Anybody managed to make the VAG 1.8T motor sound good?

[rainmasterb]

Morning all, I'm planning a weekend toy purchase in the coming months, and am already going through the process of deciding what I want.

The MK1 TT 240 Sport ticks most of my boxes, good looking, quite rare, manual box, cracking interior etc... But quite high up my priority list is a good sounding engine/exhaust, and at least in standard form, that can't be said of this car!

Would be interested to hear of the best solutions out there.

Thanks a lot.

[SuperVM]

I had an 8L S3 for 4.5 years and also built a mk2 Golf with a BAM 20vT, so the same unit as fitted to my S3. The Golf had a 2.5" exhaust system with no cat and still most of the noise was the turbo. I've had quite a few four cylinder turbos and very rarely have I thought they sounded good, the exception perhaps being my Imprezas at low revs. I think if you want a TT that sounds good, get one with the 3.2 VR6 lump.

[hman]

All 4 cylinder 1.8T engines no matter what has been done to the exhaust sound practically the same - but with varying degrees of loudness.


As said above - if you want a decent soundtrack then buy a v6,v8,straight 5, boxer 4. an inline turbo 4 is always going to be a droning baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa of a sound.


The only in line 4 which is worth listening to is the BDA powered escorts from the 70's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf_NH8yoCgY

[EnthusiastOwned]

Define sounding good?

I have a superspint catback system on my TT QS. It looks great, fits well so it doesn't knock. But it sounds absolutely fantastic (as far as four-pots go), quiet enough not to be obtrusive; but meaty enough to sound purposeful and intended.

As far as four pots sound it's as good as you'll get.

[McSam]

EnthusiastOwned said:

As far as four pots sound it's as good as you'll get.

That's a worryingly big statement, have you ever driven a Caterham or an S2000?

Would be interested to hear a video of your setup, though.

[goneape]

I have a TT 225 (ex-225 now ) with a custom exhaust; 3" turbo back with 400 cell cat. If you're near London I could be persuaded to take you out. It's a lot nicer than than the standard pipe but as said if it's that big a deal you should probably look at something else.

[EnthusiastOwned]

McSam said:

hat's a worryingly big statement, have you ever driven a Caterham or an S2000?

Would be interested to hear a video of your setup, though.

Catherham, no; S2000, yes. I see a Caterham most days on my commute, I've never felt the urge to wind the window down and hear it roar. An AMG on the otherhand...

Horses for courses and all that. Four-pot exhausts sound pretty pwarp and wheezy next to a V6, I6 and above. In my opinion.

I have a video but it's all road noise, hold on I'll try and dig it out.

Edit:

Edited by EnthusiastOwned on Friday 28th November 12:16

[Fattb]

My Impreza flat four with unequal headers sounded ok didnt need an exhaust the size of the channel tunnel either ! ?My BAM engined TT was very dull incomparison

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtkZHpLxjgk

[anonymous-user]

I'm yet to hear any straight 4 that I like, including the S2000. I saw my first Alfa 4C the other day and was absolutely horrified at the nasty, loud farting drone that it made when the owner booted it. I guess as a sports car they feel it has to be noisy and with only 4 cylinders to work with it's always going to be pretty monotonous.

[SuperVM]

I think some NA four cylinder engines can sound pretty good, e.g. I really liked the sound of my TSR Snetterton 16v 2.0 short-block. Generally though, I find most four cylinder engines with a turbo don't sound particularly great.

[mwstewart]

I always thought the TT sounded pretty good as standard - vertainly good enough for a 4cyl VAG engine.

Much better than the Golf/Fabia/A3/S3 versions anway.

[Mastodon2]

EnthusiastOwned said:

Catherham, no; S2000, yes. I see a Caterham most days on my commute, I've never felt the urge to wind the window down and hear it roar. An AMG on the otherhand...

Horses for courses and all that. Four-pot exhausts sound pretty pwarp and wheezy next to a V6, I6 and above. In my opinion.

I have a video but it's all road noise, hold on I'll try and dig it out.

Edit:

Edited by EnthusiastOwned on Friday 28th November 12:16

Sorry that just sounded like a louder version of any other turbo inline 4. I had a Cupra R 225 with a full Milltek system and it was loud and grumbly, but not particularly exciting.

Inline 4s don't have to be boring though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Z0Uk-Q7xM

[stugolf]

Not standard....obviously!

Doesn't sound bad though!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9gFJjOCPxc

[rainmasterb]

Although I'm quite a fan of originality, I wonder if a V6 swap might be the best solution? Assume it would be relatively straight forward?

[EnthusiastOwned]

Mastodon2 said:

Sorry that just sounded like a louder version of any other turbo inline 4. I had a Cupra R 225 with a full Milltek system and it was loud and grumbly, but not particularly exciting.

Inline 4s don't have to be boring though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Z0Uk-Q7xM

Yeah, like I say, all road noise and a mundane 4-pot.

I can't listen to the Vtec clip, but I'm imagining the sound of a high revving kitchen whisk?

[otolith]

I reckon this bunch could manage it.

[Riff Raff]

rainmasterb said:

Although I'm quite a fan of originality, I wonder if a V6 swap might be the best solution? Assume it would be relatively straight forward?

I can't see that it would be cost effective to do such a swap.

And even if you did, you would end up with a car that is slower in a straight line, doesn't handle as well, and is thirstier. And you would have destroyed any originality in a car that may well be destined to be a future classic.

If sound is what it's all about, buy a V6 instead of a 240.

Me, I quite like the burble that the standard car makes.

[nottyash]

if its loud, its annoying unless your a pre pubecent boy.
I stuck a different exhaust on a remapped Golf gti mk4 150 and it really was annoying. It hummed through the car, and was one of the worst decisions I've ever made.
I will be leaving the Mk1 TT 225 standard so I don't ruin it

[otolith]

The trouble is that silencing tends to detract from character. I bought aftermarket exhausts for the RX-8 and the Elise - in each case I chose a quieter one than the one I liked best. Just had to compromise on noise. The Mrs bought something a bit louder for her 350Z - sounds glorious, maybe a little loud for my tastes!

[hardcorehobbit]

I like the sound of my 1.8T.

It still puts a smile on my face. Yes, things with more than 4 cylinders sound great, but I'm pleased with this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detai...

Downpipe and other exhaust mods, inc a Piper cat back.