Experience with TB inlets and charge pipes.

[DocSean]

I've been considering a TB inlet as well as hot/cold charge pipe upgrades to my TT-RS to gain some power and improve efficiency.

I like the SRM inlet, as well as the APR...but am a bit frustrated neither offer a matching charge pipe upgrade as well.

Additionally, seems like a lot of complaints out there around upgraded pipes slipping or blowing off. The Vargas charge pipes seem like maybe the best?

Would love some FIRST HAND experience from those of you who have performed any upgrades here.

FWIW I am stage 1+ Unitronic e85 with their air intake and 4" turbo inlet.

[Quattro75#]

This set up sounds great. It works well and it was easy to obtain. I think I may have gained 25-50 hp. It’s a noticeable amount without the tune

[DocSean]

I have a turbo inlet already (unitronic) and agree with you - sound is incredible (installation tested my will). Looking specifically at TB inlet upgrades.

[8STTRS]

I have/had the TB inlet pipe from APR but, it caused significant boost leaks for me that was discovered when I went with a hybrid. However, prior to which, I was still able to run 10.8's on pump 93. Now, I've gone back to the stock setup and while I'm running a hybrid on E, it doesn't seem like it's posed a restriction at all. I still have it so, perhaps I'll give it another shot at some point to see if there's a way to fix the leaking but, I personally wouldn't recommend it again. My wife's car has it, too, and my builder refuses to use the APR TB inlet so, we had to buy another stock setup for him.

[DocSean]

Good insight sir. While I'm always hunting for easy gains, I worry about introducing a potential leak and going backwards.

I have/had the TB inlet pipe from APR but, it caused significant boost leaks for me that was discovered when I went with a hybrid. However, prior to which, I was still able to run 10.8's on pump 93. Now, I've gone back to the stock setup and while I'm running a hybrid on E, it doesn't seem like it's posed a restriction at all. I still have it so, perhaps I'll give it another shot at some point to see if there's a way to fix the leaking but, I personally wouldn't recommend it again. My wife's car has it, too, and my builder refuses to use the APR TB inlet so, we had to buy another stock setup for him.

[TToysRuS]

I have/had the TB inlet pipe from APR but, it caused significant boost leaks for me that was discovered when I went with a hybrid. However, prior to which, I was still able to run 10.8's on pump 93. Now, I've gone back to the stock setup and while I'm running a hybrid on E, it doesn't seem like it's posed a restriction at all. I still have it so, perhaps I'll give it another shot at some point to see if there's a way to fix the leaking but, I personally wouldn't recommend it again. My wife's car has it, too, and my builder refuses to use the APR TB inlet so, we had to buy another stock setup for him.

Got any vids of your setup? Would love to see

[jl87]

I have/had the TB inlet pipe from APR but, it caused significant boost leaks for me that was discovered when I went with a hybrid.

Where was it leaking? I've read anytime the manifold comes off there needs to be a new gasket used. Lots of guys use RTV also when reassembling. There's also a specific pattern for tightening the bolts to ensure proper torque across the manifold.

I like the SRM inlet, as well as the APR...but am a bit frustrated neither offer a matching charge pipe upgrade as well.

Additionally, seems like a lot of complaints out there around upgraded pipes slipping or blowing off. The Vargas charge pipes seem like maybe the best?

I had the SRM TB inlet on my RS3, haven't moved it to my TTRS yet. Lots of guys say they don't add anything, same with larger diameter charge pipes.
VTT's are silicone and many claim they bulge under boost. Quite a few also state fitment isn't great on them and support is very lackluster from VTT after purchase.
CTS makes a set of turbo and TB charge pipes, but again here people say they're hit and miss with fitment.
TTE also makes a set of turbo and TB charge pipes, fitment has been reported as good but they are a little pricey.

FWIW, I never popped a hose while using the SRM TB inlet- stg2 E85

[Quattro75#]

Hello-
How did you know about the boost leaks? Where were they, so I can check.
Thank you

[8STTRS]

Good insight sir. While I'm always hunting for easy gains, I worry about introducing a potential leak and going backwards.

No problem at all. My experience may not be the same as others but, that's what we experienced. Either way, I felt like it was a quality part but, unfortunately it turned out not to be in my case.

Got any vids of your setup? Would love to see

Not really, no. It's a fairly straight forward setup, however. There's a small handful of us in the states with these turbos but, basically it's a nearly full bolt on car with a hybrid that can't even be seen from up top. I will most likely finish this build with getting an Iroz charge pipe and Tial BOV, an intake plenum and runners. My wife's car will be fully setup like that (and it's FBO) on her RS3 with the TC870XT.

Where was it leaking? I've read anytime the manifold comes off there needs to be a new gasket used. Lots of guys use RTV also when reassembling. There's also a specific pattern for tightening the bolts to ensure proper torque across the manifold.

It was leaking at the flange that attaches to the throttle body. While it was not leaking incredibly bad on my stock setup and only cost me a marginal amount of power, it was exacerbated when I went with the hybrid and tried to push 38+psi through it.

Hello-
How did you know about the boost leaks? Where were they, so I can check.
Thank you

See above. Also, it was data logged just before the build and the delta between the target boost and actual boost levels would gradually increase as the pull went along. It took a while for the leak to be found but, that ended up being the culprit.