Is your Audi 1.8T 20V engine yearning for more power? The factory intake manifold, while adequate for stock performance, becomes a bottleneck when you start upgrading your turbocharger and aiming for serious horsepower gains. Investing in a performance-engineered intake manifold, like the IE Intake Manifold, is crucial to unleash the true potential of your engine. This upgrade is not just about bolting on a shiny new part; it’s about optimizing airflow to achieve market-leading power and torque across the entire RPM range.
Experience the Benefits of a Performance Intake Manifold for Your Audi
Upgrading your intake manifold offers a range of significant advantages, especially for Audi and VW 1.8T 20V engines. The key benefits include:
Maximize Airflow for Superior Power Gains
The stock intake manifold is designed for factory horsepower levels. When you enhance your engine with a larger turbocharger, the stock manifold struggles to deliver the increased airflow required. The IE Intake Manifold is engineered with motorsport-derived principles to overcome this limitation. Through optimized runner lengths, diameters, and bellmouths, this manifold is designed to “ram” more air into your engine’s cylinders. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software is utilized to meticulously refine the plenum and runners, ensuring maximum flow efficiency. This sophisticated design translates to impressive power gains, with dyno tests demonstrating improvements of over 90 horsepower!
Unleash Mid-to-High RPM Power and Torque
Specifically engineered for performance builds, this intake manifold excels in delivering power gains in the mid-to-high RPM range. The unique plenum, velocity stack, and runner design work harmoniously, particularly benefiting setups with GT28 or larger turbochargers. While some aftermarket manifolds may compromise low-end power, the IE manifold is carefully designed to minimize any sacrifice, ensuring a broad and usable powerband. You’ll experience enhanced throttle response and a significant boost in overall engine performance where it matters most – in the higher RPMs.
Flexible Throttle Body Placement for Custom Setups
The IE Intake Manifold features a modular plenum design, offering unparalleled flexibility for throttle body placement. The plenum can be completely detached from the runners and flipped, allowing you to mount the throttle body on either side of the engine bay. This adaptability is invaluable for custom turbo setups, simplifying installation and minimizing the need for extensive modifications to intercooler piping or other engine bay components. Whether you’re aiming for a specific aesthetic or need to accommodate tight engine bay constraints, this manifold provides a solution.
Optimized Runner and Velocity Stack Design
The heart of any performance intake manifold lies in its runner and velocity stack design. IE engineers have employed specialized software to research and develop a truly optimized system. The aggressively sized, resonance-tuned manifold runners, combined with flow-tested velocity stacks, ensure that more air is delivered to the cylinders compared to other manifolds on the market. This meticulous attention to detail in the runner and bellmouth design is a key factor in achieving maximum airflow and power output.
Minimize Turbocharger Lag
While maximizing power gains is paramount, it’s equally important to maintain responsiveness and minimize turbo lag. The IE manifold strikes an optimal balance. Its design prioritizes increased airflow without significantly impacting spool time or low-end power. In most engine and turbo configurations, the IE manifold introduces very minimal additional turbo lag compared to other manifolds with similar runner and plenum sizes, providing a responsive and exhilarating driving experience.
Proudly Engineered and Manufactured in the USA
Quality and precision are paramount when it comes to performance engine components. IE intake manifolds are cast from a specialized self-aging, self-hardening alloy, adhering to stringent chemical composition requirements. Manufacturing takes place in state-of-the-art Japanese machining centers located in the USA. All critical surfaces are machined in a single setup, ensuring perfect fitment, a superior finish, and exceptional durability for years of reliable service.
Integrated IE Micro Vacuum Manifold Included
As a testament to its comprehensive design, the IE Intake Manifold includes the IE micro vacuum manifold at no additional cost. This compact, anodized fitting provides all the necessary vacuum sources in a clean and efficient package. It eliminates cluttered vacuum lines and simplifies plumbing for components such as blow-off/diverter valves, boost gauges, fuel pressure regulators, brake boosters, and other vacuum-dependent accessories. Installation is quick and straightforward, resulting in a sleek and organized engine bay.
Dyno-Proven Performance: Real-World Horsepower Gains
The performance claims of the IE Intake Manifold are backed by rigorous dyno testing. In tests conducted on a 2.0L stroker engine with a large port cylinder head and a PTE 5858 Turbocharger, the IE manifold delivered impressive gains of over 90 horsepower! These results demonstrate the significant impact this upgrade can have on your Audi’s performance.
Dyno Results +90HP Gain! Tested on a 2.0L stroker engine, large port, PTE 5858 Turbocharger
Further airflow testing validates the manifold’s superior design, demonstrating increased airflow compared to stock manifolds.
Air Flow Result Chart
Audi and VW Vehicle Fitment
The IE Intake Manifold is designed to fit a range of Audi and Volkswagen 1.8T 20V models:
- Audi:
- TT (2000-2006 MK1 – 8N) 1.8T 20V*
- A3 (1996-2003 MK1 – 8L) 1.8T 20V*
- S3 (1996-2003 MK1 – 8L) 1.8T 20V*
- Volkswagen:
- Golf (1999-2005 MK4) 1.8T 20V
- GTI (1999-2005 MK4) 1.8T 20V
- Jetta & Jetta GLI (1999-2005 MK4) 1.8T 20V
- Beetle (1998-2011 1C – 9C – 1Y) 1.8T 20V*
*Please note: Fitment on asterisked models may require modifications to engine bay components. Due to space limitations, relocating the windshield washer fluid reservoir and custom intercooler piping fabrication may be necessary.
Required Hardware for Installation
The IE Intake Manifold is compatible with both large port and small port cylinder heads. For installation on small port cylinder heads, it is recommended to use an IE phenolic large port to small port adapter kit (IE part number: IEBAVA16). This adapter ensures a smooth transition and optimal airflow.
Frequently Asked Questions About the IE Intake Manifold for Audi
Q: What are the advantages of a modular plenum design?
A: The modular two-piece design allows for easy plenum flipping, enabling throttle flange placement on either side. This adaptability makes the manifold compatible with virtually any big turbo setup and intercooler piping configuration.
Q: What kind of horsepower gains can I expect?
A: Power increases are typically observed in the mid-to-high RPM ranges and depend on your turbo setup and engine displacement. Dyno testing has shown gains exceeding 90 horsepower in optimized configurations.
Q: What else is needed for installation?
A: The intake manifold now includes the IE micro vacuum manifold, providing connections for essential accessories. For small port cylinder heads, the IE phenolic transition spacer is recommended. IE also offers a full-sized stealth vacuum manifold with additional ports for more complex setups.
Q: Is ECU tuning required after installing this manifold?
A: For optimal performance and to maximize the benefits of the upgraded intake manifold, ECU tuning is highly recommended. However, if you retain the factory throttle body, tuning is not strictly mandatory. If you upgrade to a larger throttle body, tuning becomes essential to properly manage the increased airflow.
Q: How does the IE intake manifold compare to other manifolds on the market?
A: The IE intake manifold consistently demonstrates superior power gains in the mid-to-high RPM range compared to competing manifolds. The integrated micro vacuum manifold also eliminates visible vacuum ports, resulting in a cleaner engine bay aesthetic, regardless of plenum orientation. The modular plenum design provides unmatched versatility for installation in various setups.
Q: My 1.8T head is a small port. Can I still use this manifold, which is listed as large port?
A: Yes! The IE intake manifold is easily adaptable to small port cylinder heads with the use of the IEBAVA16 phenolic transition spacer.
Q: Do I need to upgrade my fuel rail to install this manifold?
A: No, the IE intake manifold is designed to work seamlessly with the factory fuel rail without any modifications. For high-horsepower applications, IE offers an optional high-flow billet fuel rail, which also enhances the engine bay’s visual appeal.
Q: What is the benefit of the black powder-coat finish option?
A: Beyond its visual appeal, the black powder-coat finish is significantly easier to maintain and keep clean. Raw cast aluminum can readily accumulate dirt that is difficult to remove. The powder-coat finish resists dirt and is easily cleaned, preserving the manifold’s appearance.
Q: How can I determine if my cylinder head is a small port or large port?
A: Cylinder heads are stamped with a three-letter engine code on the front corner, near the #1 cylinder. AEB and AGU engine codes denote large port heads. All other engine codes are small port and require the IEBAVA16 phenolic transition spacer for manifold installation.
Upgrade your Audi’s intake manifold to unlock its hidden performance potential. The IE Intake Manifold is a meticulously engineered solution designed for enthusiasts seeking maximum power, torque, and responsiveness from their 1.8T 20V engines.
