Adding power to 1.8 20V?

[damianzmd]

Hey guys,

Currently driving a 1.8 20V Golf MK4 (Non-turbo). Lately I've been feeling a little down on the power, as I drove a MK5 GTI the other day, and realised how slow my car is

So was wondering, what are some basic upgrades I could do to the 1.8 20V to get some juice out of it? Even though its basically the same engine as the 1.8T, I'd assume the work to attach a turbo would be monstrous in terms of labor and money.

An ECU upgrade is around $1525 from Evolve-Technik, in Melbourne, and will only find me an extra 10HP, barely worth it.

Tell me what you guys think...

[dylan8]

Hey guys,

Currently driving a 1.8 20V Golf MK4 (Non-turbo). Lately I've been feeling a little down on the power, as I drove a MK5 GTI the other day, and realised how slow my car is

So was wondering, what are some basic upgrades I could do to the 1.8 20V to get some juice out of it? Even though its basically the same engine as the 1.8T, I'd assume the work to attach a turbo would be monstrous in terms of labor and money.

An ECU upgrade is around $1525 from Evolve-Technik, in Melbourne, and will only find me an extra 10HP, barely worth it.

Tell me what you guys think...

I didnt even realise there was such a fruit as a n/a 1.8 20V in a Mk4?

[damianzmd]

Guess you do now Engine code is AGN, stock is around 92kW!

[audi-tone]

surely a full exhaust, headers/extractors and an air intake kit would yeild a little more power?

[damianzmd]

I'd assume so, I've looked at headers before, Glenroy Exhaust quoted me $750 custom made, for them since VW engines are 'back-to-front', so they ask a bit more for labor. Could anyone recommend me a good exhaust setup? A bit of a newb in this area, what should I be looking at, 2.25"? 2.5"? Custom made? Or just purchase from ECS?

[Tim]

I know it gets said a lot but the best option would be to sell it and buy a GTI version of the same car. You could probably get away with it not costing you a great amount of money and the tuning path for the 1.8t is almost limitless!

[damianzmd]

Tim thats actually not a bad idea! How much would a 1999 VW Golf 1.8 go for? 175,000 on the clock... I could probably snag a GTI for around $12k ?

[philthy]

see here:

Redbook

prices on carsales from a quick search were between $6K to $10K. You may be able to get a GTI for a bit less than $12K too.

[damianzmd]

Yeah hopefully should be able to give my Golf away for around $7000? Fork out around $5000... Sounds do-able!

Just overcame with excitement there. I never actually cared to check how much a MK4 GTi was.

Also how much would a chip set me back?

[noone]

I went down the same path when I had an Impreza, bought myself a turbo polo. I know it is a sidestep, but the 1.8T can do around 140kw with just a retune. For the spend, much more return for your money.

[philthy]

Also how much would a chip set me back?

somewhere from $900 to ~$1500, depending on who you go with. There's about half a dozen brands all with similar pricing and performance.

[TazzyVR6]

If I got a stock GTI I'd go straight to a K04. The K04 tunes cost the same as a stage 1 tune. So just get the K04 for around 1k and a 4bar FPR (plus fuel injectors if you go with CC), and get the K04 tune.

[h100vw]

We have/can do tunes for a K04 on standard injectors. The injectors cost a small fortune new. Obviously, this limits the power a bit.

Gavin

[TazzyVR6]

We have/can do tunes for a K04 on standard injectors. The injectors cost a small fortune new. Obviously, this limits the power a bit.

Gavin

I stand corrected then Injectors (380cc) are $340US on ECS