Background:
After collecting data using a modified stock intake with the M520 turbocharger, I began swapping from the GTI intake manifold to the Mabotech intake manifold.
This part was provided to me in 2022 for flow testing. At the time, I was operating the GTI with a Shuenk IS38+ turbocharger and didn’t feel that using an aftermarket intake manifold would benefit it.
I initially thought I’d use the Shuenk turbo for about two years, but that stretched to four years. Since I was holding onto Mabotech’s loaned part, I decided to buy it from them and install it for testing when the time was right.
With the larger hybrid turbo in the car, the time has come to install the manifold.
Objectives:
In addition to seeing how the Mabotech intake manifold affects the GTI performance, I also wanted the metal intake manifold to be a more robust part to support airflow testing at higher boost pressure.
As with some other “larger than stock” aftermarket parts that I’ve used, installing the Mabotech intake manifold is taking some adjustments.
The Precision Raceworks (PR) fuel rail is using the PR fuel line, but with a changeover to the Mabotech fuel rail, the PR fuel line does not have a fitting to match the Mabo fuel rail. Back to a regular fuel line between the fuel rail and the Ethanol sensor.
The different size of the Mabo intake manifold resulted in the throttle body being slightly higher than stock, and I decided to swap the 45-degree silicone coupler from aFe Power (used with the aFe Power charge pipe kit), to a coupler with longer legs.
I also swapped out a short coolant hose that connects to the hard pipe in front of the charge pipe to have more clearance around the throttle body charge pipe.
Since the Mabotech manifold does not have the runner flaps, the ECU tune from Russell Road & Racing is updated to account for the absence of the flaps.
Progress:
Now, I am putting the car back together and trying to finalize a working prototype of the MGM7 TIP (what I am calling it for now) that is designed to work on this M520 turbocharger.
Hopefully, I’ll be back in business within the next week driving the car.