Below is a quick write up about my experience installing these cutouts. I picked these because I believe vacuum to be more reliable than electric. These are 3 inch, but our exhaust is 2.5 inch if you buy these then be sure to get the 2.5 if you want to use the included clamps! I needed more than what came in the kit though to maintain my goal of keeping it look as stock of an install as possible. I wasn't able to post this in the DIY section, sorry mods!
First, the stuff you need to install it like I did:
1. A multipack of various sized inline vacuum hose connectors.
2. You don't need to, but this length of cloth wrapped vacuum hose helps to keep the install looking stock. If I remember right I ordered 6 feet.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-5-mm-Germ...72.m2749.l2649
3. A black cut to length T-tap.
When you get your kit this is the contents if you go with the remote setup like me. You have two different lengths of blue hose, some t-taps, the vacuum solenoid, zip ties, and the receiver for the remote.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/rEaae7UqaAauBQaBA
First, I tackled the vacuum install. (Side note, the instructions are for a Golf and virtually all videos I found are the same, so this is a lot of trial and error to come to this setup.) I took the cover off the back of the engine bay and decided to mount the vacuum solenoid on this lower bolt. It provided a lot of space to run the hose. Hooking up the solenoid is just like the instructions ECS provides so I won't go into the nitty gritty there. Just make sure the relief valve is pointed the correct way.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qf2m6SyQQ3A5QuLS6
After you get it hooked up I connected the black vacuum hose to it that will run down the engine bay and under the car to the actual cutouts. And I connected the blue hose again so it is more hidden. It should look something like this.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qUNt1m9ayCw2Nk8K8
After this I had to find a suitable vacuum source. To me, there are two options: The intercooler housing or the canister on the driver side. The housing being right on the engine and in front was a no no for me because heat and hiding the connection. So, I chose the canister. It has a hard line going to a soft elbow that actually connects the canister. This is where that black t-tap comes into play. I cut one side to fit the black cloth vacuum hose, one to fit the hard line, and the other the soft elbow. I didn't want to, and its definitely not a good idea, cut the hard line. This is also good because if you need to you can easily remove it and return to stock. Last, run the vacuum hose back under the rear cover and to the other outlet of the solenoid. It should look like this.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hsoxtZJ9jk92ugsi9
Next, I tackled the power source. This was the most difficult part because I spent a lot of time looking for the best way and location to tap for power. My first attempt was to breach the firewall behind the ECU but that didn't work out. I would have been able to use an add-a-fuse to the driver side fuse box, but I couldn't get through the firewall. Well, to my surprise there was a small fusebox under the ECU with a live red wire. I used this as a source and used another nut for the ground. These instructions are pretty simple, just involved removing the wiper fluid reservoir and ECU, then unbolting the cover. It looks something like this. I tucked the remote receiver under the support and wrapped the extra wires up with twist ties to keep everything tidy.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/neHfwuDapEUWPcyQ6
From here connect the power to the solenoid.
After all of this is done you should only see a small section of black vacuum hose go to the canister and a small section on the passenger side go down to the underside of the car. From here its personal preference on where you put the actual cut outs. Follow the directions and measure 563547 times before you cut. Since I was accidentally given 3 inch cut outs and we have 2.5 in stock exhaust I didn't install them myself. I did have them welded in place of the stock front resonators. If you buy the 2.5 in version you can easily use the supplied clamps to install them yourself. I thought about putting them right behind the rear mufflers but the passenger side makes a turn and they would have been sitting on the wheel well. This way I got two birds with one stone because with them closed and the res gone its a bit more sporty. They look like this installed.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZfxmwHueTBXTVMJK8
They come with two remotes. I was able to program the open/closed from the remotes in my two remaining homelink buttons. This way I don't even need the remotes anymore and it makes it even more stealth. That should be it. Fill in the blanks using the provided instructions on their website. They work excellent and I am really happy with them!
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Originally Posted by AudBoost
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