I can't say I am experiencing any negative effects running a Revo Intake, I am a big fan of running the OE Airbox and have done on previous cars but on the Golf R I plan on going beyond Stage 1 and so the Airbox has had to go.
I saw an Audi S3 8P in at R-Tech recently for a Stage 2 Map, Hardware wise it had a Full BCS Turbo Back Exhaust but was running the stock Airbox. It made 317BHP & 332LB/FT.
Another S3, Similar car but Stage 1 with the Pre-Cat removed and running a Revo Intake....330BHP & 338LB/FT.
Niki said that the Hardware was holding the Stage 2 powered car back, It should have been around the 340BHP mark.
I know they are different cars and not all cars perform the same.
If I could have got away with keeping the stock airbox and going Stage 2 or 2+ then I would have but it will become a Major restriction at those levels.
Is the airbox bad on the Golf R then? I've seen a few videos on shopdap.com of various MK7 upgrades and they look pretty decent!
Tbh, that is just one tuners findings and it kind of puts into debate as to whether or not a full 3" TBE is worth it if S3 #1 made less power than S3 #2 with a factory exhaust 
And our resident Mr Shoduchi has 340hp from the factory airbox And let's not forget, the difference between S3 #1 and S3 #2 is only about 5%. There would be no difference on the road between the 2 cars, but some people do rather get hung up on the peak hp numbers
Did the Stage 2 car have a Loba pump and what boost pressure is R-Tech Stage 2? Is the S3 airbox the same as the Golf one? I can't see it holding back the power that much. Something else is required on that car I'd say, but interesting info all the same!
I'd love put Racingline's intake claim of +25hp to the test on my car, but it's a £450 experiment I can't afford at the moment!
Peak numbers are of no relevance to me whatsover, It is all about how the car drives on the road. Also I would rather fit an item of Hardware even if its not required but aids flow or fuelling and gives more headroom/safety when tuning.
The Airbox on the MK6 Golf R is the same item fitted to just about all of the TFSI range, I am not a Tuner, I don't do any mapping so I cannot gather any real data and ascertain at what point the Stock Airbox becomes a restriction! Has anyone actually fitted Stage 2+ Hardware minus the Intake on a K04 powered car and done back to back Rolling Road testing?
I can only go off....
1. Rolling Road figures I see on a day to day basis at various Tuners at given Stage's and for given Hardware, Obviously I know that in an ideal world 3 cars with all the same hardware and same software should make the same numbers but in reality each car is different. Also that a car with less Hardware can make similar if not more than a car with a full shopping list of parts fitted.
You have to also factor that just because a car can make a certain amount of Power/Torque with Stock hardware fitted does not mean it is an optimum set-up and ideal long term or when driven hard.
2. By going on various tuners websites and looking at what hardware they recommend based on their many hours of R&D when developing their Software.
Findings below are based on my own car, MK6 Golf R K04....APR's website...APR’s Stage I ECU Upgrade is designed for vehicles with little to no modification. Expect higher peak numbers of 310 horsepower and 311 ft-lbs of torque, but also gains of up to +57 horsepower and +58 ft-lbs through the power band.
When running the intake specific software with a full high flow intake, more gains can be had. Expect higher peak numbers of 337 horsepower and 309 ft-lbs of torque, but also gains of up to +72 horsepower and +61 ft-lbs through the power band.Revo...Stage 2 Performance Software has been specifically developed to attain the best possible performance from the 2.0TFSI K04 with a bolt on performance exhaust and quality cold air intake. Stage 2 software is boost, fuelling and timing adjustable with slightly more flexibility than Stage 1 allowing the vehicle to be setup to suit the fuel quality, driving conditions and driver preferences. 2.0TFSI K04 Stage 2 software is specifically tuned to suit the limitations of the standard high pressure fuel pump limiting the mid-range and giving a fantastic linear power delivery.GIAC...Recommend an Intake at Stage 1.R-Tech...BYD – BWJ – BHZ – CDL Engines
MIN Requirements for STAGE 2 POWER R-Tech remap session.
Full High Flow Exhaust, Sports cat or Decat Exhaust System, High Flow Cold Air Induction Kit, 5w 40 Oil, Vpower – Tesco 99 or any 98+ Ron FuelAll tuners pretty much singing the same song that an Intake is required on a K04 powered car when going beyond Stage 1.
Not trying to teach you to suck eggs by the way!
At Stage 1 which is circa 300BHP give or take and depending on the Software and how healthy the car is then the Stock Airbox is fine, It has also been shown by others such as Shoduchi that it can go beyond that on a K04 powered car and that is great. I have made 315BHP on my last ED30 with a Pre-Cat Delete and the Stock Airbox with a Panel Filter, It is doubtful I would have gianed much by fitting an Intake at this level.
However with my current car I intend on going further with Tuning and Stage 2 is going to be the minimum which is circa 340BHP & 340LB/FT of Torque with an R-Tech Map going on what other cars have made recently so I wanted to ensure I have the best flowing set up possible. Hence why I fitted a Revo Intake.
If the Stock Airbox could support 400BHP comfortably I would without a doubt retain it and would never fit an Intake, However I don't want to be a Guinea Pig and turn up on the day with only half the recommend Hardware fitted expecting the car to make the numbers.
So I fit what my tuner recommends for the given stage of tune I am aiming for
