2013 VW GTI: Episode 50: Unitronic TSI Cold Air Intake Installation and Review

[@bers94]

Just purchased a 2011 GTI a little over a week ago and I can honestly say your channel has been beyond helpful. Great DIYs and honest opinions GREAT VIDEOS !!! +SUBBED

[@LastHumansGarage]

thanks bro

[@LastHumansGarage]

Update which was also posted on the forums. At first I couldn't really sense any added power on this intake. But one day, last Sunday, it finally just clicked. All of a sudden I felt the power clearly, coming on right around 3000-4000 range. For some reason I wasn't feeling it at first. If you are DSG, you have to be in manual mode to feel this intake properly. D mode just makes it feel like a power loss because it shifts way too early.

[@HumbleWhiteDude]

Hey the stupid reducer that goes into the turbo inlet. How did you get that to stay it's driving me insane that and there are some lines in the back there that disrupt the opening. Pain in the asd

[@LastHumansGarage]

Chris Haley yes those lines are very close to the turbo inlet. You have just enough room for the hose and a clamp in between.

[@HumbleWhiteDude]

I managed to get it to work with different clamps that made life much easier. Now I need to trim the silicone that leads to the filter so it doesn't rub against the engine cover.

[@HumbleWhiteDude]

LastHumansGarage Also did the PCV inlet on the intake ever leak oil?

[@LastHumansGarage]

Chris Haley oh of course.. never use the stock clamp, its impossible. mine just barely doesnt rub., but its close.

[@Kilgor_Trout]

Thanks!

[@LastHumansGarage]

wait, you just gave me a donation?? THANKS bro!! I bestow your nickname as... WarMachine1000.

[@Kilgor_Trout]

Thank you for a careful and deliberate documentation of this install. ready to DIY now

[@LastHumansGarage]

You are welcome, good luck, this was a decade ago, but that intake was cool. check the rest of the playlist, i think i made a under hood sounds video of that one back in the day..

[@getawayred]

Hey i have a buddy that has extra blinker fluid if you need some. Noticed you didn't use your blinker at 15:48 man that sucks i'm seeing more and more people on the road without blinker fluid.

[@LastHumansGarage]

lol

[@sethc8559]

You should do a review and installation of the usb port that DREXEL Apex offers.

[@ricky3277]

My man all jacked up, slow down on the monster energy 😂

[@LastHumansGarage]

i never had a monster in my life. but this was a decade ago when i was young

[@nudope3799]

Could a loose hose clamp on the turbo end of the pipe cause big loss in turbo spool time in "D"? That's what im experiencing. The screw on the clamp seemed to get stuck at a certain point and it didn't tighten down all the way. Also, again on the turbo end, the flexible connector hose hits my coolant lines pretty bad did this happen to you? My coolant reservoir and water pump was replaced at a VW dealership maybe they used different style coolant lines.

[@bosniantank]

Do you think this will fit a golf TDI 2.0? Or will it be major modifications?

[@LastHumansGarage]

i think the TDI is a fairly different intake design.

[@jasonkent3427]

I like the headlights in this video what kind are those shopping around for a set like those

[@LastHumansGarage]

jason kent stock headlights

[@mike51936]

Thank you for the great video I used it to install my Unitronic intake on my 2014 GTI. I was wondering though, after installing my intake my engine is revving up 300-600 RPM's above normal when idle and will fluctuate when driving. Do you have any idea what would cause this to happen? Possibly the mass airflow sensor?

[@LastHumansGarage]

Michael Diodoro possibly that or maybe a leak somewhere on your install. which usually happens at that back tough area if anywhere.

[@mike51936]

Thank you I had to tighten up the clamp that came with the intake. I'm going to buy some different clamps these keep coming lose.

[@sasca854]

Mine came with a couple of missing bits according to the parts manifest. Made sure to check before I installed, whew! Unitronic is shipping them today or tomorrow, but my experience thus far hasn't been as perfect as yours xD

[@LastHumansGarage]

Been a long time since I worked with Unitronic. But they were awesome and i'd prob give them my business again if I ever got another VW.

[@keongkeh9211]

Heya, I know this was a long time ago, but did your day time running lights ever go out? Mine have gone out and they are saying I have to replace the whole headlight. Cheers

[@LastHumansGarage]

nope, but if you mean those little diamond lights, ya they are part of the headlight.

[@williamfernandom2210]

Hey man question, when you have the intake where you running the DV+ too? I was told with it, it would eliminate the "flute" noise from the intake and get more "flutter" from the DV.

[@LastHumansGarage]

in that particular setup, i did have the DV+ and it did eliminate my flute noise IIRC. But I might not have ever had the flute noise with this intake at all.

[@gabii69]

Nice video as usual. A quick question, how to clean the filter? It's a dry filter so i didn't want to just wash it off. I had to make sure first.

[@alyamoney]

Do YOU have an answer yet? I think there is a special spray for cleaning them but I'm not sure

[@LastHumansGarage]

dood u just wash it with soapy water. make sure all soaps gone. then let it dry a long time, at least overnight.

[@alyamoney]

+LastHumansGarage That's embarrassingly easy.. :/ thanks! Big fan of your videos, btw! I bought a Unitronic intake (for my mk6) because of your reviews.

[@MrOmar0021]

Those the 2016 Gen 3 Gli need the sai filter? And if it those and by accident I pulled my sai hose off how can I re-install it and thanks for the vids !! Nice GTI!!!

[@LastHumansGarage]

thanks!

[@jasonkent3427]

Did you notice any loss of low end. I love the low end grunt it's very street friendly in my area lots of hilly roads

[@LastHumansGarage]

jason kent yes. but not nearly as much as all the other intakes i tried. you might try just the front half of that intake if low end is a concern. skipping that huge 3" rear pipe might help.

[@jasonkent3427]

Thanks

[@rajvosa71000]

Did you do anything with that SAI filter or you just left it like that? it kinda looks ugly just hanging lite that.

[@LastHumansGarage]

+rajvosa71000 left it. guess i had an ugly car.

[@rajvosa71000]

+LastHumansGarage Didnt say you had an ugly car lol. It's just the way that SAI filter looks ugly just hanging in there. Anyway, I hid mine under the tray and zip tied it.

[@filthybandz349]

+rajvosa71000 that sai filter ur talkin about the filter doesent have to tie into the mass airflow sensor?......because the original breather box has all that running together......i dont wanna tear my shit up

[@nolifedangles8998]

I would have cut the hose below it a few inches and then tape it back together no?

[@VWGTI2013]

Do you wash your engine? It`s so clean!

[@LastHumansGarage]

not really. California is just a clean good weather state.

[@johndebonis5684]

Would this be easier with two people ?

[@sirgriffinman]

You know this video totally sold me on this intake... BUT I just went and checked the price. I just cannot justify the price of this intake I would buy it no questions for maybe $250 but $400 is just way too much money for what you are getting. Doesn't make any sense. I am not just saying this, but I worked in a fabrication shop could build this for under 100 bucks and maybe 4 hours of time to do a good job. So even if labor was 25 bucks and hour thats 200 bucks then maybe charge 300 that is a 50 percent profit. Now these are produced in mass quantities in a manufacturing facility which lowers the cost a lot just cant see them making 100 percent or more profit. No thanks.

[@LastHumansGarage]

The full APR intake is about $100 more than this one, (omg, APR raised their prices $50 for the set actually, now its $150 more!!) www.goapr.com/products/intake_carbonio_20tsi.html and you must not have heard of the new ECS tuning intake which is $650. www.ecstuning.com/News/VW_Volkswagen_MKVI_GTI_Kohlefaser_Luft_Technik_carbon_air_technology_air_induction_intake_system_fiber_filter_silicone_2010_2011_2012_2013_2014/ES2739920/ So in reality, this intake is a crazy bargain. Not to mention the best fitting piece of hardware I have ever come across.

[@sirgriffinman]

Let me add I do like the intake amd ib realize the others are more $ I guess I disagree with the industry as a whole charging what they do. But I trust that if you day this is av quality product then it is. It's hard for me to justify those prices with my skills in a metal shop. I know there are plenty of people that can justify this cost. Please don't let my previous post deter anyone from making a purchase. Quality stuff here.

[@sirgriffinman]

And wow I didn't realize how much more the other guys were charging. This is definitely a bargain. Maybe I should start making my own and selling them.

[@davisgreen7930]

Michael Griffin You cannot R&D, Build , prep and paint this in 4 hours. You could build a raw terrible looking product in a few hours, but you would still need all of the necessary parts for the MAF mount and CBFA connection. You will come out on the losing end. If this is too pricey, you shoudl look at the P-Flo intake.

[@sirgriffinman]

Davis Green actually I could I have built more extravagant kits in that amount of time.

[@dav31078]

You don't get the flute noise. Which DV revision do you have installed? Are you running the DV+ spring?

[@LastHumansGarage]

I still run the GFB DV+. I don't know what flute noise you are talking about, I have never heard it. Running the GFB with all springs intact.

[@dav31078]

Ah. There's a good chance without the DV+, Rev D, or a DV relocate that the stock DV will will make a whine under WOT. I have that issue but hope it will be solved with the DV relocate this week.

[@drgnzadiel101]

David Campbell i got revision D and it does that noise. I hate it. after watching lasthumansgarage's vid on the dv+, i might go for it soon. im more worried about the o rings though :/

[@LastHumansGarage]

Zadiel Vazquez ill be getting another GFB DV+ soon.. that's how good it is..

[@JavierGomez-lh8uj]

Hey I know it's been a while ago since you had this but was this intake carb legal? I can't seem to find anything online which leads me to believe it's not.

[@LastHumansGarage]

naw dude..

[@JavierGomez-lh8uj]

Damn. Is that why you took it off? I seen in later videos you kept changing air intakes.

[@speke91]

Is this intake available in the UK or do have to buy from US it looks amazing

[@LastHumansGarage]

I know Unitronic has other dealers aside from just the USA. They are a Canada company after all.

[@mdo5280]

Do you think this intake will fit an mk6 gli? And if so can I run the apr tune with it?

[@yankab451]

What are the upgrades and stages on this car?

[@LastHumansGarage]

hard to say, it changes every month. at this moment, i have no intake. the car is stage 2 tune and stage 1 DSG tune.

[@yankab451]

So why did you remove the unitronic intake?

[@LastHumansGarage]

Yanka B going a different direction soon. parts are on order.

[@yankab451]

in this video I heard a really nice turbo sound.? Was that a bov ? Or dsg software tune?

[@LastHumansGarage]

Yanka B no, ive never had a BOV. VW's don't really use those. And my GFB DV+ doesnt really change the sound. It was just the intake making most of that noise.

[@coyote2427]

Nice video.. Can u tell where u install that little filter an what is it for.

[@LastHumansGarage]

If I remember.. you only use the filter on cbfa engines.. cuz u have an air hose coming in to your air box. But non cbfa engines don't have that hose.

[@choobplaya]

what is the little tube that is connected to the front of the stock intake box? I have a 2012 GTI and my car doesn't have one.. however my friends 2012 GTI does. Same model/style and everything.. what is the purpose of it?

[@LastHumansGarage]

you are lucky. you have a CCTA engine, your friend has a CBFA engine. The CBFa has a very loud air pump on start up. Your car does not. Emissions..

[@sirgriffinman]

Awesome video!! I really like your opinions on the way things should fit and I consider myself to be of the same mindset. I will be interested to find out what catback you eventually go with! :) Also I would like to get a tune but I am a little hesitant about warranty issues. What is your advice or input on failure rates and what would you do if your transmission were to fail or turbo or something? Have you thought about that or dealt with that in the past? Thanks and enjoy the new intake!

[@LastHumansGarage]

I would take off as many mods as I could and go into warranty. I can probably go back to stock tune with stock downpipe and stock intake. And stock DV. Everything would be stock.

[@sirgriffinman]

LastHumansGarage I know you have used APR in the past. I have a suggestion for a new video. APR has a 30 day trial on there tunes, would you consider trying out APR and doing a direct comparison with your Unitronic tune? I think it would make for a great video and I would appreciate your opinion on the pros and cons of each in driveability, features, and performance.

[@LastHumansGarage]

Michael Griffin naw.. i wouldnt do that. i didnt even have the money to lay out for this intake, so i charged it instead. switching tunes is way more headache than its worth. they're all close enough. just find one close to you.

[@LastHumansGarage]

LastHumansGarage i almost tried out a DM tune box for a special deal but they just couldn't get it together for months and I finally gave up.

[@sirgriffinman]

Fair enough. I am close to both. Do you have a current preference

[@wazup4297]

Do you need a tune for the intake??

[@LastHumansGarage]

for just an intake only, i say no.

[@Onthewater763]

Is the filter re usable ? Meaning can it be cleaned and oiled ?

[@LastHumansGarage]

no its a dry filter design as i remember. this was a long time ago

[@Onthewater763]

I emailed unitronics, They said simply soak it in a bath of luke warm water with a bit of dishwashing soap, rinse and let dry!

[@eloymendoza1]

I have a gti 2013 i just bought it. What is the best way to change the oil thanks

[@LastHumansGarage]

i must have a few oil change videos on mk6 gtis..

[@michaelzepeda5785]

Do you think this would work on a jetta tsi se 1.4T?

[@BenjaminKarslund]

What about all the dust and dirt you'll get in an open filter like this? It will hurt the engine with time, right?

[@LastHumansGarage]

sure

[@BenjaminKarslund]

Matthew No what I mean is the air filter is no longer in a box. That's what makes it open. In a standard engine bay your air filter is closed in a box. This filter is now open, and will get much more dirty.

[@timjoo5690]

I don't think that's too much a concern. The factory intake has a cover over the top of the filter, but with the hood down, it doesn't make a lot of difference. A lot of aftermarket intakes use re-usable filters, so you might have to rinse it out every so often.

[@timjoo5690]

I think what he means is that you can see the filter when you open the hood. I don't think it makes a lot of diffrence as the top of the filter is already covered by the engine.

[@emameso]

Did you had an aftermarket blowoff?

[@MrJoepeps]

what DV do you have on there? I was looking at getting this Unitronic intake but it doesn't come with the DV... I think it shows it the beginning of the video that it comes with it... unless i'm mistaken :S... I know you can buy the relocation seperate

[@LastHumansGarage]

i run a GFB DV+ which I did a previous video on. It still works fine so I keep running it. My car seems faster with it, over the stock DV valve. It is in the same stock location. I don't like the added mess of DV relocation.

[@MrJoepeps]

LastHumansGarage ahh ok thank... I seen the DV video. so your still running that one.. cool so whats that smaller filter at the beginning of the video? and the last thing you installed :S

[@LastHumansGarage]

MrJoepeps thats for CBFA engines only. That pipe normally attaches to your stock airbox. If you don't have that pipe, you don't need the added expense of the CBFA filter.

[@MrJoepeps]

ok thanks :) keep up the great work

[@Spicytunafreak83]

Hey Plat, I was wondering why you had swapped out this intake? Was this just a loaner from Unitronic?

[@LastHumansGarage]

I can't remember. I think it was one of those times I was sure i was trading the car in, so i sold a few things. Then I changed my mind later, but the intake was sold by then. So I bought the p-flo/apexi setup I still run these days. The only difference is the Unitronic had more noise than the one I run now. You need to add a rubber isolator somewhere if you run the Uni. It needs some give somewhere to quell vibration.

[@Spicytunafreak83]

LastHumansGarage Thanks for the quick response Plat. Thinking about switching to Unitronic from my APR, but always wondered why you didn't keep it, with all the great reviews you gave it. Anyways, I really appreciate all the informative videos you've provided and when I have time, I'll try to help you out with your logo =D. Original guy did a ok job, but it is obvious he's not a graphic designer.

[@LastHumansGarage]

Spicytunafreak83 i like my logo a lot, a good friend/subscriber did it all for me for free. but i'll always welcome new ideas and designs, thanks. btw.. its plac.. not plat.

[@Spicytunafreak83]

LastHumansGarage haha sorry about that. for some reason I always thought it was plat.

[@LastHumansGarage]

Spicytunafreak83 yes, plac, as seen in this t-shirt: skreened.com/lasthumansgarage/the-plac-shirt

[@alexdonaldson51]

Does this kit come with that small filter? Because online it doesn't show it.

[@LastHumansGarage]

i cant remember. i think i used one i had got from another kit.

[@LastHumansGarage]

the accessory is right here on their intake page... www.getunitronic.com/parts/accessories/sai-adapter-and-breather-filter

[@alexdonaldson51]

@@LastHumansGarage ah thanks:)

[@MelodicMurder]

Sounds just like my 2012 apr stage 1 mk6 with the apr intake.

[@Jimbo-SliceGJL]

could u a video o how u installed your radar and rear view mirror bracket thanx

[@LastHumansGarage]

+jim jones that video is already somewhere on the channel

[@Jimbo-SliceGJL]

Cool thanks

[@LastHumansGarage]

+jim jones prob this one, hard wire a detector. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnXSkIOwgcl0bac

[@Jimbo-SliceGJL]

Thanks

[@Applefirebird]

Sorry to bother you but how do I remove the breather hose? Please help

[@LastHumansGarage]

very hard and people break clips. but you have to pinch all the releasers and pull.

[@Applefirebird]

Thank you for the help. By the way great videos.

[@mattburgess2]

Nice video man! Good job!

[@MrMoist-oy3uq]

If you are trying to get the hose off of the back where the turbo is located DO NOT USE THE TOOTHPICK IDEA. A toothpick could go down into your turbo. Make sure to plug the whole down to the turbo if you do use toothpicks to take off the hose.

[@LastHumansGarage]

good tip

[@Silbaru]

Hey boss what can you say about the Apr carbonio intake?

[@LastHumansGarage]

meh.. its decent. never liked the way it fit tho. a lot of people make a support bracket for the middle area.

[@imeffingurmom]

did you install a bov (Aftermarket) or is that stock

[@LastHumansGarage]

probably stock. dont remember if i have a GFB DV+ installed at that time, but that doesnt sound that different anyway.

[@junhochen6263]

Oh, man. You live in Foster city. I always hang out there but I never see you.

[@LastHumansGarage]

I never see you either. I see a few CSG GTI's around town though. I have seen 2 white ones parked on Edgewater near the plaza though.

[@hksfanatic]

really great video man. keep up with it. cheers bro

[@LastHumansGarage]

thanks, i took the time to try and make it a very accurate video.

[@PrivatePeterson]

How do you get the stock silicone piece connected to the turbo off???

[@LastHumansGarage]

patience... and making sure the clamp is loose. if its the oem clamp it sucks.. a long nose spark plug wire pliers helps a lot. and don't let it snap free or it will take your eye out.

[@sevyn8038]

Do I need the sai, is it better etc....? Thanks

[@LastHumansGarage]

the mini filter? you should use it if you have a car which has that tube on the intake. just so dirt doesnt get in there.

[@sevyn8038]

LastHumansGarage okay I will check if I have it, is it rare on 2012 gti’s?

[@LastHumansGarage]

@@sevyn8038 been a while, but i think the "cbfa" engines will have a sai, and "ccta" ones will not.

[@sevyn8038]

LastHumansGarage alright thanks for the info, will look into it, last question is CTS intake or uni, they look so similar and probably have minimal difference

[@LastHumansGarage]

@@sevyn8038 Uni is much higher quality build than CTS. but if you put cheap things on your car, go CTS.

[@Kyle-jj2oz]

So does this work just as APR stage 1 + 2 intake?

[@LastHumansGarage]

I guess you could say that. They are pretty different designs, one sealed and one open. The Carbonio has all kinds of fitment issues such as leaking PCV bung, brake reservoir contact, and extra bracketry needed to prevent sagging. Since they are almost the same price, I see the Unitronic intake as a far better buy.

[@Kyle-jj2oz]

Thanks a lot. Love how much detail you give.. just bought my mk6 already trying to build a little stage 2 daily driver.

[@LastHumansGarage]

LastHumansGarage scratch that, the APR is $150 more.. not EVEN worth it.

[@chrislemley4925]

LastHumansGarage Hey! So I have a stock 2013 gti with this exact intake and no other mods unfortunatly I only hear this intake while driving and building boost around 3-4 k rpms I cannot hear the intake while sitting in the car just revving it at a stop , at a stop in neutral here is no noise, do I need a tune to hear more? Or is there something wrong with my car ? No CEL or anything just had the car fully inspected and no issues, intake sounds good while shifting in the higher rpms , but I was expecting more noise from this intake , thank you

[@dav31078]

You got one! I was hoping you'd finally get it. lol

[@LastHumansGarage]

i been trying to get synchronized with Unitronic on this intake for a year. I had pictures of it back when it was in beta testing a year ago.

[@outforaripper]

any hit in fuel economy?

[@LastHumansGarage]

+Michael Melone only if you drive it harder. which most people would.

[@outforaripper]

Haha true. I had the cts turbo one for a weekebd. Mike dropped even with normal highway cruising. Took it off after the track day for reasons but plan to put it back on soon.

[@s4889]

nice intake. nice sounds. not quite but not loud. it was my first choose, but it's kinda expensive. also i got my neuspeed pflow cuz it with carb sticker.

[@LastHumansGarage]

p-flo is probably my 2nd choice in intakes, but this one is far more refined. and if i was rich, i wouldnt mind trying the ECS carbon intake which is $650.

[@s4889]

yeah. ive seen ecs intake recently, it looks very nice. no doubt the best intake ive seen so far. however, for an intake, it's kinda expensive lol . by the way, what do you think about the koni fsd shock kit?

[@LastHumansGarage]

songyun xie i stopped messing with suspensions right as koni was coming out with the FSD many years ago. the last Koni i had was a Koni red or something. I preferred the Bilstein HD yellows on the same car. but i ended up with KYB AGX adjustables on the same car yet again.

[@s4889]

LastHumansGarage OK. one more question if you do mind XD. Im in uni stg1 and not gonna change it. but i want to find a dp will not cause CEL. people say awe catted combines a o2 spacer can "fix the problem". is that true. for us, CBFA engine is different from ccta. that means any catted dp, combines a spacer will be fine? i dont really care about which brand, maybe they make different sounds? the most important point is never cause CEL. any suggestion ? some options ?

[@LastHumansGarage]

songyun xie ive seen all your posts. there is no guarantee ever with any downpipe. every car is different.

[@muhammadsufian426]

R8 spark plug coil?

[@LastHumansGarage]

yes, but i sold those a long time ago. they looked good, but that's about it.

[@JobeMinacum]

It's a shame they don't incorporate the factory cold air vent from the grille

[@LastHumansGarage]

+JobeMinacum true

[@MrJoepeps]

The new ones do :)

[@dvilleonthemap99]

@@MrJoepeps which one?

[@MrJoepeps]

@@dvilleonthemap99 mk7 and 7.5

[@jscricca]

Another great review. I can't wait for my 2015 GTI. Where in CA are you?

[@LastHumansGarage]

SF Bay Area

[@jscricca]

Ah great to know. I am moving their shortly and hope to have a 2015 GTI PP when it is released.

[@LastHumansGarage]

jscricca sweet. maybe you can come by some day and i can video the differences.

[@Mr.Enigmatik]

Any discount codes?

[@LastHumansGarage]

+MrScottcoop no, this was well over a year ago. but tell john plac sent you and maybe he will give you 5 or 10% or something.

[@bluesuit3]

I have watched numerous of your videos on the GTI. unfortunately my GTI was totaled out and I wanted to know if you could assist me or know of anyone who is the market for an SPM 3inch cat back exhaust and a Unitronic cold air intake?

[@chrisstuebbe3412]

+bluesuit3 what year?

[@bluesuit3]

I had 2 2012 and 2013 I,m sure they'll fit 14 and 15.

[@chrisstuebbe3412]

+bluesuit3 where you located? I have a 13 lol

[@bluesuit3]

sorry about that So. Cal in Corona

[@chrisstuebbe3412]

+bluesuit3 sheet I'm in sc lol what did you want for it?

[@TheWholeBurrito]

thanks for the great tutorial!

[@lowpez55]

dude!! Nice I love unitronic products. I went with an autotech.com CAI. I found my leak I had a cracked vaccum hose. I got a 2011 gti ccta

[@LastHumansGarage]

Ya I'm an admitted Unitronic fanboy I guess, they have taken good care of me and gave me good deals. My engine and tranny tune are Unitronic. And then my downpipe and intake are also Unitronic hardware.

[@vdubucom]

PATIENCE!!!!