Disappointed in APR intake

[Vermilion]

First off it doesn't have any sound I was expecting from a new intake. Yes I know its all enclosed and all that but, I can't even tell I switched intakes. Secondly, the fitment is poor. Its held on with a zip tie because the one tab broke off and the other that is supposed to screw in, doesn't as there is a flimsy prong that also broke off. The fitment to the stock intake hose is pretty shoddy looking and feeling as well. The whole assembly moves around quite a bit. I was expecting more from $450. I wonder if I should just unbolt the filter from the housing and remove the housing altogether. Probably make the car run like shit I'm sure.

[javbomb]

If you did that it would turn into a hot air intake lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[javbomb]

Mine has a clear difference in sound and spooling time. I have gone back to the stock one for a few days too since I had to go in for some warranty stuff and I missed the sound right away. Also with the window down the difference is pretty big. I like mine a lot. But you are right on the fitment not being very snug. My tabs have not broken off luckily though it does move around a little.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nightmare1708]

I had the exactly same problem with the fitment. I changed it for the VWR600 intake. It sounds much better and fits better too.

[will13k7]

my tabs are not broken and in combination with the rubber connection on the bottom of the intake to the car it doesn't seem to have much play at all. I don't like that I had to bend a flimsy plastic tab to install it though.

I can only hear a difference in sound when the windows are down, and it's just louder turbo spool and blow-off when there's something for the sound to bounce off of, no added induction sound. Its great sounding in tunnels and under an overpass with the windows down though!

[phillyquattro]

The fitment and delicate tabs issues are well known. I don't understand how people continue to have these problems when you should know you have to be careful when installing the intake. It does allow for a lot of movement which is why you can't pair it with a silicon inlet hose (less you void the warranty). That part is a bit of a downer.

[velodb]

If you look at the APR intake it utilizes the air coming into the engine bay directly in front of the housing. If you modify the box that the stock snorkel attaches too by cutting open the front of this box to mirror the opening that it has on the passenger side you will not how two sets of openings capturing the air available for the air box which trumps the APR intake design as to the volume of incoming air.

What puzzles me about this said box is that the opening is in front of the passenger side facing both the front of the car and the engine. Not sure why that is. I cut open the driver's side to mirror the passenger side as noted above. I almost think the opening on the passenger side facing the engine was made to accommodate an air box attaching to the driver's side as well in perhaps another application.

Since I have done this mod, I have a slightly deeper tone to the intake, had 10 minutes of fun cutting it open and truly believe that the greater frontal area that now captures the air coming into the box trumps the APR box.

Oh, $400 plus dollars in my pocket is also super nice.

[velodb]

This is what I did that I think is better than paying APR $400 I cut out opening in the front of the box. This video just shows the location and not what I did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWTe...ature=youtu.be

[javbomb]

Yeah that just doesn't look as nice as a pretty carbon intake though :)

There is also supposed theory behing the design aspect to the APR intake which I agree with to some extent and that is that is has far less air turbulence and a cyclonic flow direction.

The stock intake will just be making shitloads of air turbulence right at the front of your engine bay and then the engine will suck only what it needs from there.

I also don't think you are actually letting any more air into the engine as you need a higher flow filter anyway. And the engine will only take as much air as it wants, I think you are just freeing up the flow a little, less restriction if anything. But there will still be a LOT of turbulence at the front of your engine bay. The APR intake seems to be a little more of a ram-air theory. How effective that really is, ai don't know. I could be wrong.

Worst case scenario it will help with stage 2 tune a lot and be very pretty otherwise.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WildHareMS]

I don't find the APR housing to be flimsy at all. The tab in question that breaks is the factory part, not APR's. If a few extra seconds and a little awareness are used, I don't think nearly as many would break. Yes, the system is relatively quiet. Yet it makes just as much horsepower as the competition and, in my own personal opinion, looks better. I have gotten numerous compliments from enthusiasts and technicians alike when I open my hood. Form, function and aesthetics. I have no regrets on that purchase.

[markn1689]

Not surprised.. crap gear.APR. just forget it ever happened and never buy from them again

[Vermilion]

Eh, maybe not crap just could have thought some aspects of their design through a little more. I would still like to try one of their tunes. They are only a couple hours drive from me.

[gp813]

FWIW, the part that screws in is only on the golf R. The instructions given are specifically for a golf R and varies slightly from the S3. I was only annoyed at the fact they couldnt just add another guide specifically for the S3 to address some of the problems people have with the differences.

[LOT4R]

The fitment and delicate tabs issues are well known. I don't understand how people continue to have these problems when you should know you have to be careful when installing the intake. It does allow for a lot of movement which is why you can't pair it with a silicon inlet hose (less you void the warranty). That part is a bit of a downer.

Replacing the inlet hose void the warranty? That's crazy. What about just intake?

So... will the Unitronic equivalent void warranty, as it replaces inlet hose as well?

[Vermilion]

It voids the warranty of the intake if you use a different hose.

[javbomb]

It voids the warranty of the intake if you use a different hose.

I should probably add that is because the softer silicone hose would put undue stress on the intakes mounting points and could cause premature failure.

[phillyquattro]

I should probably add that is because the softer silicone hose would put undue stress on the intakes mounting points and could cause premature failure.

Yea, the silicone hose is far more rigid than the OEM plastic one and won't allow nearly as much movement of the airbox, which is something the APR one is designed to do...move around a bit. Which, as you said, could damage those mounting points and who knows what else. Seems like a small trade off considering the numbers it puts down are comparable to any other intake I've seen while looking significantly better. I'm also partial to believe them that it creates less turbulence than other intakes.

[will13k7]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I always thought the intake box wasn't designed to move around?

The engine moves around, front to back, during acceleration, which is why the plastic intake hose has the accordion style ridges. If you replace the flexible plastic hose with a stiff silicone one, it won't soak up the engine movement and cause stress on the intake box instead, probably breaking those weak OEM tabs or cracking the carbon fiber.

[phillyquattro]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I always thought the intake box wasn't designed to move around?

The engine moves around, front to back, during acceleration, which is why the plastic intake hose has the accordion style ridges. If you replace the flexible plastic hose with a stiff silicone one, it won't soak up the engine movement and cause stress on the intake box instead, probably breaking those weak OEM tabs or cracking the carbon fiber.

Yea I should have actually said it's design to handle movement instead, which like you said, will be engine movement. It'd be great if APR made a better inlet hose that's still flexible enough for their intake and the fragile tabs. One can hope.

[HurrayFive]

It voids the warranty of the intake if you use a different hose.

Just as a clarification, a turbo inlet hose/pipe by itself certainly won't void the warranty, I did my 5 & 10K service with mine installed without issue or TD1. The factory intake mounts securely via rubber grommets that support the intake housing completely independently of the inlet pipe or the front shroud.

I have the Forge silicone TIP installed alongside my AWE intake and it's definitely more sturdy than the stock hose with the benefit of no accordion ridges on the inside, but it still allows for movement. That said, the AWE intake mounts via the same factory locations using rubber grommets, it doesn't attach to the front shroud or the pipe for support, it sits freely (but securely) on the rubber grommets. This allows the housing to flex and move independently of the intake pipe as the engine moves under load (which, albeit, is quite a bit less now with the BFI mounts installed)

[phillyquattro]

Just as a clarification, a turbo inlet hose/pipe by itself certainly won't void the warranty, I did my 5 & 10K service with mine installed without issue or TD1.

We're talking about it voiding the warranty of the APR intake, not the car. It's mentioned at the bottom of the product page on APR's site.

[drzero6]

I recommend K&N panel filter with "Audi S3 free mods" thread/youtube ....will look stock, sound great, and save you money

[javbomb]

I recommend K&N panel filter with "Audi S3 free mods" thread/youtube ....will look stock, sound great, and save you money

If you are going to keep the cars airbox stock then the oem air filter is best to stay where it is. K&N filters are unnecessary.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[drzero6]

Interesting, I have read around 100-150 more cfm which is less restrictive and no need to keep changing plus its only 50$.... Oh and light weight

[HurrayFive]

We're talking about it voiding the warranty of the APR intake, not the car. It's mentioned at the bottom of the product page on APR's site.

Ohhhh, gotcha, that makes more sense.

[Vermilion]

I had a derp moment and think the reason I can't hear mine very well is because of my non res non valved Milltek exhaust :D

I CAN hear slight bit of whoosh and some turbo but its nothing like it was in my 2008 WRX STI and on that I had a straight pipe.

I'll keep it around for a bit and either put the stock back on or trying something different.

[phillyquattro]

I had a derp moment and think the reason I can't hear mine very well is because of my non res non valved Milltek exhaust :D

I CAN hear slight bit of whoosh and some turbo but its nothing like it was in my 2008 WRX STI and on that I had a straight pipe.

I'll keep it around for a bit and either put the stock back on or trying something different.

Your 2008 STI wouldn't have the same level of cabin insulation as the S3 so keep that in mind as well. Also what matters more to you; hearing your intake or the actual performance of your intake? Also makes sense that you might have a hard time hearing it over that non-res non-valved exhaust ;-)

[Vermilion]

Probably 50/50 on sound vs performance. Same with my milltek exhaust. Didn't buy it for anything other than sound.

[Nightmare1708]

I used to be able to hear my VWR600 intake..... Until I also installed my non valved and non resonated Milltek exhaust.

[SilentSLJ]

HurrayFive,
I'm curious to know where you sourced that Forge TIP? Thanks.

[phillyquattro]

HurrayFive,
I'm curious to know where you sourced that Forge TIP? Thanks.

I actually have one from Spulen that's new and in the packaging that I've been meaning to sell. Just been too lazy to take pics and create a listing. $60 shipped. PM me if you're interested.

[markn1689]

The AWE intake looks nice and well built. And they factored into the design that hose that goes across the intake box.

APR seemed to have looked over that detail.... And APR intake tabs break and are super brittle.

So far AWE is the clear winner here.

[HurrayFive]

HurrayFive,
I'm curious to know where you sourced that Forge TIP? Thanks.

In case you're still curious, the shop I always use keeps them in stock, Goodspeed Performance in Scottsdale, I had them throw it on when they were doing my downpipe after I had already installed the intake.

[phillyquattro]

For all the people that aren't upset with their APR intake because they installed in incorrectly and would also like to have a nice looking TIP to complement it you should check out APR's Instagram pic from last week. Carbon fiber TIP with flexible joints. They said they'll bring it to market if there is interest...so let them know if you're interested.

[WildHareMS]

For all the people that aren't upset with their APR intake because they installed in incorrectly and would also like to have a nice looking TIP to complement it you should check out APR's Instagram pic from last week. Carbon fiber TIP with flexible joints. They said they'll bring it to market if there is interest...so let them know if you're interested.

I saw this as well... Would make it a stage2 intake I guess, but look absolutely wonderful.

[phillyquattro]

I saw this as well... Would make it a stage2 intake I guess, but look absolutely wonderful.

APR noted in the comments that's it's purely aesthetic. All the gains are in the intake box, this is just to complete the look they say.

[WildHareMS]

APR noted in the comments that's it's purely aesthetic. All the gains are in the intake box, this is just to complete the look they say.

I'm completely okay with that.

[will13k7]

looks nice, maybe I'd pick it up if I got the turbo muffler delete.

[markn1689]

the carbon fiber in this last pic looks like the gloss is hazing up. apr
with apr design the coolant line will need to be moved/rteplaced. yet they do not tell you this on the site or included any parts to fix that.

Go Awe

[phillyquattro]

the carbon fiber in this last pic looks like the gloss is hazing up. apr
with apr design the coolant line will need to be moved/rteplaced. yet they do not tell you this on the site or included any parts to fix that.

CF looks just fine to me. Perhaps you're mistaking sheen and reflection for haziness. Dear god, you have to move a coolant line? It took you longer to make that post than it would take to move that line or to replace it if that's the decision you made.

AWE is a great company, but I think their intake is over priced and seemingly under-designed. It's just a filter on a stick placed in a CF box. APR has better gains and shows that a TON of R&D went into their intake to reduce turbulence and pressure while increasing efficiency...which is probably why it's not 3 times the size like most other intakes. It also serves as a mounting point for their catch can system which is clever design (also clever marketing/sales as the two are tightly coupled).

Again, AWE makes great products and I am by no means discounting them. I've just seen you popping into a handful of threads lately and shitting on APR for seemingly no reason and with pretty much zero explanation. If you're feeling wronged by APR then let us know why, otherwise just save it...or you know, continue acting like a child.