Improving the noise of my Mk5 GTI?

[Steve S2]

Hi,

Newbie here with a first post. I've just bought a 2007 GTI as my daily runabout. Mostly I like it but I find the noise it makes to be a bit boring - sort of a bland drone and lacking in character, even at the top end of the rev range.

What's the cheapest way for me to improve the noise it makes, without resorting to mega decibels? Will a new exhaust backbox do the trick, or am I looking at induction mods too?

Cheers

Steve

[keano]

Cheap options.

Cut a silencer out. or/and. remove the cat(s). 

[Steve S2]

Cheap options.

Cut a silencer out. or/and. remove the cat(s). 

Interesting. Cat removal = MOT failure because of emissions, so would prefer an MOT friendly fix!

I guess I'm looking at a new backbox?

[jedi-knight83]

Welcome...

I've got a Milltek CAT back exhaust with the middle silencer deleted. Its hardly going to win any awards for sounding amazing but its a nice improvement over standard.

I'm keeping my eye open for a bigger bore downpipe and replacement CATs which will hopefully make it sound a bit better again.

The twintake also gives it a nice whooshing induction noise. Other than that there isnt much you can do. Its not a very noisy engine..

[Tamiyoman]

I cant see a new back box making any/much difference, for diff note your better off with either cat back exhaust or ideally turbo back exhaust with race CAT (200 cell, passes MOT fine), lots of diff exhausts to choose from if you look around, budget £450-550 for cat back or £1000-2000 for Turbo back (Milltek are around £1100 for turbo back).

Milltek (GTI Forum favourite it seems) IM getting one of these for my GTI as they sound better than stock but NOT louder (if you got for resonated anyway, if you want the boy racer noise go NON-resonated!).

BCS (same guy that ran blueflame) well respected and used to have a blueflame on my 1st MK4 GTI.

MV Sport sound good and look good although only heard about them around 3 weeks back, similar price to Millteks.

Jetex

Magnex

Supersprint (lots of money required, german shops are selling them at £2200 for turbo back  

As Jedi already stated its not a noisy engine unless you go NON res (deleted middle silencer) otherwise its a quiet car (just what I like!).

[PSW]

Ask for money for crimbo.... Then save a bit more then phone nige at BCS and get a tbe. Best bang for your buck... You can't really feel the concept of the noise from within but peeps have said it sounds awesome... Keep saving plus it's better than the soggy nappy back box milltek 

[jedi-knight83]

one question... what the hell is 'TBE'? I always see it mentioned in relation to exhausts but I cant for the life of me work out what it is.

[lee_]

one question... what the hell is 'TBE'? I always see it mentioned in relation to exhausts but I cant for the life of me work out what it is.

Turbo Back Exhaust 

[jedi-knight83]

ahhhh... makes perfect sense now.

[Jaywoo-GTI]

Easiest and cheapest way is to do a suitcase box delete pipe,


As the GTI exhaust isnt restrictive (other than the cat) this is a option to get some more sound from a GTI, My friend had it done on his and it sounded loverly.

[Tamiyoman]

Keep saving plus it's better than the soggy nappy back box milltek 

That saggy nappy sounding milltek looks to give same performance as BCS for only a little more money with a fair less noise, hence my personal choice, heard many diff zorsts and milltek res sounds quietest so far, just what I need for Stealth 

[ktlstar]

Is it not possible to fit a decat/sport car to a standard cat back exhaust ?

[Hedge]

R32 engine transplant. 

[Steve S2]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm not interested in making the car sound louder, just better. It's just a bit characterless and drony at the moment!

[Weston]

Sound is very subjective, if you're able to meet anyone and have a proper listen to what they have that might help