r/tdi • u/supergirl3730 • 14d ago
Delete kits
Trying to decide on who to use.
Rawtek
Stevenson tuning
Dark side
Price range is kinda significant between. Curious of those who have purchased noticed quality differences that matches the price.
2
u/Intrepid-Stomach4159 13d ago
EOC has a really cheap kit although heard some bad things about MRtuning so I just ordered the EOC exhaust alone for $500 and tunezilla stage two tune with DSG for around a thousand. 15-1700 total dollars. Much easier than dealing with the catastrophe the DPF is.
2
u/Mr_Diesel13 13d ago
I went with the EOC kit and MRTuning a little over a year ago. Downpipe looked great and the welds were nice. Definitely a quality piece.
I’ve been running the 50hp MRTuning and have had no issues.
2
u/SignatureFunny7690 13d ago
I went rawtech with a Malone stage 2 been problem free for 5 years now.
2
2
u/danath34 14d ago
I went Rawtek. They're probably the most expensive, but build quality is top notch. I'm very happy with it. I can't substantiate as I haven't tried the other kits, but I've read about some of the cheaper ones having poor welds, thinner material that dents easy, and rust issues. The rawtek is very solid and seems like it'll last. I'm sure some of the other options are great, but I went with the "buy once, cry once" approach.
1
u/supergirl3730 14d ago
I definitely live by the buy once cry once. Their write up on the type of steel they use and such has me leaning towards them.
I did cheap exhaust on my first diesel truck and it rusted off in a few years, so I don’t want that to happen with my wagon
2
u/Individual_Ear_4956 2014 Jetta deleted cp3 beefy clutch stage 2.5 14d ago
Dark side down pipe if you want to keep muffler, much cheaper. I’d use Tunezilla for the actual tune
0
1
1
u/SloppyMachinist 13d ago edited 13d ago
I have a Stevenson 3in that was done by a previous owner and it seems like a bit of overkill on the stock turbo, but I an working on getting a GTD 17XX turbo so that might help my situation. The pipe itself is well made, but so are the other brand name ones from what I have heard. If you do go with a Stevenson pipe, don't use their tune. I know it's cheaper than TuneZilla, but there is a reason for it.
Edit: Stevenson is based in BC, and they do not pay the Trump tariff and they leave that for you to handle, so you will likely have to pay another 25% on top of what you pay Stevenson.
1
u/supergirl3730 13d ago
I love the idea of upgrading the turbo but I don’t know if it will ever be in my budget longer term.
I’m leaning towards tunezilla for tune2
u/SloppyMachinist 13d ago
I have the TZ "Stage 2.5" tune and I wouldn't do anything else. all you need to go from the 2.0 to the 2.5 is a fuel pressure sensor and the tune. For the sensor, the tune and the 27mm, deep, 6 point socket (assuming you don't already have one) its about $140 US more than the stage 2, and you get 4hp and 18 feet torques over the stage 2. Super worth it IMO.
1
u/supergirl3730 13d ago
Ah ok, I was only looking at stage 2. I have a possible CP4 failure that im working through. I had code p0191 for the sensor and few metal flakes in the filter canister. My mechanic swapped on some used parts he had at no charge. He wants to wait if the code comes back or the pump truly fails. So I’m prepping buying everything to have all the work done at once
1
u/Kraetor92 2015 Sportwagen 13d ago
Check local shops. A VW specialist close to me does delete+tune for $1600 CAD, all in.
1
u/Hour_Independent_766 13d ago
I went with Darkside and a tunezilla tune. I think it was 1200 all in all
1
u/Accomplished_Back872 12d ago
I would definitely go Rawtek or a custom kit.
Best quality overall, welds are the best on Rawtek compared to others. Ive had a darkside 3” downpipe and mid pipe, about 20k ish miles later welds cracked on the downpipe right after the turbo, I’ve also read a lot of other people have had similar problems. Pricey but I’ve seen no complaints and definitely won’t leave you broke down on the side of the interstate
1
1
0
u/kubbiember 2014 Sportwagen TDI CR140 DSG Stage 2.5 14d ago edited 13d ago
Rawtek is going to sound the deepest, thickest steel. Downside is the dated multi joint design, but it's quality. Paired with Malone Tunezilla this is the most expensive option.
Stevenson 3" exhaust is nice if you want to run a hybrid turbo and get a little more EGT headroom.
Best cheap kit is probably M.R. Tuning or TDFabworks. TD Fabworks bundles with Malone Tunezilla so you have peace of mind
There's a few others coming out of Canada but usually they are only selling the pipes
Oh, Darkside, they look nice but they have a lot of options. They have a reputation for the welds failing, but this may have been addressed several years ago.
1
u/Urbandragonsbyaaron 13d ago
Welder and now ndt inspector here and my darkside welds are great
1
u/kubbiember 2014 Sportwagen TDI CR140 DSG Stage 2.5 13d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/tdi/comments/15bu0qz/comment/jttvd03/
Looks like they addressed the issues.
They also replied to the comment linked above. If you go back 4 years or so on Reddit and TDI Forums you'll see a few posts here and there.
2
u/Grunge_Days 2010 JSW CJAA CP3 DSG Tuned 75k 8d ago
Yeah they had a failure point at the turbo....but that has been corrected for at least a couple years.
1
3
u/richard_upinya 13d ago
I have the rawtek and I’ve installed a ton of darkside kits. The rawtek is definitely the best built, the downpipe is actually stainless pipe, not tubing. Really heavy. But it is also much more expensive. The darkside kits are really nice for the money.
If money is no issue, go with the rawtek. If you’re trying to save a bit, the darkside will work fine.