Carbonio Enhancements - Anyone ? (Pls, No haters..)

[DownUnderSLine]

Firstly, many haters jump on this product everytime it's mentioned - bad opinions noted in several other threads so please, no need to repeat them here.... Constructive input only thanks !

Regardless of the conflicting opinions of this product I picked up an "as new", 2nd hand Carbonio CAI for a very responable price.

I test fitted it today and yes, the fitment is crap ! Had to fiddle for ages to find the best fit and then slot all three holes on the CF cover. Still, I was surprised to see such major gaps between the metal sides of the filter box and the engine bay body work ? Why Carbonio ?

Fortunately I'm a die hard DIYer who cant help but pursue improvement. I removed it all and will embark on some enhancements to the air box to better isolate the filter. I plan to append a better heat shield between the air box and the turbo & exhaust. Also to close up all the gaps so it will only breath through the cold air inlet duct. Has any one else bothered doing this ? Pics/Ideas welcome.

As it is though - I took my otherwise stock car out for a test run. Anyone who claims they can't feel a difference needs their butt dyno re-calibrated !
Wide Open Throttle; No, but there is definately an improvement to throttle response at low RPM, Partial Throttle applications. Sound is OK too.

[evilgabbie]

i have it, love it but i really don't think it makes any difference with driving the car except for the cool sounds =)

[A4RingPimp]

I too bought a carbonio at a pretty good price and the fitment was SHIT! But I figured it out.
I ended up murdering mine out and bought a custom heat shield from someone on here. I then used some foam stuff from the hardware store (that is for insulating copper A/C lines) to fill up the gaps. You can barely see it on the left behind the headlight

[Louis J.]

RingPimp, well done. I have a Carbonio (car came with it) and was thinking of installing the heat shield. The car does seem to make a bit more power when it's temperatures are running low. I may also paint mine as the CF is discoloring to a puke green. Carbonio sounds great but looks and fits like sh*t!

[A4 JooN 2.0T]

i know no hating but....why do you need to buy a heatshield when you already paid $350 for it.....whats the other $300 for the name?? [O_O]

[A4RingPimp]

why do you need to buy a heatshield when you already paid $350 for it.....whats the other $300 for the name?? [O_O]

I cannot speak for others, but personally I paid $200. So I figured the HS was worth it considering how damn hot the Carbonio was becoming. Now it stays suprisingly cool to the touch as long as I keep driving (even here in FL).

[supamannn99]

i have the EVOMS intake and its basically the same thing. it just doesn't have the fancy unnecessary carbon fiber cover. surprisingly, i felt an improvement over stock only during colder temperatures.

it sounds nice too. the fitment of the heatshield was also pretty shitty though. anyone planning to buy an intake, you should go with the cheaper EVOMS and get a custom heatshield

[DownUnderSLine]

i know no hating but....why do you need to buy a heatshield when you already paid $350 for it.....whats the other $300 for the name?? [O_O]

I know ! But yes, fortunately a 2nd hand one make it more acceptable. 2 reasons:

- it's right next to the hot turbo, cat & exhaust
- 1inch air gaps between the air box sides and the body work...

[DownUnderSLine]

I too bought a carbonio at a pretty good price and the fitment was SHIT! But I figured it out.
I ended up murdering mine out and bought a custom heat shield from someone on here. I then used some foam stuff from the hardware store (that is for insulating copper A/C lines) to fill up the gaps. You can barely see it on the left behind the headlight

Oh Neat ! Pretty much exactly what I had in mind.... Thanks for pic

[Noffy]

I too bought a carbonio at a pretty good price and the fitment was SHIT! But I figured it out.
I ended up murdering mine out and bought a custom heat shield from someone on here. I then used some foam stuff from the hardware store (that is for insulating copper A/C lines) to fill up the gaps. You can barely see it on the left behind the headlight

This is exactly what I did but I have the EVOMS. I really enjoy the CAI, works pretty good, sounds great. I dunno about more HP but defintely felt a nice performance boost in the throttle and turbo spool although I am pretty much a mod. noob so i could be explaining it wrong. I used a custom heat sheild very similar to the one above and it seems to work pretty good. The more heat sheild you have the better. Thats how I look at it. I don't really know if the additional HS has had much effect on overall performance though, the weather here is still cold and rainy so I am not really fighting a hot environment.

good luck, and congrats on the CAI.