Lucas' Golf R

[Lucas_R]

I keep the 1st post up to date with things done etc, although in saying that - i havent updated it for a few weeks.

Ive had 3x different dump pipes (trying to find my idea of the "perfect" one) and have settled on the SPM dump pipe because its nicely made, stainless, and has good fitment.

The only real negative for the SPM dump pipe was a lack of a resonated option, and it sounded pretty crappy to be honest, so i starting looking for a resonator to quieten it down and deepen the tone. Im also not a huge fan of v band joins, but they are better than the 'slip fit' joins alot of other brands use which always leak.

Stock catback but with 4" tips to replace the stock tips.

So basically, the following:
- SPM dump pipe with resonator added
- Stock catback
- Different exhaust tips

[tigger73]

Ive had 3x different dump pipes (trying to find my idea of the "perfect" one) and have settled on the SPM dump pipe because its nicely made, stainless, and has good fitment.

The only real negative for the SPM dump pipe was a lack of a resonated option, and it sounded pretty crappy to be honest, so i starting looking for a resonator to quieten it down and deepen the tone. Im also not a huge fan of v band joins, but they are better than the 'slip fit' joins alot of other brands use which always leak.

Stock catback but with 4" tips to replace the stock tips.

So basically, the following:
- SPM dump pipe with resonator added
- Stock catback
- Different exhaust tips

OK so do you mind me asking what the spec on the Adrenalin resonator you chose and how you decided which option to go with (I'm guessing there's a trade-off).

I've seen that they have a couple of different versions on their website with options on length also. I'm guessing the longer the resonator the quieter the exhaust??? And obviously you have to match pipe diameters so you can weld it into your existing system.

Anyway be interested to hear the before and after clips.

Not surprised really that you didn't like the non-res exhaust - I think most people get sick of them pretty quickly. Going for a spin through the hills they are great but as this is only 5% of my driving it's 95% bad (city commute) and 5% brilliant which doesn't really work for me.

[Lucas_R]

OK so do you mind me asking what the spec on the Adrenalin resonator you chose and how you decided which option to go with (I'm guessing there's a trade-off).

This is the one i got: http://www.adrenalinr.com/productdet...?productID=530

Their standard lengths were all too long, so i spoke to them and asked about the possibility of ordering a shorter version. They said "no problem, we actually make the mufflers so we can make them any length you like". So i measured up under the car and figured around a 9-10inch resonator would be about right. So i ordered a 10inch long version. The diameter is 3inch so it matches the pipework of my dump pipe.

As for trade off's, you might lose a few hp due to the slight restriction, but it will be minimal anyway and didnt bother me. FWIW the car feels no different to before, apart from being quieter and sounding nicer.

[tigger73]

This is the one i got: AdrenalinR - Performance products - Resonators - Louvre Baffle

Their standard lengths were all too long, so i spoke to them and asked about the possibility of ordering a shorter version. They said "no problem, we actually make the mufflers so we can make them any length you like". So i measured up under the car and figured around a 9-10inch resonator would be about right. So i ordered a 10inch long version. The diameter is 3inch so it matches the pipework of my dump pipe.

As for trade off's, you might lose a few hp due to the slight restriction, but it will be minimal anyway and didnt bother me. FWIW the car feels no different to before, apart from being quieter and sounding nicer.

And by the looks of things it couldn't have been any longer if you tried. I'm guessing all resonators are going to cause some loss... but if they're using them on race cars it can't be much otherwise they wouldn't put them on.

OK I think I've convinced myself

[Lucas_R]

I'm interested to know if you had a slip-on? The only reason I ask, is I currently have the Akrapovic slip-on Catback and it not only made the GTI sound deep and with a groan that gets me every time but it is such a well built system, I haven't had a single leak and I tend to frequent the track these days. Having said that though, I will get the workshop to check it again. Piece of mind

Probably fair to say that the Akra would be in a different league for quality, price and fitment to the likes of the more mainstream UK and US brands - but if you look around your pipe joins im sure you will see some black soot where there are small leaks. V bands aren't perfect either, but i find them much more user friendly, especially from a DIY point of view. My first dump pipe was a Scorpion (UK brand) which was a slip on system, much the same as how the Milltek's are setup. If you look here at this Viezu exhaust, you will see what i mean: EOI 3 inch VARdesign / Viezu turbo back exhaust

My Miltek is unfort (for the price paid!) slip on, and, while the leak isn't audible, you can see subtle grey marks near a couple of joins= minor exhaust obviously getting out at times.
It took me a couple of weeks to get used to the sound when the stock dump pipe (with cats and that thin resonator) was replaced with the Milltek DP the other month (and I had the resonated cat-back section fitted previously for probably 8 months). I actually love the sound now finally, but it was a BIG change to having both stock dp resonator and Milltek mid/post-cat section resonator. The sound is definitely quite different, and understandable for those running stock rear muffler that once a dp is fitted,a resonator is a necessary addition!

But I noticed when I let it rip in the city the other day (well, near Redfern station but still surrounded by buildings and thus lots of my own sound reflecting back) and with the windows down, that I suspect it will make pedestrians jump under full throttle (boost up, rear valve obviously open)..... but inside the car with windows up, quiet bliss

I don't have dsg, so can often give it plenty in the lower gears..since the dp was fired and driving to Mascot a few days a week, economy hit an all time high of 14.5l/100 for the whole 25km journey on more than one occasion but driving to Newy last week, 8.9...

Good to know you have grown to like the sound now Tony - i remember you said you weren't too happy with it a few months ago when the DP went on.

And by the looks of things it couldn't have been any longer if you tried. I'm guessing all resonators are going to cause some loss... but if they're using them on race cars it can't be much otherwise they wouldn't put them on.

OK I think I've convinced myself

Yeh 10 inch was as big as was going to fit due to the design of the DP, which sweeps up to join the cat back section. Any longer, and it would have been getting mighty close to the tailshaft and heat shields. Depending on the design of your DP, you may be able to get a longer version (if you wanted). Has the Tig got a resonator at all? Or is it just the rear muffler and nothing else (i know you have a Viezu DP which is non res).

[tigger73]

Yeh 10 inch was as big as was going to fit due to the design of the DP, which sweeps up to join the cat back section. Any longer, and it would have been getting mighty close to the tailshaft and heat shields. Depending on the design of your DP, you may be able to get a longer version (if you wanted). Has the Tig got a resonator at all? Or is it just the rear muffler and nothing else (i know you have a Viezu DP which is non res).

The Tig has a suitcase resonator in the rear section of the exhaust along with rear muffler/tips as standard. Both the stock and Viezu DP are non-resonated. I have recently had a new cat-back section installed (rear muffler and tips), however without resonator. So now from the turbo I have a 200 cell high flow cat running through to a smaller rear muffler.

System sounds great when you're gunning it but for normal driving is loud and blarey (particularly with a DSG and slow gear changes on moderate throttle).

So I'm either looking at getting a new resonated DP or doing someting similar to what you've done and fit a resonator into the existing DP. I'll ahve to check clearances as you mention it's a 4" diameter on the resonator so will need more clearance from the tailshaft.

When you had the resonator fitted did the workshop take your DP off the car to weld up?? My understanding with the R and Tig AWD system is that you have to take the tailshaft out to install the DP. Just trying to get an idea on how big a job it is to weld in the resonator (sounds simple but may be a little more involved).