you would use ont he Octavia, Golf MKV or MKVI)

[Weekend-Warrior]

It might only be a 2L, but it's a 2L with a turbocharger bolted to it which increases the effective capacity of the engine.

But if it's for more performance, I'd spend the money on the exhaust first. You're likely to see larger gains, especially on a turbo.

[Martin]

YEah, have to agreed with that

[Antiplastix]

Just go with the standard filter and chuck the noise suppression grate underneath it in the bin. It blocks the air flow by about 50%.

[dArK5HaD0w]

Just go with the standard filter and chuck the noise suppression grate underneath it in the bin. It blocks the air flow by about 50%.

can it b removed?

in my previous car (astra 1. - i removed the "s-bend" inside the airbox, to give it a more straight-ish flow.