Guide: MK7 GTI EA888 Gen3 intake snow guard removal
As I have mentioned before the stock intake for the GTI is very good and only needs a high-performance filter and the snow guard removed to match most aftermarket intakes. What this will give you is a little (very little) more sound of the turbo and possibly more airflow. The plastic piece is designed to evenly distribute air across your filter and/or prevent snow/slush from sitting on your filter. The purpose has been debated a lot. You can always put the snow guard back after if you want afterward if you change your mind. If you live in a region that has snow and slush you may want to refrain from removing this.
I have already written a guide before on how to replace the intake filter so I will spare repeating you the details and pick up at the end of that guide.
So let’s pop the hood and get started.
- Follow this guide and remove the air filter
- You may be able to do this without the next few steps by skipping to step 5 but for more room to work with you may want to remove the intake cover.
- Disconnect the intake pipe from the box by using a pair of pliers to loosen the clamp and slide out the intake box
- Squeeze and pull the secondary hose in the passenger side of the box if you have one. Early MK7 GTI models dont. You can leave the smaller rubber tube attached.
- Now you should see the snow guard that was below the filter. There are four points all the way around in the middle-ish on each side of the snow guard where its snug. I took a pair of pliers and pull straight up on the drivers side one to loosen it.
- Work you way around clockwise until the snow guard pops out.
- Reverse closing up everything and you are all set.
Give it a test run and enjoy!