Alex's Polo GTI log thread.

[h100vw]

Just put a cat in it. Have you got a VCDS lead? Hex+Can? I can loan you the stage 1 ecu and bench in a base file for stage 2. You need not be off the road.

[Alex993cc]

@hw100vw

Nah no VCDS yet. only have autocom+/delphi and the usual bluetooth dongles.

I'm pretty run off my feet at the moment with work, when I have some personal time i'll talk to you about it in more detail.

Alex.

[Alex993cc]

did a spot of shopping in preparation for the tune.
Anyone think of any problems I may encounter with the installs?

Alex

[sambb]

RE the tensioner, you'll have to remove the existing stud that the tensioner/roller is on. Its threaded into the head so you'll need to snug up two nuts against one another and back it out. This is because its a 10mm thread in the head but an 8mm thread where it protrudes. The manual tensioner roller you've bought uses a 10mm stud (along its entire length) which is why the one you'll get in the kit replaces the OE one. Watch the vid on youtube that IE has on manual tensioning. Important for correct tensioning direction of the roller and also how much belt twist to set it at. Doing a belt with the manual tensioner is so easy compared to the stock arrangement.

[Alex993cc]

thanks for the reply sam.

After owning cars with manual tensioners for the entire time i've had my license I understand them much better, therefore feel much more comfortable with it than the hydraulic one. I dont know how often the hydraulic units fail, but one failure would be enough of a headache.

[sambb]

yeah its the hydraulic damper which acts as the sort of active tensioner on the tensioner roller which fails. Ive had mine on for a year or so I guess and about 25,000kms and check the 90 degree twist on it from time to time and it hasn't needed readjustment yet. I find it does get tighter when the car is hot probably due to thermal expansion of the head but I like its simplicity and it does seem pretty failsafe. I'm doing a rebuild soon and will have to swap this timing gear over onto the new engine (new belt though of course) and am not sure if I can reuse the tensioner - its purely mechanical so I think the only issue would be bearing life so I think it'll be ok.

[Alex993cc]

le sigh, still waiting for IE to ship my stuff, 3 week lead time they said :/

Also looking for any suspension bits, chassis braces, strut bars, etc
fmic
brake upgrades
downpipes etc

going to hit gavin over the head with my ECU shortly for a tune, I wanna be ready as possible!

[sambb]

Look in the classifieds. I'm selling a UR underbody brace.

[h100vw]

le sigh, still waiting for IE to ship my stuff, 3 week lead time they said :/

Also looking for any suspension bits, chassis braces, strut bars, etc
fmic
brake upgrades
downpipes etc

going to hit gavin over the head with my ECU shortly for a tune, I wanna be ready as possible!

Check your post box. Should be there by now!

[Alex993cc]

Reply Title: GAVVVVVVIIIINNNNNNN WHAT THE @#$#@ DID YOU DO TO MY CAR????

Sooooo.... got Gavin's test ecu installed.


Required me to get a bit angry with the hold down bracket, as no tooling I had available (even rounded nut removers) would not work

MR AEG Obliged


I'll get the security nuts out and weld it up and fix it properly at a later date.



Replaced the C#$% clamp with a normal hose clamp for future ease..

Thankfully with the airbox removed theres plenty of room to work !






Now of course... WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO MY CAR MAN!!!!!! this is honestly the best bang for your buck modification I could recommend to anyone. Bearing in mind tonight was rather cool (About 16deg) but still, the performance difference is NIGHT and DAY.

before this, the car literally didnt feel like it had a turbo on it, and coming from the charade I always had rather high expectations from vehicles power/weight wise. but this thing, it'll blow the doors off it already!

the power delivery will take some getting used to, there is just so more available all thru the curve its not funny, even when just cruising its heaps more responsive and just generally feels like theres much more motor in it.

came around a roundabout and got on it, traction control in 2nd gear.. lovely!

ok enough, cheers boys! still waiting for IE though :/

Alex

[h100vw]

Wouldn't bother with the security bracket. I just bin them. The K03s spools really quickly. It's hard to hold them back once you're rolling. 3rd and 4th roll ons are so good.
On a track I have to hammer my stage 3 to catch stage 2 polos that are well driven.

[sambb]

stage 1 or 2 Alex?

[Alex993cc]

Just a stage 1. going to get a dump pipe next and work out where to go from there.

I have a fetish for water to air intercoolers, so may put a PWR barrel cooler in the stock location, not sure yet.

Alex

[sambb]

Yep you suddenly have a 3 litre in the front after a stg 1. You are going to love it. Yeah keep an eye on those inlet temps till you get the water to air installed and I'd recommend going to a cooler set of plugs because no doubt you aren't going to be able to control yourself on the loud pedal. enjoy!

[Sydneykid]

Just a stage 1. going to get a dump pipe next and work out where to go from there.
I have a fetish for water to air intercoolers, so may put a PWR barrel cooler in the stock location, not sure yet.
Alex

Good choice Alex, efficient and facilitates a short (less air volume) inlet system.


Cheers
Gary