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CTS Turbo & CTS Turbo Catback Exhaust Review: My Story. (It's a novel)

MKVDave

Ready to race!
Location
Chilliwack, BC
Hello fellow dubbers,

I recently discovered the amazing guys over at CTS Turbo and the artwork they create for our little machines we all know and love. I thought I'd write up my story of my experience, and a review of the product I purchased. I drive a 2007 GTI, FSI 2.0t and I purchased a CTS Turbo Catback Exhaust system. So here's my story/review!
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Scroll to bold for TL;DR Version of the review.
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I've been searching since I bought my lovely GTI last May of 2012 for that perfect exhaust note. I did my research and decided on a Catless Downpipe paired with a 42dd 02 Sensor Spacer.

While keeping my stock exhaust on the car for a couple months after installing the Downpipe, I urged for that perfect exhaust note. For that purring idle, and that feeling of getting in your car every morning, turning that key and hearing your engine come to life. Hair standing up, eyes just pop from excitement..
I needed it bad, so I did what every gear head would; research. Now, by research I mean YouTube and by YouTube I mean searching for exhaust clips, and dynos then end up watching kittens jump into boxes or high speed crashes (It happens to the best of us). So after a couple hours of Researching forums, youtube, and build threads on the forums to see what others were going for; I was undecided. I figured I'd give it a couple weeks, and try again.

*One month later*

It was time for my Oil change, and I needed an alignment pretty bad. So I thought I'd try a new shop, one I've never been to before. CTS Turbo. I thought to myself "Man, these guys do custom Big Turbo and K04 kits. I'll give them a shot. They might just know what they are doing." So I hit up Clay@CTS and scheduled my appointment.
When I arrived I was greeted with a handshake, a free T-shirt, and a lanyard. All branded with the CTS Turbo logo. Instantly impressed I was. They gave me a tour of their humble work place and it was heaven. Manifolds, downpipes, exhausts, intakes, Turbo's as big as your head, everywhere. I was drooling, and I was hooked!
When my car was all done and wheels were straightened, new oil flowing through the motor. I was taken out for lunch. On CTS' Wallet. This right here put me in awe. Never have I been treated so well as a customer in my life. So I thought to myself, "I am coming back for any part I need for my car, any maintenance, anything. I'll be back"

*On to the exhaust!*

So a couple months go by, and seeing as how they custom fabricate all of their exhausts in house.. I chose CTS Turbo for my Cat Back system to pair with my 3" Catless downpipe. I haven't seen any reviews on this product and just had to try it out.
I head in to the shop to have my driver side CV Boot replaced, another alignment (Changed my suspension up quite a bit) and the almighty CTS Turbo Catback.
Once again, greeted with a smile, a handshake, and some CTS Turbo goodies for the wife and I.
Couple of hours go by. It's done.
I haven't even heard it, and I'm beyond excited.
I get in, started the car; and remember that feeling I described earlier? My eyes popped, huge grin on my face. I pulled out of the parking lot and was instantly in love.

This exhaust was perfect in every way. Looks amazing, beautiful welds, subtle exhaust tips, 3" piping. She's a beauty. Nice smooth tone when driving like a "normal person", nice feel to the car. It purrs on idle..

but then..
You give it all you got and this beast comes out from the abyss and you're encouraged to just keep the pedal down because this seducing symphony of deep rumbling thunder has got you craving more and more..


It's perfect. Exactly what I was looking and hoping for. Little to no highway drone, which was a big plus for me since we're expecting our first born in the next couple of months here and this is our only means of travel. Not to mention my wife says it sounds "bloody amazing". So having her approval is always a big stamp of success. For you married folks, you'll know that it means you get to keep it haha.

The daily grind is just so much more enjoyable knowing that I get to escape, and enjoy my car that much more. I love it.

Here's a little summary for those who were TL;DR.

PROS:
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-Nice subtle tone when cruising.
-Little to no Highway drone.
-Amazing quality
-Perfect for daily driving or acting like a rasekor driver. (Responsibly of course)
-Knowing your product was built with care and by 1 or 2 people who have a passion for the VAG Scene and customer.
-Deep aggressive tone under hard driving.
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CONS:
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So far I have yet to come across any. I've only put about 1,500 km's (About 900 miles).
I will definitely update this in the future if I come across anything.
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Overall this is a great product, great buy, and CTS Turbo are a great group of guys.
I would really like to thank the guys down at CTS Turbo for their great customer service, great quality, great products and thanks for having so much passion in your work.

I am definitely a customer for life, and the purpose of this review was to get their name and product out there.

Below is a video we shot of a couple pulls, a launch, fly by, and some revs.
Courtesy of CTS Turbo.
This video was put together to show the quality and sound of the product, because lets face it. It's just a stock k03 FSI without a tune, but I still love my car.


Interior shots were with windows up.
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List of modifications for those curious.
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Raceland 3” Catless Downpipe.
AutoTech Air Intake
H&R Super Sport Springs
CTS Turbo Catback
Forge DV
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Hope you enjoyed my review, it was my first ever so I apologize if I trailed off. I'm very passionate with what I do with my vehicles and I'll never change. :)

Thanks for reading! :thumbsup:


*Link to Product* - http://www.ctsturbo.com/cart/products/CTS_Turbo_VW_MK5_GTI_3_Cat_back_Exhaust-3428-292.html


5,000kms (3,100 Miles)
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Still sounding mean as hell, and have received nothing but compliments from it.
Going to work on the car a bit today and adjust the tips to stick out a little more. Right now they're a little too flush with the bumper, can't see the CTS Logo. :)

Overall after about 5,000km's it's still sounding as awesome as it did since day one!
With all 4 windows up and the sunroof closed and AC on, I can barely hear it.
However with the windows down, you get to hear that baby purr. :)
No complaints at all.
I'll keep updating as time goes by with any negative(At this rate, I doubt it)/positive feedback
 
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VancouverGTI

Go Kart Champion
Location
Vancouver
Wow dude, talk about, "Ask and you shall receive!" :biggrin:

Great review, and you should be writing copy for an ad agency somewhere. You've got the gift. :wink:

It sounds fantastic! But too loud for my tastes. I think the FSI sounds a bit better than my TSI, too, if I'm honest. Still, for anyone looking for something louder, that sounds amazing!

And for background... I bought APR's full turbo-back setup, and wound up selling the cat-back (how's that working for you, Brian?) and going back to the stock cat-back section to try and quieten things down a bit. Nothing wrong with it, but I guess I'm just getting old.

I don't want to attract any more attention than necessary when I stomp the go pedal. :thumbsup:

Definitely interested in doing business with Clay and CTS sometime. I'd say the only reason I haven't paid them a visit is because Blitzkrieg and RPI Equipped both take such good care of me, too.
 

poonpower

Ready to race!
Location
Canada
Theres no way they do this for every customer. At the time of the all free stuff you were just going in for an oil change and alignment.
 

afisting

Ready to race!
Location
Pornland
I would recommend Clay@CTSTurbo to everyone, and have thrown a decent amount of business his way. He takes care of his customers.
 

MKVDave

Ready to race!
Location
Chilliwack, BC
Theres no way they do this for every customer. At the time of the all free stuff you were just going in for an oil change and alignment.
Yeah I went in for service on my car twice within a couple of months and thats how I was treated (very nicely) They do hook up most customers with a shirt, lanyard, bottle opener, or plate frame when you buy something or get service done. I'm not saying every customer will get a meal, just sharing my experience! : ):thumbsup:
Wow dude, talk about, "Ask and you shall receive!" :biggrin:

Great review, and you should be writing copy for an ad agency somewhere. You've got the gift. :wink:

Thanks my friend! :)
 

604GTI

#yoloSWAG
Location
Vancouver
I'm not saying every customer will get a meal, just sharing my experience!
Lol when I went to get my CTS intercooler installed there Clay bought me the hugest sandwich i've ever eaten. I've got nothing but good things to say about Clay and the boys @CTS.
 

Jack_Snows

Banned
Location
11713
Car(s)
93 honda
I'm feeling a certain way now about CTS. I've got all of the above except a bottle opener AND food. WTF MAN!!

At any rate CTS > than the rest!!
 

Gab.B

Ready to race!
Location
Quebec
Car(s)
Volks GTI 2007
Is their connections are ​​v-band on their downpipe? I ordered my DP last week and I'm waiting it, I just want to know what kind of connection I'll need to connect it to a 2.5'' cat-back!
 

MKVDave

Ready to race!
Location
Chilliwack, BC
Is their connections are ​​v-band on their downpipe? I ordered my DP last week and I'm waiting it, I just want to know what kind of connection I'll need to connect it to a 2.5'' cat-back!

Their Downpipe and Catback system both use the factory clamp to connect to eachother.
So if you're connecting their 3" Downpipe to your factory exhaust. You'll be fine! :) :thumbsup:
 
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