Carbonio review

[luvadubdub]

I'm going to post up my experience after installing the Carbonio in my R today. I found very little info before deciding it was the route I wanted to go. Having installed P-flo's on my past 3 cars, I decided I was tired of the sound and also no longer interested in ditching the factory engine cover. Couldn't be happier. The car definitely sounds a little throatier and I instantly noticed a difference the first time I put my foot in it. It definitely improved throttle response and it feels smoother throughout the power band. Could I have gotten more power with one of the competitors products? Absolutely. That being said its exactly what I was after and am 100% satisfied. It's also extremely beautifully built. A little under hood porn.

[webcrawlr]

I was hoping my thread would spark more discussion on actual differences between all the intakes out there but it never happened. I also noticed better than expected results with the Carbonio. It might not be a top performing intake but until I see actual before/after logs or dynos for the others I'm happy with my choice.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...t-name-here-gt

[JRMGTI]

I'm going to post up my experience after installing the Carbonio in my R today. I found very little info before deciding it was the route I wanted to go. Having installed P-flo's on my past 3 cars, I decided I was tired of the sound and also no longer interested in ditching the factory engine cover. Couldn't be happier. The car definitely sounds a little throatier and I instantly noticed a difference the first time I put my foot in it. It definitely improved throttle response and it feels smoother throughout the power band. Could I have gotten more power with one of the competitors products? Absolutely. That being said its exactly what I was after and am 100% satisfied. It's also extremely beautifully built. A little under hood porn.

Happy with mine also.

[JasonN]

I had one since March up until a few days ago and loved it! Quiet, still got to keep engine cover on, more turbo whoosh, and obviously more airflow. I'm 2+ and thought the VWR may be more beneficial. Love that too! Can hear the air being sucked in much more now.

[BoomTschak]

I had one since March up until a few days ago and loved it! Quiet, still got to keep engine cover on, more turbo whoosh, and obviously more airflow. I'm 2+ and thought the VWR may be more beneficial. Love that too! Can hear the air being sucked in much more now.

How much of a sound difference was it, going from the Carbonio to the VWR? I'm planning on going Stage 2+ and leaning towards the Carbonio to keep things as "civil" as possible.

[.:R-Newbie]

I just got my VWR today... my biggest pet peeve is the Engine Cover... but my shop is gonna try and see if a Passat TSI cover will fit or if they can dremel down my stock cover and keep it clean. I hate the no cover look!!!!

[MersR]

How much of a sound difference was it, going from the Carbonio to the VWR? I'm planning on going Stage 2+ and leaning towards the Carbonio to keep things as "civil" as possible.

I am APR stage 2+ with the carbonio. I can tell you that you still hear the whoosh but it quickly gets taken over by the exhaust note which is awesome. I just got the APR downpipe with the stock catback. I'm wondering what gains are there available if I upgraded my catback to an aftermarket 3" one.

[seebrentrun]

Thanks for the review. I've previously spent hours pouring through threads trying to pick an intake, and eventually decided to go 1+ with only a HPFP. Now I'm gonna add carbonio based on your short courtesy review and know I made the right choice.

[JasonN]

How much of a sound difference was it, going from the Carbonio to the VWR? I'm planning on going Stage 2+ and leaning towards the Carbonio to keep things as "civil" as possible.

The VWR has more suction sound at mid throttle. Under light throttle it isn't noticable. Under heavy throttle all I hear are the pipes (Milltek non-res catted TB). I'm gonna throw it back on the dyno in a few days to see the difference between them both.

[MersR]

Thanks for the review. I've previously spent hours pouring through threads trying to pick an intake, and eventually decided to go 1+ with only a HPFP. Now I'm gonna add carbonio based on your short courtesy review and know I made the right choice.

Id look at tyrol mikes build. He did some testing on carbonio intake

The VWR has more suction sound at mid throttle. Under light throttle it isn't noticable. Under heavy throttle all I hear are the pipes (Milltek non-res catted TB). I'm gonna throw it back on the dyno in a few days to see the difference between them both.

Sweet. Let me know what the results are. You gonna post on this thread or start a new one?

[batman25]

Mine will be here tomorrow. I might wait to install it though.

[BoomTschak]

The VWR has more suction sound at mid throttle. Under light throttle it isn't noticable. Under heavy throttle all I hear are the pipes (Milltek non-res catted TB). I'm gonna throw it back on the dyno in a few days to see the difference between them both.

Thanks for the info. For those that went from the Carbonio to the VWR (or similar) did you experience a noticible difference in performance/driving experience.

[MersR]

Thanks for the info. For those that went from the Carbonio to the VWR (or similar) did you experience a noticible difference in performance/driving experience.

^^ would like to know also

[DaLeadBull]

So, is the Carbonio sufficient for Stage 1+?

[JasonN]

Thanks for the info. For those that went from the Carbonio to the VWR (or similar) did you experience a noticible difference in performance/driving experience.

A noticable difference in performance? It's probably minimal. On paper yes. Driving experience, personally I love the sound! It compliments the sound of the car. I was using Shell 105 fuel the last few weeks. Now THATS noticable.

[MersR]

A noticable difference in performance? It's probably minimal. On paper yes. Driving experience, personally I love the sound! It compliments the sound of the car. I was using Shell 105 fuel the last few weeks. Now THATS noticable.

Did you ever do another dyno with the carbonio and then with the vwr just to compare? If so, was there a difference?

[JasonN]

Did you ever do another dyno with the carbonio and then with the vwr just to compare? If so, was there a difference?

Funny because was planning on going this morning but got lazy. I suspect its less than a 10hp increase but we'll see.

[MersR]

Funny because was planning on going this morning but got lazy. I suspect its less than a 10hp increase but we'll see.

Yea man. Definitely like to know. I'm stage 2+ with the carbonio, hpfp, and Apr downpipe and stock catback. Id like to know if there is a significant amount of HP I'm leaving on the table by using the carbonio. I also maybe leaving some with the stock catback.

[batman25]

Just installed the intake this week. There is a noticeable difference of airflow and sound. I can feel a slight increase in power in the mid range.

Overall I am happy with look and fitment. I might change to a different intake if I go 2+.

My only question is did VW design the hole in the stock snorkel to cool something else? Airflow over the Transmission maybe.

[ESA31.8T]

Just installed the intake this week. There is a noticeable difference of airflow and sound. I can feel a slight increase in power in the mid range.

Overall I am happy with look and fitment. I might change to a different intake if I go 2+.

My only question is did VW design the hole in the stock snorkel to cool something else? Airflow over the Transmission maybe.

I believe that is there for water to escape. If you hit a huge puddle of water it will help divert the water from flooding the intake.

[BoomTschak]

I installed the Carbonio with the RSC Turboback exhaust yesterday. Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the sound of the intake. No excess intake/DV noise, it's pretty discreet. I also got a chance to ride in a Stage 1+ R with the VWR Intake. The (intake) sound difference compared to the Carbonio was apparent right away. You do hear it "suck" more audible and the DV is a lot more upfront. But, as others said, the VWR is loud, but in a good way!

The turboback exhaust system on the other hand is far less discreet. =)

If you plan on being stage 1+ and want to be as stock sounding as possible, go Carbonio.

If you plan on going Stage 2+ (or higher!), i think the intake noise is less of an issue (due to the downpipe/exhaust sound). Even though I was concerned with intake noise initially, I may eventually get a VWR (or similar) down the road afterall.

All I got to say is the R at Stage 2+ hauls! Do It! =P

[mwrmt]

I'll be getting my Carbonio next week and was most recently contemplating the VWR, CTS and Neuspeed versions, but I too have no desire to run w/out an engine cover, nor do I cherish the thought of spending needless $$$ on a new/custom engine cover(that's money better spent on more HP or LED's).

And while the CTS and Neuspeed intakes are approx the same $$$ as the Carbonio, they require the aforementioned extra $$$ for a new cover and I just cannot justify almost 2x the $$$ for the VWR intake, unless it was going to offer 20+HP more than the others.

And as luvadubdub mentioned, the Carbonio will add a little under-hood porn.

[bmwgtiman]

the Carbonio will add a little under-hood porn.

That is why I got the neuspeed carbon fiber half engine cover. More porn. I am going to order some chrome caps for the oil cap on the valve cover, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid. Check it out on "JCAPS" website. The stock caps got to go! Especially the blue ones!