KO4 upgrade.

[gh172]

I've been thinking about upgrading to the K04 turbo after having driven a Pirelli . I've read mixed reviews from guys in the US. I was wondering if anyone here has upgraded their MK5 to either the APR or AWE kits. Given we are paying a lot more to do this upgrade than the guys in the US, I'm wondering if those here that have done it feel that it's worth the big bucks. Would really love to hear from anyone here who's done it,
Cheers.

[Tony_Mitchell_1983]

I suspect a lot of people will say it's not worth it for the price. I got my K04 and injectors off a low km S3 engine and had the APR software installed.
At the same time I had the intercooler done and already had all the other APR bits.
Because I got the turbo and injectors (both are needed for this upgrade) at a lower price, I was happy to give the upgrade a chance.
The change from K03 to K04 is similar, I think, to the stock to ECU flash upgrade. There is a noticeable difference in the car.
The power the car has now is getting up there with the limit for a daily driver I feel. I don't think I'll be looking for any more anyway.
There is about 1000rpm more of turbo lag with the K04 but it's not unbearable. The boost is a bit different too. It feels as though the car has the initial pull which dies off, then it really pulls again. It's a nice feeling though, the car really pulls, so I'd recommend the upgrade though I'm sure thee are many alternatives.

[gh172]

Thanks Tony, appreciate your feedback. That was what I enjoyed about the Pirelli , that lovely top end rush! Did you do the turbo back exhaust as well?

[triode12]

It would be cheaper and easier to sell your GTI and buy a Pirelli instead.
Plus when you try to sell your KO4'd GTI, you might find it harder to do so because it is modded.With the Pirelli, you won't have that issue.

It is not only the K04 and intercooler that is different, the internals are forged. The injectors are different too.
Someone on another forum who has done a K04 upgrade has hinted that they have had issues - so it isn't as easy as it seems.

[gh172]

I have looked into buying a Pirelli. Unfortunately I need a 5 door and they are as rare as hens teeth in Perth at the moment. My car is a 2008 model, realisticly I'd probably only get around 27k. A 5 door Pirelli would probably be around 35-37k without any mods. I'm looking into the kit from AWE, which includes pretty much everything you need, and puts down around 195kw at the wheels. Would still work out less for me than buying a stock Pirelli. Would you know who is having issues with their upgrade. I'm trying to research this as thoroughly as I can before making any sort of commitment, however I havent read too many reviews on Aussie conversions yet.

[triode12]

You have got PM.

[Tony_Mitchell_1983]

Thanks Tony, appreciate your feedback. That was what I enjoyed about the Pirelli , that lovely top end rush! Did you do the turbo back exhaust as well?

Prior to the K04 I upgraded the fuel pump and had the full apr exhaust as well. I'm not sure what the issues could be that people have had. The internals are meant to be easily strong enough for this level of upgrades.

[jsof]

This is off topic, but im in the process of modding my golf GTI.. I'm stage 1, looking at getting a TBE to go stage 2.
My question is: where do you guys buy your parts from? buying from AUS is so over priced, im looking at some american websites, which are half the price in everything, but it seems none of them are willing to ship to AUS atm due to shipping costs..

would love to know where you guys are going to mod your VW's!

[golf2nv]

This is off topic, but im in the process of modding my golf GTI.. I'm stage 1, looking at getting a TBE to go stage 2.
My question is: where do you guys buy your parts from? buying from AUS is so over priced, im looking at some american websites, which are half the price in everything, but it seems none of them are willing to ship to AUS atm due to shipping costs..

would love to know where you guys are going to mod your VW's!

well I got my milltek turbo back exhaust through Ian at renenhaus. He has really good prices and was extremely helpful plus he got it delivered to my mechanics door.

[gh172]

Try http://www.namotorsports.net/ or

https://www.mjmautohaus.com

[jsof]

I''ll have a look at namotorsports... but i have been put off my mjm, i have tryed dealing ith them a few times and they have no customer service. DBC Performance were a little bit better, although they have told me they are not shipping exhausts to AUS at the moment due to shipping costs..

[bwen]

but i have been put off my mjm, i have tryed dealing ith them a few times and they have no customer service.

I've emailed them to get quotes for some things sent to Australia but they've never replied, don't know why either

[V-VWMK-5]

It would be cheaper and easier to sell your GTI and buy a Pirelli instead.

probably the best advice. i have a gti and like you, considered the k04 upgrade after going for a drive in deancorp's pirelli. after looking into parts and labour, its not worth the time, money or hassle. go get yourself a pirelli, and you'll have an awesome platform to work off. then you can sell me your rims!

[gh172]

probably the best advice. i have a gti and like you, considered the k04 upgrade after going for a drive in deancorp's pirelli. after looking into parts and labour, its not worth the time, money or hassle. go get yourself a pirelli, and you'll have an awesome platform to work off. then you can sell me your rims!

I've been looking! Pirelli's for sale in WA are few and far between, especially at a price I can afford. If I do happen to find one , the rims are coming with me, ha ha.
Did you look at the AWE kit or just the APR?

[DonJuan]

here are the current pirelli's for sale...

2008 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI DSG PIRELLI V MY09 Private Cars For Sale in QLD - carsales.com.au 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294962746 4294962677&__Ntx=mode matchallpartial&__Qpb=1&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode matchany (nice rims too - i'm looking at these in black!)
2009 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI DSG V MY09 Private Cars For Sale in QLD - carsales.com.au 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294962746 4294962677&__Ntx=mode matchallpartial&__Qpb=1&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode matchany
2008 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI DSG PIRELLI V MY09 Private Cars For Sale in VIC - carsales.com.au 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294962746 4294962677&__Ntx=mode matchallpartial&__Qpb=1&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode matchany
2008 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI DSG PIRELLI V MY09 Private Cars For Sale in QLD - carsales.com.au 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294962746 4294962677&__Ntx=mode matchallpartial&__Qpb=1&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode matchany