Give it a bit more grunt

[Evoss]

I have a 1.6 FSI and want to give it a bit more grunt from its silence at the moment.

I dont want to fork out for a new exhaust etc.. what else can I do to make the engine purr a little bit?

I wld aprechiate links to the bits and bobs ur talking about.

Thanks

[Egbutt Wash]

These guys should be able to help...

http://www.microminiatures.com/

[Jimp]

You can get a stainless steel or just a smaller mild steel back box as the standard one on the mk5 is quite big and silences it a lot. Would be cheaper than a full system.
A K&N/Pipercross/ITG panel filter makes the noise that bit nicer. I have a Pipercross in the 1.4, bought it directly from the Pipercross website a few months ago.
Another handy trick is to take out the parcel shelf  Sounds stupid but I rarely have mine in because I have gutiar amps in the boot regularly. Whenever I put the parcel shelf back in the car gets a lot quieter. Sounds silly but hey, it's free 

[FamilyDub]

Another handy trick is to take out the parcel shelf... 

^^^ I love the drive home from the dump, for this very reason!

no parcel shelf and lowered back seats, FTW! 

[Evoss]

Who is better K&N or Pipercross?

Is an induction kit worth anything ?

[Evoss]

You can get a stainless steel or just a smaller mild steel back box as the standard one on the mk5 is quite big and silences it a lot. Would be cheaper than a full system.
A K&N/Pipercross/ITG panel filter makes the noise that bit nicer. I have a Pipercross in the 1.4, bought it directly from the Pipercross website a few months ago.
Another handy trick is to take out the parcel shelf  Sounds stupid but I rarely have mine in because I have gutiar amps in the boot regularly. Whenever I put the parcel shelf back in the car gets a lot quieter. Sounds silly but hey, it's free 

Does the pannel filter make the car sound better>

[maxp]

You can get a stainless steel or just a smaller mild steel back box as the standard one on the mk5 is quite big and silences it a lot. Would be cheaper than a full system.
A K&N/Pipercross/ITG panel filter makes the noise that bit nicer. I have a Pipercross in the 1.4, bought it directly from the Pipercross website a few months ago.
Another handy trick is to take out the parcel shelf  Sounds stupid but I rarely have mine in because I have gutiar amps in the boot regularly. Whenever I put the parcel shelf back in the car gets a lot quieter. Sounds silly but hey, it's free 

Does the pannel filter make the car sound better>

Changing just the filter itself wont, no. Fit an induction kit (also cheap) will give it a slightly more grunty noise although the hp gains are hardly worth it (+1hp?) (plus this may invalidate an insurance claim, whereas the panel filter, unless you are the unluckiest person ever, wont).

Jimp may be right about the panel filter actually making an audible difference, as i dont know the mk5 layout, but the airbox where the panel filter sits is normally totally sealed.

[Omega]

Panel filter will achieve no noise. You wont get a decent sound due to the engine.

Cheapest way would be to drill the panel filter and drill the exhaust

or remove the cat and silencer from the exhaust making a 'straight' pipe.

Personally i just wouldnt bother, i always cringe at low engine cars installing 'power' or 'noise' mods. You will need to declare it, shooting up the insurance. Get a nice sound system instead to cover all the noise 

[2007GTI]

I pretty sure TT will tell you K & N are sh!te, I would try pipercross.

[Jimp]

I pretty sure TT will tell you K & N are sh!te, I would try pipercross.

All panel filters are sh!te if you over-oil them. I've had the Pipercross in for about 20k now with zero hassle. They are both basically the same so it's whichever website you like more to be honest 
The airbox on the 1.4 and 1.6 is completely sealed and located in the engine cover. When changing it the engine cover comes apart to give you access to it. You could drill the cover but you'd only get hot air from the engine. The way it is as stock has some heat resistance, though admittedly not a whole lot. There might be a little more noise if you fit a cold air feed into the air intake pipe but I can't be sure because I haven't done it.
Omega, drilling the panel filter? I hope you meant airbox