Turbo Inlet Pipe

MODE Auto Concepts Turbo Inlet Pipe.

The efficacy vs cost has always left me uncertain as to the actual performance benefit of cold air intakes. Indeed many seem of questionable quality, more likely to induce heat soak, and at best expensive reproductions of OEM components. I seem to go down this rabbit hole periodically. It's probably that I’m looking for a simple project or excuse to tinker. Long story short, I opted to replace the OEM turbo inlet pipe instead of / before the air intake.

The main reason I opted for changing the turbo inlet pipe is firstly specs. The OEM item is 47mm wide at the turbo side and 62mm at the air intake side. This coupled with a significant intrusion from the PCV connection, the stock item does visibly bottleneck. Secondly is cost, there are a number of turbo inlet pipes available with improved specs at a quarter of the price of entire intake systems. Thirdly, it's a very simple installation that works with stock connections. It should be noted that the turbo inlet pipe is not a known failure point on the VW GTI.

For interesting reading I strongly suggest visiting httpsi://mygolfmk7.com/. This is a great repository of information on a variety of mods for the VW GTI platform. I opted for the MODE Auto Concepts item, based on specs it was comparable to the BMS version reviewed on the aforementioned website and produced excellent results, however more easily accessible in Australia. Additionally it is an Australian designed and manufactured item. Furthermore the Mode Concepts piece does not bottleneck as the diameter tapers down, and there is no intrusion from the PCV connection.

Key specs of the MODE Auto Concepts Turbo Inlet Pipe:

Air Intake side - 66mm

Turbo side - 50mm

Confirmed via Vernier measurement

First impressions are positive. The construction is CNC aluminum, with welded connections for turbo and air intake pipe. The welds are even, consistent and no burs or overrun. On connections, there is a lip added at the air intake so the stock pipe can lock into place from the. I would suggest washing the part; there were some loose flakes of aluminium from the CNC process. Black powder coating is even. The two stickers within the packaging were a nice touch of appreciation from MODE.

Installation was simple for the Mk7.5 GTI as the newer connections for the PCV pipe were easy to remove. On the Mk7 the connection can be more temperamental, and prone to breaking. The MODE turbo inlet pipe returned to the stock location with ease, locking into place without issue. Indeed the fit was a lot more snug than the stock unit, with no play at all. The lip on the air intake side was appreciated as the stock pipe, when it eventually slid into place, made a satisfying noise to confirm a good connection was achieved. Installation could be handled by the novice in 20-30mins using simple torque screw drivers, pliers / multi grips, and a flat head screw driver.

So what about performance? This is more subjective, and not as easy to quantify. Under full throttle / high revs there is definitely a more pronounced turbo spoon sound which was a surprising bonus. At this end of driving, there is a feeling of improved throttle response, especially when  dropping the revs for a corner, then getting back on throttle. Perhaps placebo, but it did feel more responsive, a little less bogged down by turbo lag.

Would I recommend this item? Yes. If you want an easy project to begin developing your modding chops, it’s a simple job to gain confidence. The product is high quality, and Australian made. I’ve checked it a number of times since installation. There are no visible signs of wear and tear, and the integrity of the turbo seal and air intake connection remain strong. I’d be keen to couple this with either a complete cold air intake, or more likely the MODE silicone intake pipe and a high flow air filter.