R32 upgrades

[jb747]

The boss and I are taking the R32 for a run from Melbourne to Brisbane early in the new year. If it comes off, I'm considering dropping the car off with Harding performance to have a couple of things done.

At this stage I'm considering a chip mod (but no exhaust or inlet changes), the new Haldex controller, and the Skoda bluetooth for the RNS.

Would anyone who has done these changes care to comment.

[windyzz]

I've done the chip mod. I can feel better response, but barely

[mrcurlywhirly]

I would also be interested in hearing if anybody has modde their R32 through Harding Performance. The 200+ KW kit may be tempting once it is outside the factory warranty period next year..

Has anybody done the full kit? and has it delivered the additonal 25kw?

[chaddy]

Suspension/handling mods are generally regarded as better bets than engine mods for the R. Have to spend big bucks on turbo/SC for significant engine gains.
I would suggest first mod should be Haldex (+switch?) and then maybe coilovers and swaybars.

[scotty1991]

^ what he said

[mrcurlywhirly]

Thanks for your suggestions guys.
The Haldex is part of the performance kit offerings from Harding, has anybody actually run the Harding headers, remapped s/w and redesigned intake?

[G-rig]

The boss and I are taking the R32 for a run from Melbourne to Brisbane early in the new year. If it comes off, I'm considering dropping the car off with Harding performance to have a couple of things done.

At this stage I'm considering a chip mod (but no exhaust or inlet changes), the new Haldex controller, and the Skoda bluetooth for the RNS.

Would anyone who has done these changes care to comment.

I've done all of those things and think they are worthwhile.

Haldex is a good one whether you do after market suspension or not. You can definitely feel it on the stock suspension and the car feels more neutral and balanced. Acelleration out of corners is better and you ensures you put all the power down. Havent tried the race mode switch but sounds like fun.

The Skoda kit is awesome and integrates perfectly with the RNS-510 & MFD, and call clarity is spot on due to the OEM mic in the OEM location near the overhead lights. I can talk on the phone with the windows down and people can hear me which is pretty good.

As chaddy has said it's good to do a few handling mods on these cars but they also need a bit more power. The retune is noticeable but don't expect huge gains like on a turbo/GTI. Earlier in the year i ended up getting the headers and intake as well so the full package does give you a bit more before spending 25k+ on supercharger kits etc. Stock R's do approx 125 awkw and a dyno of mine gave me 147average -149max awkw which isn't bad. The BMC carbon intakes are pretty well priced and have a cold air duct from the fogs, so you're not sucking in hot air and are one of the ones likely to do something.

[jb747]

Whether the suspension is ever touched or not remains to be seen. I quite like it the way it is (apart from the understeer), and I'm an old bastard, so turbos and any more extreme mods simply won't be happening. The chip and the Haldex seem like quite straightforward updates, that are relatively stealthy.

G-rig...who did the installations for you?

[G-rig]

Whether the suspension is ever touched or not remains to be seen. I quite like it the way it is (apart from the understeer), and I'm an old bastard, so turbos and any more extreme mods simply won't be happening. The chip and the Haldex seem like quite straightforward updates, that are relatively stealthy.

G-rig...who did the installations for you?

Harding Performance up here..

I agree those items are pretty stealthy and doubt the vw service section would ever notice. The Haldex is still an OEM part from the same manufacturer so I think it's pretty safe.

[chaddy]

Whether the suspension is ever touched or not remains to be seen. I quite like it the way it is (apart from the understeer), and I'm an old bastard, so turbos and any more extreme mods simply won't be happening. The chip and the Haldex seem like quite straightforward updates, that are relatively stealthy.

G-rig...who did the installations for you?

Hey I'm an oldish bastard myself and like the comfort of the stock suspension, also the front scrapes enough as it is without dropping it. I highly recommend the RSB if you want to get rid of that understeer. A few options Neuspeed, H&R and Whiteline

[jb747]

Ok, I'll look into the rear bar....

[G-rig]

This was a dyno (in 2wd mode) before and after the headers fyi. Other mods included BMC CDA, DMS retune & Milltek resonated Cat back. I think you'd need to combine it with cams to get the best results, but you can see there is an increase across the whole range:

[thezoneR32]

Hey G-rig, sorry to dig up this old thread. I had my lib 3rb modded with full custom headers and hi-flow cats and ectuek computer mod. The dyno graph shows it was pulling 149kw atw in awd but I can tell you right now, the R32 in stock form is still quicker (one of the reasdons why I bought it).

What did your mods do for torque? I think thats where the R32 has the edge over the lib.

Cheers

[chrisgti]

whats with the AFR there? did the headers lean it out a heap or what..

[G-rig]

Hey G-rig, sorry to dig up this old thread. I had my lib 3rb modded with full custom headers and hi-flow cats and ectuek computer mod. The dyno graph shows it was pulling 149kw atw in awd but I can tell you right now, the R32 in stock form is still quicker (one of the reasdons why I bought it).

What did your mods do for torque? I think thats where the R32 has the edge over the lib.

Cheers

Torque is the main gain from tuning the R32, I've got another graph somewhere taken from a mainline but makes it pretty easy to drive having a bit more on tap.