VARdesign TBE review needed

[Brick]

Hi Boltor, yep the hood is a VAR one. Not sure who actually makes it. Comes with a couple of vents which is something I am keen on to reduce engine bay, and therefore intake, temperatures. You have to use all of the hardware from your existing hood when mounting it.

[Machine]

I've been running the VARdesign 3" bimodal TBE for 2 weeks now. Stay tuned...(no pun intended)

[Bakks]

I loaded the Viezu tune on Christmas eve and I've got a VARdesign TBE and intake ready to go on a GTI in a couple of weeks.

[Machine]

Has anyone yet installed the VARDesign CAI, VARDesign 3" DP, and is running vMotorsport / vRace?

keen to hear about any impressions of the three mods together...

thanks

I have the VARdesign 3" bimodal TBE, Viezu race tune and VARdesign CAI, however the CAI is mated to the stock engine cover with the OEM filter removed (no VAR piping yet).

First and foremost, I love the sound the car makes. I had unplugged the Soundaktor when I had the stock exhaust, which made the car VERY quiet. I could only hear intake whistles and the exhaust. Now, the thing is loud again and I'm afraid to plug the Soundaktor back in!

The exhaust makes a massive woosh on WOT and when you back off, a few pops and crackles. After the woosh is a ROAR. The car feels faster as well. It feels smoother during acceleration, without any spikes. It just pulls linearly to redline. I haven't timed it, but I'll do that once the CAI piping is in. With just the remap, the car was 5.5s on the P3 and low 14's on the 1/4.

The CAI without the piping doesn't sound particularly distinct; there is a difference to stock--not louder, just lower pitched and seems like it's sucking a bit more air. I haven't noticed a significant difference in intake temps according to the P3.

Now, having said how much I love it, my partner hates it. It sounds "broken", "aggressive", "annoying", etc. She wants the old one back. I believe that a remote switcher can be installed in the car to either turn off the bimodal system, keep it on automatic or open it right up. I'm waiting on such a device, because I would like to have it for when I chauffeur bosses, employers, high-profile executives...you know.

In 6th gear on the motorway, anywhere around 3000rpm, the exhaust will start to open up again, even if you're keeping a constant speed. This results in a drone. The pitch goes up as you speed up, so find the hum you like and watch out for cops.

Anyway, not much more to say. Check out these pics and clips at the bottom:

CAI

Stock

TBE 1

TBE 2

Tail 1

Tail 2

Tail 3