Understanding the Golf MK7 Exhaust System & Which Upgrades Matter
Want to boost your performance and unleash a more captivating sound from your MK7 GTI? Many just like you wanting the same thing have wondered if upgrading their exhaust system is a good idea.
The truth is, while replacing individual components piecemeal is an option, a full exhaust system upgrade can yield significant advantages, not to mention potential bundled cost savings.
In this article, we'll dive into the critical components of the MK7 GTI exhaust kit, revealing why each piece plays a crucial role in maximizing your Volkswagen's potential.
What’s in a Full MK7 GTI Exhaust System?
While most enthusiasts wouldn’t call the stock exhaust for the VW GTI MK7 “bad”, most would also agree that it’s too quiet. VW Relied on the “SoundAktor” in the dash to provide all the growl, but that comes up short, sad, and artificial sounding. Many MK7 GTI drivers prefer to replace the entire exhaust system rather than taking a piecemeal approach.
But what exactly does an MK7 GTI exhaust system encompass?
If you’re newer to the world of VW performance mods, you might’ve found some conflicting information online. For example, Haynes, a well-respected publisher of repair manuals, breaks down car exhaust systems into “five or six distinct sections: a manifold, downpipe, catalytic converter, diesel or petrol particulate filter, centre section and back box.”
While this isn’t necessarily wrong, for the exhaust on the MK7 GTI, VW essentially breaks the full system into two main pieces:
- Downpipe: Connects directly to the turbocharger and runs under the car. This is where the catalytic converter (cat) is typically located.
- Cat-Back: Everything from the downpipe back. This includes the midpipe, resonator, muffler, and exhaust tips.
Breaking Down the Key Exhaust Components Further
Not sure why upgrading your entire MK7 GTI exhaust system is beneficial? Let’s explore what each component does so you can better understand the benefits of upgrading each.
Note that the midpipe and resonator, muffler, and exhaust tips are technically part of a cat-back, but some aftermarket exhaust kits labeled as downpipes are actually all-inclusive. For instance, IE’s MQB 2.0T downpipe for the VW MK7 GTI includes the downpipe, midpipes, and all hardware.
Downpipe
On turbocharged cars like the VW MK7 Golf GTI, the downpipe is a crucial exhaust component since it directly influences the flow of exhaust gases leaving the turbocharger.
The more restrictive a downpipe, the more backpressure there is. On the other hand, the less restrictive and higher-flow a downpipe is, the less backpressure. Where there is less backpressure, spool time is improved and power is increased.
What kind of performance gains can you expect? When replaced alongside an ECU tune, it’s not uncommon to reach gains of up to 5-20 horsepower.
Midpipe & Resonator
The midpipe connects the downpipe to the muffler. The resonator controls exhaust frequency and helps reduce unwanted noise at highway speeds.
IE’s DroneTrap™ Technology, found in our Catback exhaust systems like IE Catback Exhaust System For VW MK7 Golf R & Audi 8V S3, cancels out those annoying droning frequencies, especially at highway speeds, but it also doesn’t mute the exhaust’s aggressive growl as some resonators do. It does this by utilizing tuned wave resonators to cancel out the most annoying droning frequencies, while allowing the full bark of the engine out at full throttle.
Muffler
The main function of a muffler is to reduce the sound emitted by exhaust gases. Ever heard a car without a muffler before? Then you know what we mean.
The issue is that filtering out sound, mufflers, through a number of chambers and passages that manipulate sound waves, mufflers can also increase backpressure.
Performance mufflers, on the other hand, are designed to provide a more aggressive exhaust and increasing flow.
Exhaust Tips
Exhaust tips may not directly impact performance, but large, high-quality stainless steel tips are favored by most enthusiasts for their sporty look.
Why Upgrade the Exhaust System on Your Volkswagen?
Upgrading the exhaust for your GTI MK7 is best done as a system. When you upgrade everything together, you will experience these benefits:
- The best possible performance gains ─ there will be no weak links dragging down performance or creating backpressure.
- The best sound quality ─ for a more enjoyable ride.
- The best looking car ─ Most systems also come with upgraded exhaust tips for that final touch, because you want your VW to look good, sound good, and perform well.
What Sets GTI MK7 Exhaust Systems from IE Apart?
- DroneTrap Technology: Every IE catback is engineered with carefully tuned DroneTrap resonators to ensure the perfect commute. No drone on the highway, aggressive bark when you get on it.
- High-Quality Parts: There are a lot of inferior quality exhaust parts on the market that aren’t built to last. But all IE exhaust upgrades are overengineered to both function well and last long.
- Made for Your Car: No generic parts here! Our exhaust parts are created on a model-by-model basis, meaning they offer exact fit and optimized performance.
Learn More
Exhaust systems are just one way to add enhanced sound and more power to your MK7 GTI. Want to learn more? Check out our blog post “Strategies to Increase Horsepower in Audi and VW Vehicles Effortlessly”.