GTI TCR - exhaust options

[Shavou]

Morning gents.

Just got delivery of a 19 TCR with standard exhaust.
Lovely car but very “dull” sound in my opinion.

I’d like to improve the sound character within reasons, adding some rasping and crackling notes. 
I’m leaning toward the Scorpion cat back resonated system:

https://progressiveparts.com/product/scorpion-golf-mk7-5-gti-tcr-2019-resonated-cat-back-exhaust-100mm-polished-daytona-tips-svw060

Anyone did anything similar?
Being a resonated system, would it improve the sound, or would it be very similar to the stock one? I’ve seen in person tcr with the Akra and tbh the difference is very subtle.

I’d like to avoid going down the route of a res delete if possible as the drone and ‘boomy’ sound on the motorway will annoy me too much!

Cheers everyone

[willni]

Pretty certain the OEM Akrapovic is just a back box delete but a full titanium system. The GPF is what limits the sound in 2018+ models.

You're better going with the Resonated system first then if it's not enough just buy a non-res section, but with the GPF I'd suggest going straight to Non-res as they need all the help they can get.

But if you're very concerned about drone contact Nige @ Powervalve (https://www.powervalve.co.uk/) and get a valved system. It opens the valves when you're on turbo boost, then closes them when tiddling around off boost or on motorways.

He recommended me a WRC valved exhaust system because of the GPF on the mk7.5 which I plan on going with next year, it would be around double the price of the Scorpion system though.

Videos of the Golf R with GPF WRC System - https://www.powervalve.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=308_398_546_410_424_502&product_id=532

[Shavou]

Oh,  this is extremely useful, thank you so much!

I don’t think the OEM Akrapovic exhaust is a back box delete. See photo attached of the OEM TCR Akra exhaust, it still comes with the rear muffler. Hence why the sound difference is minimal when compared to the standard exhaust, mechanically are very similar.

Thank you so much for pointing me out Power Valve, I’ll 100% give them a call tomorrow.

I was so close to get a Clubsport 40 and then decided for the TCR…I was better going for the CS40, being pre GPF would sound dramatically better?

[willni]

Oh,  this is extremely useful, thank you so much!

I don’t think the OEM Akrapovic exhaust is a back box delete. See photo attached of the OEM TCR Akra exhaust, it still comes with the rear muffler. Hence why the sound difference is minimal when compared to the standard exhaust, mechanically are very similar.

Thank you so much for pointing me out Power Valve, I’ll 100% give them a call tomorrow.

I was so close to get a Clubsport 40 and then decided for the TCR…I was better going for the CS40, being pre GPF would sound dramatically better?

Ah I must be thinking of a different car regarding the no back box.

I have a Powervalve Prestige (Subtle version) on my mk5 and it sounds great, maybe a little quiet but it's right for what I want from the car, exceptional quality I must add.

If you're near St Helens you could probably go down and listen to them in person as they do a lot of VAG group cars.

I wouldn't say dramatic, but it would sound less 'hollow' versus a GPF model, but I'd not worry about that as the TCR is still, in my opinion the ultimate form of the mk7 GTI whilst still being a Golf.

[Exonian]

The difference between the Akra and standard TCR exhaust noise wise:
https://youtu.be/J__kY5Jl7Ps

Having owned an Ed40 for 2.5 years and a TCR with standard exhaust I can tell you the TCR is far more vocal than the Ed40. The CSS sounds mega but the Ed40 doesn’t! The TCR is a better package than the Ed40 unless you manage to nab a 3 door manual with buckets.

[Shavou]

Thank you so much Exonian!
You are an amazing resource on this forum and I have been reading many of your posts with great passion.

I’m surprised to hear that the TCR has bigger potential sound than ED40… especially considering TCR comes with DPF.
Why would you say it’s the case? Definitely good news though 😉

Did you make any mods on the exhaust on your tcr?

Thanks!!

[Exonian]

Less amazing resource and more “wasted an amazing amount of money on Golfs”! But thanks anyway 

VW did a bit of fiddling around with exhausts in recent years, probably because of enthusiast criticism of the early mk7 GTI and R exhaust sounds.
The Clubsport had a reasonable sounding exhaust, I found just leaving the parcel shelf out of the car helped bring a bit more tailpipe noise into the cabin. The rear box was unique to the Ed40 and well designed but lacked the drama of the CSS pipes.
The TCR rear exhaust was close in spec to an aftermarket exhaust to try and reclaim some characterful sounds. Where the Ed40 has a muted burble on acceleration and deceleration the TCR exhaust has a unique noise all the time. A kind of hum like an aircraft engine (propeller type not jet) when cruising then a bark when opened up. I’d imagine they reduced the amount of exhaust baffle material to compensate the noise removed by the GPF.
The only modification I did to the noise was the same as the Ed40 - I left the parcel shelf at home!

I’m sure there are people that have improved the exhaust note a little more but I’m not certain how they’d do it without removing the GPF. To add some crackles you might need to change settings in the ECU

[willni]

The TCR is a better package than the Ed40 unless you manage to nab a 3 door manual with buckets.

As someone that has experienced the 'Pleasure' of the buckets, you want them in a CSS for the weekend but not for everyday. I agree with the manual part though.

I’m sure there are people that have improved the exhaust note a little more but I’m not certain how they’d do it without removing the GPF. To add some crackles you might need to change settings in the ECU

Maybe you could add the crackles to the soundaktor we all love and don't reduce to 0%