034 Carbon Fiber Intake Flow Test

Background:

An aftermarket intake option for the Mk7 GTI is the 034 Motorsport Carbon Fiber X34 Intake.

034 claims that the intake is “the ultimate induction solution for your Audi or Volkswagen.” Curious to learn how the “ultimate induction system” compares with other intake options the intake was flow tested using a flow bench.

Test Procedure:

First the flow bench calibration is checked and then the 034 Carbon Fiber intake has a generic style turbo inlet elbow connected to it. Then the intake system is attached to the flow bench using an adapter that simulates the entry to the IS20/IS38 turbocharger.

The flow bench is operated at a test depression of 28″ of H2O and the airflow through the intake at that pressure drop is recorded.

Test Results:

At the test depression the 034 Motorsport X34 Carbon Fiber Intake flows 380 CFM. This result is shown in the chart along with other intakes available for the Mk7 GTI.

Test Variations:

A few variations to the intake configuration were tested to determine the affect on airflow measurement.

The first variation was the addition of a modified GTI inlet duct to the stock lower half of the airbox. The modification to the duct is opening the front driver side and blocking the rear passenger opening to the engine compartment.

The addition of the duct has previously been tested and was shown to make no difference to the airflow through the stock airbox.

Airflow through the intake was 380 CFM, no change from the setup without the modified duct.

The second variation was the removal of the lower half of the airbox.

With the bottom half of the intake removed the airflow reading increased to 391 CFM.

These results are shown in the chart:

The last variation to be tested was the full 034 intake attached to the flow bench using a larger adapter that is closer in size to the inlet end of a turbo inlet elbow.

This configuration resulted in an airflow reading of 576 CFM. The 034 intake is compared in the next chart with other intakes that have been tested similarly:

Conclusions:

In a typical operating configuration the 034 Motorsport X34 intake flows well with a value of 380 CFM. This places it around the bottom of the top third of intakes that have been flow tested.

It is not clear what criteria 034 Motorsport was using when describing the X34 intake as the “ultimate induction system”, in terms of airflow it is a solid performing system but there are other options that allow for higher airflow.