Hi Folks, as promised plse find below my write-up for my experience with BCS yesterday (Saturday):-
Installed
BCS Powervalve Full Exhaust System and Forge Twintake
Yes, believe it or not, i had both the above installed yesterday on the same day!! After much deliberation, i opted for the Powervalve Sport, slightly louder than the Prestige by all accounts at both bottom and top end speeds! As i was also getting the Twintake fitted by them, i was (in my head) a tad concerned that the noise levels in the cabin would be deafening, so yes, i was taking a gamble on this one!! I arrived at their premises on a pi*s-wet Saturday morning about 09:40, so a bit late, met Dave and basically left him to it after a few initial questions! My partner and i then went off into St Helens for some brunch and were advised to make the journey back to them at about 13:00; it was painful leaving her, the car i mean! Add to that it was the first Twintake they had fitted to any car, so i my heart was in my hands during this time, constantly checking my phone for missed calls, etc!! Needless to say, no call, nothing, so we arrived back at their workshop just after 13:00, and there she was, up on the ramps, engine running, and it was at that point i also met Nige, so both he and Dave talked me through what they had done; all i witnessed at this point was my gleaming shiny new TBE, so i knew nothing of what was to be unleashed!!
Once off the ramps and parked up outside, a general discussion ensued about all matters, and, again, there was a lot of caution apparently in my voice, although my partner thought that if this car was now as good as they were claiming, that i'd end up dumping her (silly woman, lol!!)
Dave then took me for a test-drive in my car, and i'm not sure if anyone has ever experienced this, but if you are the passenger in your own car and it's been driven harder than you have ever driven it, your pupils dilate, your heart speeds up, especially as it was still bloody pouring with rain!! The first thing i picked up on was the Twintake, i can only liken it to Darth Vader on amphetamines, but a beautiful sound still to my ears, actually quieter than i what i had feared!! Then we came onto some open dual carriageway and Dave opened up, and once the boot was firmly planted, the exhaust came into its own!! All i can say is what a difference and what an almighty sound/rumble! This revolutionary new Powervalve is as steady/quiet as you'll get when cruising, but, as i said, once you put your foot down, all hell breaks loose!!
We then parked up again, all i wanted to do at this point was pay and get my hands on my beast to be honest and drive back to Doncaster! After formalities were completed, i was handed back my key and off we went!!! I was in 7th Heaven, what an array of sounds and what a new car i had!! Add to that i could feel a huge increase in performance!! This of course could be partly down to my new Twintake, but my Powervalve just topped it all off!! As i previously mentioned, just cruise and it's like driving with all stock parts, but start changing gears and wow!! Now, not only do i have much better performance, but low end torque has dramatically increased, and unlike some people on this forum, i also love the air intake!!
POSITIVES
I feel like the fun has been put back into my GTi! As things stand, i just have a Bluefin Stage 1, so even if i stopped right now, i'd be a happy man, everything seems to have come together! But no, booked in with R Tech Tuesday morning for a custom Stage 2 map, i feel this is necessary if i'm not only to get the best from these 2 big mods, but also to protect me (i hope) from future potential problems!
NEGATIVES
Only one negative really and that is, i cant seem to rest for long before i want to go out again for a 'spirited' drive!!!
My 8 year old son has been out with me in it a few times over the past 24 hours and he continually makes me go through the tunnels in the town centre, up and down, up and bloody down!! When i have had the chance, i've entered in 2nd gear and planted the foot, the noise and echo is deafening, not in a chav way but in a sexy way (well i can hope), but seriously my car has been transformed BIG-TIME!! He has gone on record in saying that my new exhaust, along with Twintake, is much better than when i had my Bluefin installed!! My partner, and i quote, said 'the sound was orgasmic' when she stood and watched me take off in 2nd gear from her house down a hill!!
I have never had a Milltek so i can't make comparisons i'm afraid, nor can i with any other modified air intake, but all i know is that my GTi can be enjoyed now again, and i'm hoping on Tuesday the final piece of the jigsaw can be placed!! I'm hoping that a custom stage 2 map can produce more than a Bluefin Stage 1, well i'll soon find out!
To conclude then, the Powervalve and Twintake have not only met my expectations (especially the Powervalve), they have far exceeded them, so seriously folks, individual budgets allowing, go and get one installed at BCS, i promise you, you won't be disappointed!!! It's good to know there are enthusiasts around, Dave and Nige, like us who can bring a product along that broadens our smiles and allows us to enjoy our cars even more than we once thought!!
Another thank you also goes to Statlers for installing a new Rev G DV, pcv and cam follower on Friday! I hope on Tuesday night to follow one up to R Tech too!!
I hope my account has not bored you to death folks, i felt i just needed to share my excitement with you all!!
Next, well, new brakes needed me thinks, i will have some Cupra sets fitted very soon (2nd hand i hasten to add) if they fit onto my 17" wheels!
That will conclude my mods, HE SAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andrew
