Stock horsepower:162.79
Stock torque:170.16
EvoMS horsepower:168.32
EvoMS torque:178.84
Diameter: 2.5"
Price:$695.00
Contact info:Evolution Motorsports, 480/317-9911, www.evoms.com
The EvoMS system combined the best of both worlds; it was shiny and it made power. It's constructed from high-quality, mandrel-bent, T-304 stainless steel tubing for unrestricted flow. It also has a highly polished finish and aesthetically pleasing welds. This system was one of the nicest looking if you're into the whole shiny thing.
Fitting was fairly painless, and the biggest challenge was deciding which soda to drink after we were done. The system tucked up neatly and had a really nice sleeper-style tip that looks damn-near stock at first glance. EvoMS also utilizes the shell-style clamps which we love, if you haven't guessed by now.
The system had a pleasant grumble at idle, but nothing hinted at the sound it would make at wide-open throttle, where it had a beautiful roar. There was even a slight burble on deceleration, which sounded pretty mean.
The system made 168.32hp at peak and had a healthy gain over the stock system before the VGI (Variable Geometry Intake) switchover point -- again proving that peak horsepower shouldn't be your only concern. Do us a favor; if you have a chance to peer at a dyno chart, look at everything else other than the peak number. Peak numbers are just for bragging; real gains show up everywhere else.
Stock horsepower: 162.83
Stock torque: 171.95
Supersprint horsepower: 169.36
Supersprint torque: 180.84
Diameter:2.25"
Price: $667.25
Contact info: Supersprint, 800/239-7232, www.supersprintna.com
When it comes to top-notch exhaust systems, Supersprint is near the top of the list. We're not saying it's a favorite of ours, but we've seen what it can do on newer and older cars, including our project Scirocco. And while it can cost more than other exhausts, Supersprint has proven to be money well spent. As such, when we cracked open the packaging, we were again pleased with the welding and muffler, which featured oval tips introduced to the USA last year.
Installing the two-piece system was a breeze, with everything bolting together with little swearing involved. While the tips initially seemed large, we soon discovered they suited the GTI, and though some of us have an aversion to very shiny tips, these actually looked good on the black car.
With the car strapped to the dyno, the exhaust put down a nice-sounding 169.36whp, which placed it in the company of 2.5" exhausts. The torque stood firm, with the unit producing 180.84 lb-ft of torque to the wheels.
Stock horsepower: 162.83
Stock torque: 171.95
Techtonics horsepower: 170.28
Techtonics torque: 181.10
Diameter: 2.5"
Price: $360.00
Contact info: Techtonics Tuning, 503/843-2700, www.techtonicstuning.com
There are a few companies out there that take real pride in their exhausts, and Techtonics Tuning is one of them. No matter what VW you have -- even if it's a Mk2 with a VR6 swap -- chances are Techtonics has an application for you.
For this test, Techtonics didn't send its most expensive 2.5" stainless steel unit, but its aluminized 2.5" exhaust instead, which utilizes a black Flowmaster muffler. The Techtonics unit also included hangers that double as pipe clamps. While seemingly more involved, fitting was actually so straightforward that we never skipped a beat.
Unlike almost every other system we tested, Techtonics was far from flashy. It looked like it meant business. Even the tip, which was simply a piece of tubing clamped to the muffler, didn't overwhelm.
Once the three dyno pulls were completed, the exhaust told us a different story. Rather than spending money on the packaging, it was obvious Techtonics' cash went into flow design, as the system's 170.28whp and 181.10 lb-ft of torque meant this bland-looking pile of pipes was only 1.06 horses off the top system.
Thermal Research & Development
Stock horsepower: 162.83
Stock torque: 171.95
Thermal horsepower: 165.74
Thermal torque: 170.34
Diameter: 2.25"
Price: $585.95
Contact info: Thermal Research & Development, 661/723-2872, www.thermalrd.com
Thermal Research & Development is a company we're familiar with after it helped us pull some extra ponies from our Mk3 project Jetta GLX. So we were keen to see how much power the Thermal exhaust would free from the Mk4 VR6 12v. The construction is similar to the one on our old project car -- using 2.25" tubing, smooth bends, a shiny muffler and sparkly tips.
Installing the two-piece unit was straightforward. It used a flange and a gasket as opposed to a clamp-down setup, making the unit a breeze to mount. Sliding the muffler and piping over the rear beam required a little fidgeting, but nothing a couple of monkeys couldn't figure out.
The power output of this piece was 165.74hp and 170.34 lb-ft to the wheels, which put Thermal's exhaust on par with many of the 2.25" units. As expected, the sound was very nice. The car revved to redline without breaking our eardrums (possibly thanks to the center resonator).