Racing line turbo elbow

[Tornado8]

I don't know about the power increase, but I can say the throttle response is so much better especially in conjunction with a "pedal box " (sport setting). I haven't noticed much more induction noise either

[7MAT]

Turbo inlet and muffler delete now on order from China, paid £84.90 delivered for both items at AliExpress.
https://www.aliexpress.com/

Delivery will probably take a few weeks, will post back once they arrive.

[monsta]

Turbo inlet and muffler delete now on order from China, paid £84.90 delivered for both items at AliExpress.
https://www.aliexpress.com/

Delivery should only take a week, will post back once they arrive.

Have you got links for these on Ali Express?  I'd definitely be interested in your thoughts, mostly the inlet pipe.

[7MAT]

Turbo inlet and muffler delete now on order from China, paid £84.90 delivered for both items at AliExpress.
https://www.aliexpress.com/

Delivery should only take a week, will post back once they arrive.

Have you got links for these on Ali Express?  I'd definitely be interested in your thoughts, mostly the inlet pipe.

Here you go;

VW Racing turbo inlet £37.84 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32839121999.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.EBwQSA

CTS Turbo inlet £36.38 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Turbo-Inlet-Pipe-golf-GTI-Golf-R-7-mk7-A3-S3-VRS-5E-TT-TTS/32813280812.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.W9qQyR

Turbo muffler delete £20.08 + p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Turbo-Muffler-Delete-A3-S3-8V-SEAT-MQB-Golf-MK7-GTi-1-8-2-0-TSi/32812446966.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.W9qQyR

Scorpion high flow downpipe inc 200cell Racing cats £175.33 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/MERTOP-Race-High-Flow-VW-Golf-MK7-GTI-2-0-TSI-Downpipe-2013/32789036666.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.Em9umS

Although delivery looks like it will take a few weeks, but hopefully be worth the wait.

Matt

[scanesare]

Here you go;

VW Racing turbo inlet £37.84 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32839121999.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.EBwQSA

CTS Turbo inlet £36.38 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Turbo-Inlet-Pipe-golf-GTI-Golf-R-7-mk7-A3-S3-VRS-5E-TT-TTS/32813280812.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.W9qQyR

Turbo muffler delete £20.08 + p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Turbo-Muffler-Delete-A3-S3-8V-SEAT-MQB-Golf-MK7-GTi-1-8-2-0-TSi/32812446966.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.W9qQyR

Scorpion high flow downpipe inc 200cell Racing cats £175.33 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/MERTOP-Race-High-Flow-VW-Golf-MK7-GTI-2-0-TSI-Downpipe-2013/32789036666.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.Em9umS

Although delivery looks like it will take a few weeks, but hopefully be worth the wait.

Matt

Personally I would never consider buying from such places anything more valuable than a cup holder, let alone anything for the engine bay. Also there is a lable of Racingline and item looks identical but it's advertised as Mertop Race, are those knock-offs or what? At 1/4 of the typical UK retail price I'd guess so.

[7MAT]

Here you go;

VW Racing turbo inlet £37.84 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32839121999.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.EBwQSA

CTS Turbo inlet £36.38 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Turbo-Inlet-Pipe-golf-GTI-Golf-R-7-mk7-A3-S3-VRS-5E-TT-TTS/32813280812.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.W9qQyR

Turbo muffler delete £20.08 + p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Turbo-Muffler-Delete-A3-S3-8V-SEAT-MQB-Golf-MK7-GTi-1-8-2-0-TSi/32812446966.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.W9qQyR

Scorpion high flow downpipe inc 200cell Racing cats £175.33 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/MERTOP-Race-High-Flow-VW-Golf-MK7-GTI-2-0-TSI-Downpipe-2013/32789036666.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.Em9umS

Although delivery looks like it will take a few weeks, but hopefully be worth the wait.

Matt

Personally I would never consider buying from such places anything more valuable than a cup holder, let alone anything for the engine bay. Also there is a lable of Racingline and item looks identical but it's advertised as Mertop Race, are those knock-offs or what? At 1/4 of the typical UK retail price I'd guess so.

Do you really think companies like VWR, CTS, Forge, APR etc manufacture all these products in-house?

They are all produced in China, Mertop manufacture parts for loads of different companies. These are not fakes or replicas but the actual items.

I,ve just got back from the SEMA show in Las Vegas, SEMA (specialist equipment market association) is a trade only show for the motoring industry and got the chance to visit some of these Chinese manufacturers in the flesh.

[monsta]

Here you go;

VW Racing turbo inlet £37.84 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32839121999.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.EBwQSA

CTS Turbo inlet £36.38 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Turbo-Inlet-Pipe-golf-GTI-Golf-R-7-mk7-A3-S3-VRS-5E-TT-TTS/32813280812.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.W9qQyR

Turbo muffler delete £20.08 + p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Turbo-Muffler-Delete-A3-S3-8V-SEAT-MQB-Golf-MK7-GTi-1-8-2-0-TSi/32812446966.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.W9qQyR

Scorpion high flow downpipe inc 200cell Racing cats £175.33 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/MERTOP-Race-High-Flow-VW-Golf-MK7-GTI-2-0-TSI-Downpipe-2013/32789036666.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.Em9umS

Although delivery looks like it will take a few weeks, but hopefully be worth the wait.

Matt

Personally I would never consider buying from such places anything more valuable than a cup holder, let alone anything for the engine bay. Also there is a lable of Racingline and item looks identical but it's advertised as Mertop Race, are those knock-offs or what? At 1/4 of the typical UK retail price I'd guess so.

Do you really think companies like VWR, CTS, Forge, APR etc manufacture all these products in-house?

They are all produced in China, Mertop manufacture parts for loads of different companies. These are not fakes or replicas but the actual items.

I,ve just got back from the SEMA show in Las Vegas, SEMA (specialist equipment market association) is a trade only show for the motoring industry and got the chance to visit some of these Chinese manufacturers in the flesh.

Tricky to know the legitimacy of these products but yeah of course everything is made in China.  Thanks for the links, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts when fitting these products. Turbo inlet is extremely tempting!

[scanesare]

Here you go;

VW Racing turbo inlet £37.84 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32839121999.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.EBwQSA

CTS Turbo inlet £36.38 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Turbo-Inlet-Pipe-golf-GTI-Golf-R-7-mk7-A3-S3-VRS-5E-TT-TTS/32813280812.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.W9qQyR

Turbo muffler delete £20.08 + p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Turbo-Muffler-Delete-A3-S3-8V-SEAT-MQB-Golf-MK7-GTi-1-8-2-0-TSi/32812446966.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.W9qQyR

Scorpion high flow downpipe inc 200cell Racing cats £175.33 +p&p
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/MERTOP-Race-High-Flow-VW-Golf-MK7-GTI-2-0-TSI-Downpipe-2013/32789036666.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.Em9umS

Although delivery looks like it will take a few weeks, but hopefully be worth the wait.

Matt

Personally I would never consider buying from such places anything more valuable than a cup holder, let alone anything for the engine bay. Also there is a lable of Racingline and item looks identical but it's advertised as Mertop Race, are those knock-offs or what? At 1/4 of the typical UK retail price I'd guess so.

Do you really think companies like VWR, CTS, Forge, APR etc manufacture all these products in-house?

They are all produced in China, Mertop manufacture parts for loads of different companies. These are not fakes or replicas but the actual items.

I,ve just got back from the SEMA show in Las Vegas, SEMA (specialist equipment market association) is a trade only show for the motoring industry and got the chance to visit some of these Chinese manufacturers in the flesh.

Well I know APR manufactures lots of their products in house, hence why they have bought related workshops over the years but made in China or not is not the point I made. The iPhone is also made in China and sold for 700$ while there is an identical looking device called probably ChiPhone sold for 150$ which is also made in China but they are not the same products. I don't disagree that there can be quality Chinese manufacturers my question was simply wether the VWR turbo inlet for example is indeed the original RacingLine item or a "like RacingLine" knock-off made from a cheaper alloy and worse tolerances? Does VWR certify those items to be the exact same items you can buy in the UK?

[7MAT]

Well I know APR manufactures lots of their products in house, hence why they have bought related workshops over the years but made in China or not is not the point I made. The iPhone is also made in China and sold for 700$ while there is an identical looking device called probably ChiPhone sold for 150$ which is also made in China but they are not the same products. I don't disagree that there can be quality Chinese manufacturers my question was simply wether the VWR turbo inlet for example is indeed the original RacingLine item or a "like RacingLine" knock-off made from a cheaper alloy and worse tolerances? Does VWR certify those items to be the exact same items you can buy in the UK?

During my long career I have been responsible for sourcing products made in the Far East for two completely different industries over the last 20 years.

The one thing in common is that all these companies like to let slip or brag who they make for. So, while I can’t 100% confirm if Mertop manufacture the VWR turbo inlet I can assume it’s a safe bet.

When a company like Mertop produces a new performance part, they will offer it out to suppliers. If one supplier does not buy exclusive rights, the product is made available to everyone and is simply private labelled. CTS buy in from China but also have the product packaged in a custom printed box with an instruction sheet etc which all adds to the cost.

I ordered the CTS ‘type’ turbo inlet as the same supplier also stocks the muffler delete, so saved on the postage. The product I expect to receive will be totally generic and not come with any instructions, custom printed box or be branded in any way.

Any way will update this thread when I receive the products, and if they are poorly made / or don’t fit I will let everyone know, but not worried in anyway.
 
I’ve seen some of the iPhone fakes, most of these are Android based with an OS that mimics Apple’s own and as for APR they seem to be having a tough time of late with their exhaust systems.
http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6640

[scanesare]

During my long career I have been responsible for sourcing products made in the Far East for two completely different industries over the last 20 years.

The one thing in common is that all these companies like to let slip or brag who they make for. So, while I can’t 100% confirm if Mertop manufacture the VWR turbo inlet I can assume it’s a safe bet.

When a company like Mertop produces a new performance part, they will offer it out to suppliers. If one supplier does not buy exclusive rights, the product is made available to everyone and is simply private labelled. CTS buy in from China but also have the product packaged in a custom printed box with an instruction sheet etc which all adds to the cost.

I ordered the CTS ‘type’ turbo inlet as the same supplier also stocks the muffler delete, so saved on the postage. The product I expect to receive will be totally generic and not come with any instructions, custom printed box or be branded in any way.

Any way will update this thread when I receive the products, and if they are poorly made / or don’t fit I will let everyone know, but not worried in anyway.
 
I’ve seen some of the iPhone fakes, most of these are Android based with an OS that mimics Apple’s own and as for APR they seem to be having a tough time of late with their exhaust systems.
http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6640

Re APR it is old news for anyone into VAG modding but good that you bring it up because it was precisely after that "scandal" I believe that APR acquired the means to do their exhausts themselves - that was what I was referring to by making stuff in-house. Now, that is a good example also in the sense that you can only imagine, if a subcontractor cheats the main company in the way it manufactures their items as in the APR case, what is possible when they are free from meeting any requirements in the case of knock-offs... As I am in the design and manufacturing business myself, I know that going with tight tolerances and TUV certified alloys can make quite a difference in price and we often get suggestions from workshops to switch to other "similar" alloys they have in stock for a lower price in exchange when we are pushing for price reductions. Maybe nothing will ever happen to a turbo elbow made from a slightly different material than VWR designed it for but you get the point. Out of curiosity do we know if VWR is supposed to make their stuff in UK/Europe/China? I mean officially.

Also, I can't see how cheaping out on a 100$ item for a 30K car makes sense for all the manufacturing uncertainties and lack of official support/warranty it brings but maybe it's just my back-ground and experience to blame for this.

PS. I agree the iPhone example can not be a 100% analogy as the OS remains a big difference that can't be copied but I was focusing on the hardware similarities.