im tempted to think C/V joint as the car lifts off from what you say, more noticeable when slow with full right then left lock steering, this happens when the body rises to the power like on take off the wheels leave (or virtually) leave the ground or known as over torque

 

when it happens there is no "lift off" or major shift in body weight. It happens after gradually going to wot while cruising, and i never hear it unless its wot, never on turns or anything like typical cv joint wear signs. It doesnt happen when flooring the gas from a stop either. its very odd that endle and i both have a 2000 w/airbox mod and chip and we have the exact same symptoms. If nothing obvious turns up tonight after inspecting everything and vag'ing it, im gunna find a stock air box and go from there-but i have no idea why that would help.
Could it be possible that with the air box mod, this hot weather produces less dense air and when we get to wot it requests a whole lot more air to match the requested fuel and sucks in too much air creating a lean condition and therefore IS detonating? Im starting to think our MAF's dont like the airbox mod. But, it really doesnt sound like detonation. But if that turns out to be it, i will revoke my wheel of fortune pic and pay some appologies.

 

ahh ok its the air box and only noticeable when in wot chances are its the butterfly valve/throttle plate due to excess air and lack of exhaust, when modding its important to get this right and sounds like you don't have the exhaust to deal with it??

 

Could be, but why am i just noticing this now? I did the air box mod a few months ago and have gone wot tons of times w/ no noises.

 

the computer has settled down so its done learning perhaps it needs a re-flash if you can, its reverted back to home spec just a thought

 

If that were the case my boost/performance would be a lot less. The only difference there is is the noise.

 

its getting down to the cracking noise that worries me and there are many scenarios like low coolant feed/ oil feed but you know all that (ever turned the central heating on in the winter with an air lock) is that the sound your hearing??

 

no, not that sound. maybe ill try to get a sound clip later.

 

hope to hear it soon

 

yup, might be difficult to record the sound from the cabin though... just another time i wish i could have a trunk monkey for troubleshooting things like this.