Caff's MKV GTI

[golfmeup]

IT went well thanks Locky!

I had to replace one of the bolts on the dogbone as they supply a spacer and a short bolt. Did not look so safe to me as there was not many threads securing it to the subframe so i got a hold of a longer one for piece of mind.
I gave it a bit of the old launch control on the way home to find zero wheel hop... job done and very pleased with it so far. I can notice a very slight vibration but nothing to worry about compared to what other people have

The exhaust got welded up nicely. There was a bit of gap to fill but it looks pretty good in my opinion.
I had planned on deleting the Vband joints but they lined up properly and sealed perfectly even with the cheapo Chinese clamp.
Cold start is loud as hell as well as when it gets on boost and dumps out the wastegate but it is otherwise as loud as it was before under "normal" driving conditions. Some extra pops and burbles on over run and some really crisp DSG farts now which was a nice bonus
I did not use a C02 sensor spacer as i was in a hurry to get it finished but there is no CEL to speak of as yet after 200km. I'll report back if it ever appears.

The boost gauge also got fitted. I was a bit surprised to find it reads as high as 22-23psi in the lower rev range before rolling back to around 14-16psi in the higher rev range. That explains why it pulls so well lol.

I'm hoping the CPU does some re calibrating over the next few days but i have noticed it comes on boost a lot sooner and a lot stronger obviously from being able to breath now.

Intercooler next and most likely find a new tune for it.

Yeah I've heard that it can take a time for the CPU to relearn the new down pipe.

Yeehaa! This baby is going to rock!

We really need to get our two together one of these weekends for a play!

[Caffeine]

Not a lot going on recently.
I made the trip down to Canberra and back no problem. Still not Check Engine Light due to the downpipe so i think i can safely assume it wont happen.

I've noticed that since fitting the DP and the software sorting its self out that there is a slight delay in power on gear shifts when giving it the beans. From what i read on the interwebs, this is a DSG software problem most likely due to the factory torque limit of the gearbox. I had been looking into DSG tunes prior to this happening so i think i will hurry that along and with a bit of luck, it will solve the problem.

Intercooler in in Sydney so that should arrive later next week. Dunno if i'll fit it strait away or wait till i organize a cat back to replace the factory unit currently still on the car. I've been told it sounds a bit like a Datto 180B by my brother and to be honest, i'm not overly impressed with the sound of it either since fitting the downpipe so i'm currently looking at pre-fab'd cat back systems. Right now, the XForce unit seems priced well enough and i can get it in Australia(obviously) so it is on top of the list. Also considering a 42DD system if i can swallow the exchange rate.

Wanting to do some(the bug is still strong), i wrapped my front badge in 4d carbon wrap. Also gave it a good hand wash and some polish...



Bought some clay bars and some other detailing stuff. I'll read up on how best to use it all and then take it out somewhere nice to take some decent photo's.

I can't for the life of me register an account with vwgolf.net.au?!
If i could, i would likely buy some rims and some other stuff of the for sale forum but i guess its not meant to be?

[Caffeine]

SOooo...

Pulled my Forge Twintake apart today and gave it a little bit of a clean.
There was a little bit(!!??) of stuff in there to say the least lol.



Once brushed clean, i reassembled it all with the Forge hoses all facing upwards and the hose clamps all as hidden a possible to keep my OCD at bay.



Not too much more to report right now. Just waiting for the intercooler to arrive and to make a decision on a cat back.
Oh! also ordered a Polk Audio sub and amp. I am thinking about some 4" Polk door speakers to go with also.

[golfmeup]

That air filter !

[Caffeine]

Not a lot been going on lately.

I approached the Local VW dealer regarding a DSG service out of interest and not to my surprise, they wanted $1100+ including a bunch of other stuff that i had already done. I contacted a few people up the coast a bit and 2 got back to me with prices around the $360 region so i'll be taking the car up north for that some time soon.
The local VW dealer did however come in handy when they informed me that i had a recall pending for my coil packs so i had that done free of charge. I really wish i had a DSG maltronics unit recall pending which would have saved me servicing the gearbox but of well, can't win em all

I purchased a Blaupunkt 12" sub AIO unit off evil bay but they sent me out a 10" version and it had a dent in it so i got a free upgrade to a boxed 12" Polk unit and a separate 4 channel Polk amp. Not sure if im happy about that or not. Happy that the seller was more than willing to fix his mistake but not so happy that the combo is now twice the physical size and weight?

I purchased a 3" resonator and Hooker Aero Chamber 3" strait through muffler also. Looking to have that added to the rear of the dump pipe some time soon. Hopefully im happy with the sound or i'll try again with some different components.

INTERCOOLER!!!!
My intercooler finally arrived!
It took nearly 6 weeks but it is here now and ready to be fitted when i can find the time.



I'm thinking i'll be needing a HPFP next....

[chrismelba]

Looks cool with the blacked out badge!

[Caffeine]

Dropping my car off tomorrow afternoon so the exhaust can get done on Wednesday.
I'm hoping i get the car back Wednesday afternoon but i don't mind it being there an extra day.

Instead of having an "exhaust" shop do it, i purchased a Hooker Aero Chamber 3" muffler and generic 3" resonator and will pick up some 180 and 90 degree 3" mandrels tomorrow on the way over to my mechanic.
I know he will do a good job of it and it will probably take a little bit longer and most likely cost a little bit more than the exhaust shop but i have been bitten by the local exhaust shops already so they loose my business. That and my mechanic is an avid turbo nut so i know he will do a good job of it.

Photo's pending!

[golfmeup]

Hey dude, sounds like your making good progress on the beast!

[golfmeup]

Dude we have to get our cars together for a blast.
Would be awesome to get some gopro footage of yours with the new exhaust.
I'm guessing it's gonna be loud!

[Caffeine]

OMG it's loud! lol

I'm happy for the most part with the sound but it attracts too much attention. Not something i really want anymore.
As i mentioned the other day at work, the Hooker was too fat so i could not use her... i mean it. We also had to use an old school 3" dump style tip just to get it done so i am currently looking for a nice twin tip and a 12" long muffler to shut it up a bit.

I have an action cam that i took some before footage with. I might hook it up tomorrow and go for a drive and make a comparo video.

I have just got home from 10 hours worth of wrenching on my brothers VL turbo. A full engine transplant and the only thing preventing him from choo chooing is getting the custom fuel rail back together haha.

But yes... we have to get together some weekend soon for a photo opportunity at the very least

[golfmeup]

Sounds good- glad we didn't do it today! 3-4cm hail here in town, winds blew the roof of part of the hospital! I was worried for a bit but had a car cover and a few blankets.
Yeah I walked past your car the other day, that straight pipe looks awesome.
Any noticeable power gains, or is it just noise?

[Caffeine]

It's been a while so its about time i did an update

Lots has happened since the last time i posted.

I finally got around to fitting my intercooler.
It did not go as planned as i did not notice that the turbo outlet coupler had not been shipped with the kit till i had the car appart as far as it had ever been. Rather than put it all back the way it was, i hit the faceballs and forums for some help and a really nice guy of fb posted me the coupler wich got me out of trouble 2 days before Christmas... If your reading this, you know who you are and i thank you



Stereo install. Went according to plan...




I added some brushed look wrap to the centre dash pieces as it had developed a couple of cracks.
Bit of a rush job but i think it looks ok and i have enough to do it again for a cleaner look when i have more time.



Payed Chris at ETuners in Sydney a visit on my way through to Canberra. Spend a good portion of my holiday money on a custom ECU and DSG tune but it was worth every cent and Chris was really good to deal with. I will certainly go back if i ever go K04.
The ECU was pulling 3 degrees of timing due to a crappy spark plug on number 4 cylinder but i am moments away from changing the plugs today so i will call it 160kw at the front wheels.
a 20kw improvement over the GIAC tune with the same hardware. Not that i was unhappy with the GIAC tune but i knew i had outgrown it and was not doing my new hardware any favors without a new tune.
No harsh feelings GIAC. If you offered discounted prices to existing tuned customers, i would have considered retuning with GIAC.
Thanks again Chris





I purchased a chinese knockoff Forge diverter valve spacer for ~$25. It is yet to arrive but im not sure i'll fit it anyway. Might just wait and pick up a proper Forge recirc DV.
Also snagged front and rear Whiteline sway bars and some Eibach lowered springs(not sure how lowered though) from the for sale forums. Yet to be fitted after i watched a tutorial on the front bar(that ought to be fun!).
Ultimately i will probably wait and pick up new front shocks and strut tops and do the whole lot in one hit.

So thats it for a while. Might pick up some new shoes when my hours at work return to normal.
But as far as performance mods go, K04 in the future possibly but i am just going to enjoy driving from now on and stop spending money on it lol.

[Caffeine]

Plugs changed!

The offending plug.


So in went a set of these. I used the zip tie trick to get the igniters out which were replaced by VW under recall a couple of months ago.


So i gave it all a bit of a wipe down since i had fitted all my engine bay dress up parts i had been gathering.

[golfmeup]

Hey mate! You've been busy!
Cars looking good. Keen to see it running after the tune.
Cheers

[Caffeine]

Yeah i have been really busy Locky!

We will have to catch up some day soon and set a day to take some photos and drive em both.