Review: CTS Midpipes, Intake, Throttle Pipe, Turbo Outlet Pipe

[Solution]

Quick review of these components. I don't have install photos of everything, but it's fairly straightforward. This is an un-sponsored post, I purchased all of these parts myself.

Midpipes
Opinions: For the money, best bang for the buck mod. Great improvement to sound, with added burbles and downshift pops. The car should have sounded like this from the factory. With the exhaust "closed" it seems to be the same as it was stock. Very easy install.

Intake
Opinions: Runner up for best bang for the buck mod. Loudest intake I've had for any car I've owned. It's almost a bit much, but couples well with the midpipes. Easy install, worth the money. I personally don't feel the need to spend $1300 on an IE intake, so this will likely be the one I keep.

Throttle Pipe
Install Notes: The pipe comes with 2 set screws. One of mine bottoms out and sits nice, the other will go straight through. Theoretically, this could end up in the engine. I put some loctite on it and put it in. Seems to be holding fine, but I shot a message to CTS to see if it's supposed to "bottom out".

Opinions: I have a CTS throttle pipe on my MK6 GTI (2.0T). With that car, I noticed a fairly significant improvement to throttle response. I did not notice much with the 2.5T. This is probably because the turbo doesn't spool as early (or as hard) as the 2.0T. However, my car is not yet tuned, while my 2.0T is. I plan to tune my RS soon (I just got it in August) so I guess I'll find out.

Turbo Outlet Pipe
Install notes: Fitment is not the greatest. The factory silicone pipes at either end did not give me the same amount of purchase as the factory pipe. Additionally, the bracket that mounts the pipe to the block seemed off. With the pipe adjusted to its best fit on the turbo and intercooler silicone pipes, it was a good 1/2" off on the block mount. I settled on bending the mount downward and using a few aluminum washers to space it out. This gave me an acceptable fit, but I'm not a fan of it. Removing the factory pipe from the silicone coupler on the turbo side was a pain. I recommend carefully prying the edge for as much of the circumference as you can, then carefully twist and move the pipe around to get it to let up. It seemed like once the edge let up, the rest of it did. This part took me a good 15 minutes, as I didn't want to cut the silicone with a small flathead screwdriver, or twist it too much. A plastic wedge/prybar would probably work great.

Opinions: I installed this after driving with the throttle pipe for a few days. I think with both of them combined, there's a slightly improved throttle response.

[HighlyCromulent]

Awesome, I was just about to ask the group about the CTS midpipe. Looks like it’s on my shopping list now. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BeTTo RS]

Quick review of these components. I don't have install photos of everything, but it's fairly straightforward. This is an un-sponsored post, I purchased all of these parts myself.

Midpipes
Opinions: For the money, best bang for the buck mod. Great improvement to sound, with added burbles and downshift pops. The car should have sounded like this from the factory. With the exhaust "closed" it seems to be the same as it was stock. Very easy install.

Intake
Opinions: Runner up for best bang for the buck mod. Loudest intake I've had for any car I've owned. It's almost a bit much, but couples well with the midpipes. Easy install, worth the money. I personally don't feel the need to spend $1300 on an IE intake, so this will likely be the one I keep.

Throttle Pipe
Install Notes: The pipe comes with 2 set screws. One of mine bottoms out and sits nice, the other will go straight through. Theoretically, this could end up in the engine. I put some loctite on it and put it in. Seems to be holding fine, but I shot a message to CTS to see if it's supposed to "bottom out".

Opinions: I have a CTS throttle pipe on my MK6 GTI (2.0T). With that car, I noticed a fairly significant improvement to throttle response. I did not notice much with the 2.5T. This is probably because the turbo doesn't spool as early (or as hard) as the 2.0T. However, my car is not yet tuned, while my 2.0T is. I plan to tune my RS soon (I just got it in August) so I guess I'll find out.

Turbo Outlet Pipe
Install notes: Fitment is not the greatest. The factory silicone pipes at either end did not give me the same amount of purchase as the factory pipe. Additionally, the bracket that mounts the pipe to the block seemed off. With the pipe adjusted to its best fit on the turbo and intercooler silicone pipes, it was a good 1/2" off on the block mount. I settled on bending the mount downward and using a few aluminum washers to space it out. This gave me an acceptable fit, but I'm not a fan of it. Removing the factory pipe from the silicone coupler on the turbo side was a pain. I recommend carefully prying the edge for as much of the circumference as you can, then carefully twist and move the pipe around to get it to let up. It seemed like once the edge let up, the rest of it did. This part took me a good 15 minutes, as I didn't want to cut the silicone with a small flathead screwdriver, or twist it too much. A plastic wedge/prybar would probably work great.

Opinions: I installed this after driving with the throttle pipe for a few days. I think with both of them combined, there's a slightly improved throttle response.

Great write up!

It’s good to know you made them both fit and that both of them working together gave your car a small improvement, as you say, you still need to tune your car for optimal results.

Are the CTS the only option on the market right now?


Thanks

[Solution]

Great write up!

It’s good to know you made them both fit and that both of them working together gave your car a small improvement, as you say, you still need to tune your car for optimal results.

Are the CTS the only option on the market right now?


Thanks

Thanks. From what I could find, CTS is the only one available in the states. There's another company selling one overseas. I researched thoroughly.

However, companies like Iroz include custom pipes with their upgraded turbo kits. Theirs looks to mount in both factory locations.

[BeTTo RS]

Thanks. From what I could find, CTS is the only one available in the states. There's another company selling one overseas. I researched thoroughly.

However, companies like Iroz include custom pipes with their upgraded turbo kits. Theirs looks to mount in both factory locations.

Sweet!