Help me plan my GTi upgrades!

[putauaki]

Hey there everyone

I just recently bought a 2002(My03) GTi 1.8T. I am due to get the timing and water pump serviced in about 3-5 months. 100k km. After that, I would like to start modding the engine and handling. I am happy with the stock look at the moment and am really just wanting to make it a bit like a stealth car! I have a basic mechanical aptitude, I am happy changing hoses and fluids but on this beast I am also happy to get someone to fit the mods.

The car is already chipped and I was thinking of improving airflow throughout and maybe a sway bar and I was looking a fitting brembo rotors, calipers and discs all round. I have checked out the forums here and TBH I am not confident in doing this myself as this is my everyday car.


Given the above, does anyone have any suggestions or experiences they can share? Also, while I am happy to improve the cars performance I know that the overall strain on the engine will increase. I just don't want to fit iffy mods like hanging air filters that can suck up water etc.

I am looking to make these changes over the next three years and am looking for an upgrade path and alternative suggestions, etc. the only thing I def want to do is replace the timing belt and water pump first, this way I think the engine is more suited to the upgrades. BTW, I got quoted about $1100 from a dealer for the whole replacement including labour. Is that about average in the industry?

Thanks in advance guys

[PeanutButterWolf]

Hey mate, I was quoted $980 if I remember correctly from Austral VW.

Fitting an aftermarket rear sway bar would be a nice mod to do, as this will help reduce understeer. I would also suggest a suspension upgrade (if you dont have on already) I've recenty fitted some FK coilovers to my MKIV GTI and wish I'd done it sooner. Number 1 mod for sure! Body roll is almost non-existent. The ride may be a little bumpy at times (crappy Brisbane roads!) But you could always pay extra for ones with adjustable dampning, which I will be doing next time round Hindsight is a bitch.

Other than that it sounds like you've got yourself a sweet little package already.

[JustCruisn]

After a chip an exhaust upgrade will see the best increase in HP. The stock downpipe is very restrictive. Intake usually just adds noise. Stock brakes are great, big brakes are not really warranted for the power you have.
Coilovers will give best options for lowering and handling. Lower springs like Eibach Pro kit give a good stance, not as good as coilovers but not as dear either. Mabye get a ride in a few GTIs with different setups to help you decide.

[putauaki]

Hey guys!

Just thought I would drag this thread up again with a few ideas I've had.

Turns out my GTi has a catback and a performance air filter in the stock box, it also chipped. So I am thinking, of the usual cold air intake and downpipe along with a new induction hose, waste gate valve and new hoses throughout the engine bay as well as replacing the pancake pipe. I am also eying up a new radiator, prob an aluminum sports type.

My biggest query is whether or not an oil cooler would be a good idea? Has anyone installed one into their car? Incase you are wondering, I live in qld and the average engine temp is pretty high and I notice the performance drop in the heat.

I'm not overlooking the intercooler, I am thinking of placing a higher capacity stock mount cooler but before that I am thinking about placing a TT wheel arch grill in the wheel arch to promote better airflow across the stock inter cooler.

Any thoughts or advice people?

[h100vw]

I haven't heard of anyone fitting an oil cooler even up here in Brisbane. I don't have one on my S3. You know there's a heat exchanger don't you??

Turbo inlet pipe is a good idea. I guess you are talking about the diverter valve, when you mention wastegate valve. I'd be surprised if it hasn't had one already. The std plastic ones are pretty dire. There's plenty of replacements on the market.

You should replace the vac pipes under the bonnet, they will be horrible if they have never been done.

A better intercooler is a great idea, you would struggle to get too much cold air into a turbo engine.

I'd get a downpipe for sure. The standard one is horrible.

Gavin

[Sirocco20348]

The car is already chipped and I was thinking of improving airflow throughout and maybe a sway bar and I was looking a fitting brembo rotors, calipers and discs all round. I have checked out the forums here and TBH I am not confident in doing this myself as this is my everyday car.


Given the above, does anyone have any suggestions or experiences they can share? Also, while I am happy to improve the cars performance I know that the overall strain on the engine will increase. I just don't want to fit iffy mods like hanging air filters that can suck up water etc.

I am looking to make these changes over the next three years and am looking for an upgrade path and alternative suggestions, etc. the only thing I def want to do is replace the timing belt and water pump first, this way I think the engine is more suited to the upgrades. BTW, I got quoted about $1100 from a dealer for the whole replacement including labour. Is that about average in the industry?

Thanks in advance guys

Heya! I have a 2001 GTI that im going through the same process as you making my car stealth atm.

-Get the car reliable first, so do your timing belt and water pump.. btw it cost me $800 including parts to have the work completed by canberra volkswagen centre... pete did a great job and good value for money.

- K&N panel filter.
- Audi TT diverter valve
- Upgraded dogbone mounts
- Replace your sway bar bushes
- Get track spec front strut mounts
- Whiteline adjustable rear sway bar.
- upgraded suspension (I havent done this, but i have front and read sway with harder bushes and mounts and my car is fairly flat around corners riding on stock suspension.)
- TBH I would not worry about the Brembos... Yeh they look cool, but your car does not have the power to warrant the stopping power, plus its added weight that you dont need atm.
- Get in contact with greg from GSL motorsport and get a hold of some QFM A1RM brake pads.. and flush your fluid with with castrol sin600 brake fluid.
- Decent set of tyres.

After all that if you want more power.
- Get a dump pipe but keep your stock zorst for stealth.
- When your clutch wears out, upgrade it to the VR6 clutch and flywheel.
- Creations motorsport Turbo Inlet Pipe
- Intercooler.... well i think the only one worth the money is the forge intercooler... but its atleast $1000. I wouldnt be conerned with a bigger side mount intercooler, as they are pretty expensive for the minimal gains you will get.

I think that is pretty stealth.

[theOctopus]

yeah sounds like my plan I've done to date, giac chip, n75J turbo control valve (it smoothed out my boost), turbo Inlet Pipe, Apr r1 diverter valve, turbo induction pipes, did a tt style wheel arch vent, k&N panel filter (had a short ram pod setup, it's crap in hot weather, not going cai I live in melbourne) went 18x8 et 35 rims with 225/40 tyres 15mm spacers on rear (need 5mm on the front, better wheel fitment is to come), front strut brace, adjustable rear sway bar, pedders ex coilovers 30 point adjustable, superpro front control arm bushes at the same time coilovers went in (I'd go tt bushes next time) replaced all pvc and vac lines/pipes with fuel lines and fuel line clamps. boost gauge (a must if your playing with profromace mods), 3inch downpipe magna flow stainless cat, mated to stock cat back removed the middle muffler and a remus straight through rear muffler, 42 draft transmission bushes.

Next up for. me will be dogbone mounts, slotted rotors and ebc green stuff pads, VR6 clutch and flywheel, frontmount intercooler, then the prep for a full turbo upgrade and the list gos on, i've done everything slowly and made sure the main things like timing belt water pump etc got done first then just replaced worn items with upgrades as i went, love the way the car rides now, do what you feel needs to be done and have fun with it

Here's a pic of my tt style vent

[putauaki]

hey guys!!

Thanks for the tips,

I'm certain on the TT mod in the wheel arch. I'm just looking for a grille that will look pretty cool. I am also going to change the oil filter type to a higher flow rate and I already have a K&N Panel filter.

I have a friend with a Volvo powered XR5 and he has had a ducted highflow air intake (cold) fitted on a 3" pipe. Apart from looking awesome in the engine bay it looks much more efficient at pulling in cold air when the engine starts to run at temp on hot days. No dropping the intake lower in the engine bay and having to avoid puddles.

I'm going to check out his contact and see if a similar design could be fabricated for the MKIV. In the meantime I need to organise the timing belt and water pump and a retune.

[h100vw]

There's nothing wrong with VW oil filters, that requires you to spend extra money on high flowing ones. There's countless thousands of modified VW group cars on the road proving it. I have run VW group cars since 1992 and have never experienced any oil pressure or filtration problems.

Gavin

hey guys!!

Thanks for the tips,

I'm certain on the TT mod in the wheel arch. I'm just looking for a grille that will look pretty cool. I am also going to change the oil filter type to a higher flow rate and I already have a K&N Panel filter.

I have a friend with a Volvo powered XR5 and he has had a ducted highflow air intake (cold) fitted on a 3" pipe. Apart from looking awesome in the engine bay it looks much more efficient at pulling in cold air when the engine starts to run at temp on hot days. No dropping the intake lower in the engine bay and having to avoid puddles.

I'm going to check out his contact and see if a similar design could be fabricated for the MKIV. In the meantime I need to organise the timing belt and water pump and a retune.

[Njay]

hey mate, i have an a3 which has the same engine as yours
the intake is pretty good as i recommend that you get coilovers next, personally its my favourite upgrade but that might change when i get my car back with all the new mods
I also recommend getting a downpipe, allows the turbo the breathe better and a bit more torque
feel free to ask any question as you can see my a3 is highly modified

[ronnny]

Hey guys, quick question,

How much do chips start at? And with a bigger downpipe and catback, how much strain does that put on everything?

I've done cold air intake, coilovers, and a new set of wheels so not that much yet

[h100vw]

You'd be looking at around $750 starting money for a tune. Some companies solder chips into the computer, others can bench flash the ECU. Either way it needs to come out of the car.

Just keep on top of servicing and the turbo will be ok. Missed oil changes will kill an engine, so don't contribute to that problem.

Gavin

Hey guys, quick question,

How much do chips start at? And with a bigger downpipe and catback, how much strain does that put on everything?

I've done cold air intake, coilovers, and a new set of wheels so not that much yet

[Jmac]

There's nothing wrong with VW oil filters, that requires you to spend extra money on high flowing ones. There's countless thousands of modified VW group cars on the road proving it. I have run VW group cars since 1992 and have never experienced any oil pressure or filtration problems.

Gavin

I concur with this 100%.
Jmac

[putauaki]

Ok guys!

Thanks for the reply's so far. Stay away from the over priced well promoted oil filter - got it!