Sharkie's TSI Amarok Build

[Sharkie]

It was time for some Amarok love today (by my son for a change). He decided to black out the badges, which looks really good and something I probably should have done a long time ago already. Used plasti-dip to do the job.

Front


Back




And the Amarok


Note to me ... need to get black number plates ...

[Avwboy]

Hey mate, unable to pm for some reason but would love to chat about your car
I have a tsi single cab on the way and access to multiple k04’s or even entire byd engines (same as a cdl mk6r essentially)
Can you contact me if possible ?

[Sharkie]

Hi Sharkie, how much research did you end up doing on turbo upgrades for it and what was actually involved in a swap? Theres nothing really out the for the amarok tsi and seeing its age there's not much chance of it happening. You seem to be the only one who looked into this.
Tim

We did look into this, yes.

The TSI Amarok runs a modified version of the MK6 GTI engine (and similar to the MK6 R). The OEM turbo is actually similar (ie the same) to the 1 found on the Q5 2.0 TFSI in the way the plumbing of the PCV works. Very similar to the MK6 R too. So from a stock perspective the MK6 R turbo will actually fit well.

The problem is .... the cams (mainly the exhaust cam) is different to the GTI (and R) and thus you cannot simply fit the turbo and load the R stg1 tune. This would have resulted in about 230kw instead of the ~195 of the tuned TSI though less torque. Given the unique nature of the TSI, it has a totally custom tune (no other tuner in the world has 1 that is actually built for the TSI Amarok) taking into consideration the unique cam and turbo combination.

So if you upgrade the turbo, you will also need a totally new custom tune to suit the Amarok and since there are so few out there in the world, no tuner is willing to spend the time to develop 1. It took about 100 dyno runs to sort the current Stg1 tune out with APR and even that is not perfect. I believe it has a fuelling issue at low RPM in higher gears and WOT (though you can drive around that).

An option I am considering (and will do at some point in time) is to buy a wrecked MK6 R (TBH I'll probably try a wrecked MK7 R) in a manual to transplant the entire engine and ECU. The MK6R route is practically guaranteed to fit and work. This then allows you to go a full Stg 3 on the engine with many tuners able to help you. 300+kw Amarok? yes please

[Delft Maloo]

Hi Sharkie, how much research did you end up doing on turbo upgrades for it and what was actually involved in a swap? Theres nothing really out the for the amarok tsi and seeing its age there's not much chance of it happening. You seem to be the only one who looked into this.
Tim

[Delft Maloo]

Great work next thing on the list for my sons ute. Iv had it tuned via APR already but it looks like the turbo isn't that healthy so im running it back on the stock tune until i get the turbo rebuilt.

[Lucas_R]

That is a good price Sharkie and looks like its fits well on the Amarok. Sparesbox quite often have discounts on Xforce products and you can pick them up for cheap. 18 months or so ago I picked up 2x Xforce Varex mufflers and the Smartbox to control the valves - saved nearly $500 all up buying them on sale.

[Sharkie]

great price! was expecting $1500-$2000 because exhausts are such rip-offs now

I know ... for a 3"stainless no less ... could not say no at that price lol

I did have to buy 4 x gaskets and 8 x high tensile bolts though ... it came without

[brad]

great price! was expecting $1500-$2000 because exhausts are such rip-offs now

[Sharkie]

So after resisting the urge to fit an exhaust to the Amarok (and mainly due to the fact nobody had an exhaust for the TSI Amaroks) my son finally convinced me last week.

We parked next to a mates TDI400 and compared the exhaust from underneath. Looked pretty much identical, so took a chance on an XFORCE DPF back stainless 3" for a TDI400. I figured since the bends all looked the same, I'd at worst have to make 1 cut and join near the front.

The XFORCE looks good, I have seen better but certainly seen worse too.


Turns out it is actually a perfect fit all the way through. Even the join at the front to the catback is EXACTLY the same as the DPF back diesel join.






It now has an awesome sound to the exhaust, meaty and growly .... with a pop on overrun. I should have done this ages ago!

SO ... for the few TSI Amarok owners out there ... an exhaust upgrade is do-able and cheap ($570 from Sparesbox delivered).

[Coxy09]

DBA Slotted will be better than what I have as these are both for looks and better braking than stock.

Drilled discs are about 5% worse than solids. Drilled and slotted about the same as stock, but slotted only such a DBA T3 is at least 5% better than solids on stock type pads.

By fitting higher performance pads you improve braking across the board by 5-10% at least (and could be even more depending on the pad you select).

In my case I'm probably only 5% better than stock given the slotted and drilled discs AND high performance pads. Bonus is low to no dust which is a MAJOR improvement over stock.

Dust isn't an issue if you coat those wheels We need to have a chat about that =P

[Sharkie]

DBA Slotted will be better than what I have as these are both for looks and better braking than stock.

Drilled discs are about 5% worse than solids. Drilled and slotted about the same as stock, but slotted only such a DBA T3 is at least 5% better than solids on stock type pads.

By fitting higher performance pads you improve braking across the board by 5-10% at least (and could be even more depending on the pad you select).

In my case I'm probably only 5% better than stock given the slotted and drilled discs AND high performance pads. Bonus is low to no dust which is a MAJOR improvement over stock.

[Coxy09]

You don't need holes unless you just want "the look" as (most disc rotors) they aren't cast-in (they are a drilled plain face rotor) or stress relieved and if you give them a pounding, spider cracks will start to emanate from the holes.

The slots are good if you have a problem with pad material out-gassing or need to wipe the pad face of glazing but they need to be almost the full width of the rotor.

Personally, I'd just get plain face DBA 4000 series (heavy duty) rotors and talk to Brakes Direct about what pad would suit my usage / driving style.

I like having a good feel set of brakes, I've found most "Heavy Duty" rotors give almost no feedback and not a huge amount of bite, I quite like Tarox which I have on my abarth. Sure the wear rates are quicker, but like my feeling towards tyres, I'd rather have them when I need them......I was never a huge fan of DBA but I'll look into it as I'm only new to having a rok....

[brad]

What brand are the disc's and pads you're running? Do you have a link? I am due soon I think

You don't need holes unless you just want "the look" as (most disc rotors) they aren't cast-in (they are a drilled plain face rotor) or stress relieved and if you give them a pounding, spider cracks will start to emanate from the holes.

The slots are good if you have a problem with pad material out-gassing or need to wipe the pad face of glazing but they need to be almost the full width of the rotor.

Personally, I'd just get plain face DBA 4000 series (heavy duty) rotors and talk to Brakes Direct about what pad would suit my usage / driving style.

[Coxy09]

Gave the Amarok some love this weekend. After 41000km and some silly driving up and down Mt Mee by my 18yr old son, the Amarok was in need of new brakes .... Needless to say this type of driving by him has been banned ....

Fitted these on Saturday, and they do work well. Drilled with little slots and high performance pads (minimal to no dust TG!).

[ATTACH=CONFIG]46906[/ATTACH]

Incidentally discovered that the Amarok front brakes are 2 pot calliper units, did not know that and quite impressed.

What brand are the disc's and pads you're running? Do you have a link? I am due soon I think

[Sharkie]

Gave the Amarok some love this weekend. After 41000km and some silly driving up and down Mt Mee by my 18yr old son, the Amarok was in need of new brakes .... Needless to say this type of driving by him has been banned ....

Fitted these on Saturday, and they do work well. Drilled with little slots and high performance pads (minimal to no dust TG!).



Incidentally discovered that the Amarok front brakes are 2 pot calliper units, did not know that and quite impressed.