@OccyVRS

Cost saving, as in fuel economy wise?

It's the small (and relatively inexpensive) things I'm looking at really :)

Ok, I looked into the DV thing a little more, and I don't think I pursue that one. It's debatable whether it fits my engine (even GFB don't know for sure) and they are advising yearly maintenance of it, due to dirt ingress.

I take your point at expensive 'silly' mods, I shan't be going there. This is just me trying to carve out a bit of hobby/project for myself, with one of the few things I have an interest in.

I have Hankook Ventus Prime4 tyres. I have the exact K&N product pictured somewhere above i.e. 57S-9506.

Which pads would you go for? Also, looking at spacers, 11mm doesn't seem all that much, especially as they are available in considerably larger sizes/depths, what do you reckon in terms of my vehicle?

I looked at a resonator delete, as you suggested, but I really struggled to find anything for my particular car, and do wonder about the whole process of selecting one part over another, and then finding someone to fit it etc. I could easily get the 'wrong' thing etc.

@travs Would you be able to share a photo of how your wheels look in the arches with your 11m spacers fitted? I'm just wondering if I might want to go with 15mm or more. 11mm on the face of it, doesn't seem all that much, and I don't want to get into an expensive 'trial and error' approach.

@leolito Sage words sir, thank you! I won't be going down the turbo route.

Software wise, what do you suggest? I have already had a Stage 1 remap i.e. from 150bhp to 170bhp, and I think anymore would probably require supporting hardware modifications.

3 hours ago, netman82 said:

@travs Would you be able to share a photo of how your wheels look in the arches with your 11m spacers fitted? I'm just wondering if I might want to go with 15mm or more. 11mm on the face of it, doesn't seem all that much, and I don't want to get into an expensive 'trial and error' approach.

Here you go. Stupidly I didn’t take a before pic from the same angle but that’s with the spacers. And with the spacers placed on the hub

I may go down that route, a small spacer, but will see. For now I just fitted the 18s and must post pictures.

Pads, travs knows, I will be getting what he is getting when the time comes.

Software, mine still original, but most likely will use TVS together with the DSG remap.

Tires, how do you find the Hankook? I have the same Vertus, but on my wife's ex-car (long story), a simple Micra K12, and I am fairly disappointed on their performance after less than three years are already presenting cracks in the carcass, between the threads, and general loosing grip. Considering that this is 80hp with a 4-speed auto only used in the city, is frankly a failure in my book....

bigger injectors , and bigger turbo. than prepare for piston rod break.

leave it on 170 bhp. it is good for stock parts. i also think about mine 1.5 tsi do the same, but stock air filter, maybe sponge. cotton filters let in a lot of particles, small stones, etc.

Smashing stuff @travs , thank you! 😀 Are you happy with the 11mm, or would you go bigger ideally?

4 hours ago, netman82 said:

Smashing stuff @travs , thank you! 😀 Are you happy with the 11mm, or would you go bigger ideally?

For me it’s fine. The standard stance was always too thin for me but I’ve always held off spacers because of the potential negative if done badly/wrongly. So this size is a decent enough compromise. I couldn’t see myself going wider.

Got it, thank you for following up. What potential pitfalls should I be wary of? I will likely opted for the same spacers as you.

In line with what has been said, the most power you want to be putting through these engines is about 180bhp. Anything north of 190bhp you start to risk breaking things. Even if the engine internals can cope (debatable), the cooling system, gearbox, etc, isn't. Best case scenario, as a lot of 150ps Leon FR owners found, you'll knacker the clutch.

I'm not too sure about Hankook, but something from Michelin or Continental could be worth a look, depending on your tyre size.

Pads and discs depends on what you're after. Something from EBC or Pagid could be worth a look.

If you're going to be doing spacers, some lowering springs might be nice too. You don't want to run huge spacers IMO - if you're after anything more than 15mm or so, I'd get some different offset wheels.

A res delete is literally cutting the/a resonator out and putting in a put of straight pipe - it's generally a quick 'custom' job.

10 hours ago, imart143 said:

but stock air filter, maybe sponge. cotton filters let in a lot of particles, small stones, etc.

FYI @netman82 this isn't true at all. Even if you run an open cone filter, nothing is getting through any filter.

Thank you @OccyVRS I feel a little guilty, when I asked about pitfalls, I specifically only meant surrounding wheel spacers with @travs saying "potential negative if done badly/wrongly", but I am very grateful for all your additional and valuable thoughts, thank you :) As a starter for ten, where might I start looking for a res delete i.e. supply and fit? Noted re: the filter.

Edited 9 May, 20251 yr by netman82

All @travs was on about (I think) the risk of spacers being installed improperly, or causing premature wear on bearings, hubs, etc. In theory there’s no difference between a super high offset wheel and a 30mm spacer, so as long as they’re installed properly, centred, etc, you should be absolutely fine.

I would hope any decent performance/tuning/exhaust place can help you. I wouldn’t expect you to be paying more than around £50.

P.S. you might also want to look into sorting the turbo wastegate rattle. It’s a common issue on all these cars - when in 2cyl mode, the sound is annoying. I remember my Leon was particularly horrendous!

@Occy

Ah, yes. Is there much to installing them? If I buy some, would you imagine there being any accompanying instructions, or is it all quite self-explanatory? I will be buying hub-centric ones designed for my stock wheels with matching extended bolts.

Is there any kind of useful 'directory' for such things? I am based near Sheffield. When I've searched, res delete hardware is £100+ before any labour, which I'd then have to sort elsewhere, so ~£50 sounds very appealing, if I can readily find a reputable establishment.

Oh my! Is that what that sound is! This could change my daily driving experience. I have never been close to tracking that annoying rattle down. Do you think it's a straightforward job for a decent mechanic? Or will I just be met with a blank face and a shoulder shrug?

@leolito Regarding my Hankook tyres, to be honest, I am not best placed to comment on them really, in a critical sense. I bought them based on ratings (grip, fuel economy and noise) and relative cost. If money weren't a consideration, I'd get something higher-end, but at the same time, I don't want budget tyres, or none matching ones, so I chose what I thought to be a sensible middle of the road (pun absolutely intended) option.

12 hours ago, netman82 said:

@Occy

Ah, yes. Is there much to installing them? If I buy some, would you imagine there being any accompanying instructions, or is it all quite self-explanatory? I will be buying hub-centric ones designed for my stock wheels with matching extended bolts.

Is there any kind of useful 'directory' for such things? I am based near Sheffield. When I've searched, res delete hardware is £100+ before any labour, which I'd then have to sort elsewhere, so ~£50 sounds very appealing, if I can readily find a reputable establishment.

Oh my! Is that what that sound is! This could change my daily driving experience. I have never been close to tracking that annoying rattle down. Do you think it's a straightforward job for a decent mechanic? Or will I just be met with a blank face and a shoulder shrug?

Re the res delete - £50 may have been on the low end, however I still stand by it. If you're wanting an anti-drone section then it'll be more, however ultimately a simple res delete is a bit of straight pipe and two welds!

If you're able to change a wheel and get some 57.1mm (VAG CB) spacers, I don't see why you'd have an issue - it's virtually the same process as refitting a wheel normally. Issues only arise when you're messing around attempting to centre spacers and the wheel.

You can change the waste gate actuator clip which does help, however the linkage naturally has a bit of slop in it. I honestly can't remember how easy it was to access, however I think nothing had to be removed. https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/how-to-fix-the-turbo-wastegate-rattle-on-the-mk7-golf-1-4lt-tsi-140-150ps.340805/

I've had a quote for a "custom" res delete from Cobra Sport for £195 inc. VAT & fitting - I've requested further details on their solution. I've also requested competing quotes from a few other places, but am still waiting those.

What do you mean by VAG CB? I am looking at the following spacers: https://wheelpartsdirect.com/products/spacers/145/skoda/superb-mk3/original

I have read the linked article in detail, and am positive that I cannot go anywhere near that job. I will make some enquiries. I am also questioning now, whether the sound I hear is wastegate rattle. It's only really apparent on cold morning starts and for a brief time, probably - my memory/recall isn't all that reliable.

@OccyVRS I've been looking into a res delete with some gusto, but it has been suggested that I might consider a backbox delete instead. What are your thoughts on this in the context of my vehicle and engine size etc? Is such a thing purely about sound, or does it have any other affects good or bad?

Apologies - by VAG CB I was meaning VW Audi Group centre bore. In other words, the exact hub spacing of 57.1mm. By using hub centric spacers you're absolutely fine, however I just wanted to mention it, as a surprising number of people don't use them.

I would personally avoid a backbone delete. It will increase the noise significantly, but in much more of an ASBO way than an enjoyable way.

Thanks you for your clarification and opinion @OccyVRS :)

I am not a fan of deleting backboxes, the amount of noise more than sound in noticeable.

Removing some component in the middle of the exhaust line is more appropriate, but in any case you increase noise and possibily inducing droning, I actually stopped years ago experimenting with this.

It turns out my MacBook didn't like the word backbox. I would, of course, discourage a backbone delete - it would be uncomfortable.

A backbox delete is maybe a consideration if you have a 4.4L V8. In this instance though, as said, it'll just create a racket. I was always told to never consider one below a 3.0 V6 and even then, it is a mixed bag. You can get anti-drone sections for a res delete.

@OccyVRS I did wonder, but it made me laugh! 😄 Sometimes, I do worry if I even have a backbone that could be deleted...

Anyway, got it, no to a backbox delete. Backbone to the resonator question. I have attached a photo; I'm stupid (if you hadn't already twigged), so bear with. Is the rectangular box at the top, the resonator? What is the long cylinder in the middle? None of the VAG photos I've come across feature this section - it seems I have two 'bits' between the cat and backbox, whereas others have just one.

I am really struggling to find any 'off-the-shelf' res delete with anti-drone (presumably the extra j-pipe section tacked on) for my vehicle, they're all for larger engine sizes or different models etc. All my quotes are coming back at ~ £200 fitted, and are just straight pipes 👎

Edited 19 May, 20251 yr by netman82

Again, I would not do what you seem to be wanting to do 😁

Spend money elsewhere first, to make "racket" there is always time.

Occy, removing backboxes on a V8 makes a hell of a racket, perhaps acceptable if you are stupid and in your 20s, but it grows old quickly afterwards, or you are just old and stupid....also.

Me and my mates tried every possible configuration on RV8 RRs, with or without cats, with or without center muffler, with or without backboxes .... it offers different results for different tastes 😁

This is without cats, center muffler and no backboxes 😜

To be fair @leolito you did say a "middle of the exhaust line is more appropriate", which is what I am considering and looking for advice on.

@netman82 Unless I'm being a fool, the box part (further back) is the back box and the cylinder shape is the resonator.

@leolito Haha - I was meaning more a V8 in terms of say an AMG GT or the like! At that point though, it'll be a custom system anyway.

I personally wouldn't do a backbox delete on any car. It'll sound horrendous on anything below 3.0, and will be deafening above that, as you say.