Background:
Planning to modify the setup on my GTI in a way that would require the removal of the 034 Motorsport Turbo Muffler Delete posed a concern that the pressure and temperature sensors would no longer be usable. I noticed that the aFe Power Bladerunner charge pipes are equipped with ports for WMI on both the turbo side and throttle side, pre and post intercooler.
The turbo discharge pipe from aFe Power would allow the continued use of one of the sensors currently located in the 034 TMD.
With the aFe Power charge pipes available it was easy to conduct a flow test to see how they compare with the stock GTI parts.
Test Procedure:
The charge pipes are measured for airflow using a flow bench. The pipes are tested in three separate configurations, the throttle side charge pipe only, turbo side charge pipe only, and both charge pipes joined using a silicone. The silicone hoses supplied with the aFe kit are used to join the charge pipes to the flow bench adapter and a bell mouth. The bell mouth is used to help smooth the entry of air into the charge pipes.
Note: In the image above the supplied inlet is replaced by a straight silicone coupler. This was done to measure the difference that the stock size inlet, that attaches to the stock Turbo Muffler, caused to airflow.
Test Results:
The turbo discharge pipe was tested first and produced a reading of 343 CFM @ 28″ of H2O. This result compared to the stock GTI pipe is shown on the chart:
Next tested was the throttle side charge pipe:
The measured airflow is 554 CFM @ 28″ of H2O and is again compared to the stock GTI charge air pipe:
The third configuration is the two pipes joined with a silicone coupler:
This configuration flowed 321 CFM and is compared to a similar stock pipe setup:
Conclusion:
aFe Power charge pipes were flow tested and compared to stock GTI charge pipes. The aFe Power charge pipes showed airflow gains of 18%, 21%, and 25% compared to the stock GTI components.
The kit supplied by aFe Power included a silicone coupler hose for use with the GTI stock Turbo Muffler. aFe Power produces a larger Turbo Muffler than the stock GTI uses and the silicone hose that is part of that optional aFe kit will be tested during Part II of this evaluation.
Hi Jeff from Australia
You wouldn’t believe how many people follow your page down here!
I’ve got APR stage 2, intercooler etc with the AFE stock airbox mods (thanks!).
Based on your flow calculations, in your opinion would there be any noticeable gain in changing the charge pipes to afe? It seems the intercooler is still going to be a significant restriction to getting air in and out, but every bit helps I guess?
Hi Craig, just guessing, I doubt changing the charge pipes out would be noticeable to you or me. I plan to make a comparison of the aFe, Revo (that I have installed now), and stock pipes, on the car to try and determine if there’s a measurable difference. Depending on how things go that should take place in the next month or two. aFe advertises decent gains on a dyno, I’m hoping that is the result I achieve as well.
Hi Jeff. Have you make the comparaison you are talking about aFe and Revo ? Have you the possibility to test charge pipes from HG-Motorsport too ? Thanks 🙂
I have conducted the test with the other parts of the aFe kit. I’ve not made a post with the results, I got distracted by other topics. I’ll try and post the results in the next couple of weeks. I’ve now tested about 6-7 brands of charge pipes and don’t plan to purchase any more to test. If a vendor contacts me and offers to supply a set I’d probably test in that case.
Hello. Ok thank you 🙂