KO4 Turbo review

[Guy_H]

From our racing with the Polo we did - the K04 had a huge more amount of top end. If you can be on a track where you can really open it up - thats where the K04 will own K03 cars

[noone]

I think they are speaking about the k04-001.

It is the only K04 plug'n'play for transversal engines.

The geometry is the same, but the turbo shaft is bigger.

So if the shaft is the only change, can you alter this component and leave the rest? Cheaper than a new one or is it not that simple?

[Chipped]

From our racing with the Polo we did - the K04 had a huge more amount of top end. If you can be on a track where you can really open it up - thats where the K04 will own K03 cars

Hey Guy and other K04 owners,

So with all the power hammering more up at the top end then the ko4 must also allow for easy day to day driving/gear changes in the bottom end?

[Guy_H]

Hey Guy and other K04 owners,

So with all the power hammering more up at the top end then the ko4 must also allow for easy day to day driving/gear changes in the bottom end?

There is a little less torque down low, but you soon get used to driving around that - not a big issue at all. - The later power delivery CAN mean easier to control the wheelspin a little - but it depends on your driving style (and driving legally within the road rules)

[Plautos]

So if the shaft is the only change, can you alter this component and leave the rest? Cheaper than a new one or is it not that simple?

No, you can't.

It is not that simple....

[Bug_racer]

No, you can't.

It is not that simple....

Yes you can , but the cost of the shaft is somewhere around the $500 mark , then you have to fit it , and the turbo rebuilders dont guarantee that you wont have oil seal issues so there is no warranty , not to mention your fitting it to an exhaust housing thats had several heat cycles and could be cracked even warped so the few hundred you save for what could be a good ko4 isnt worth it compared to buying a new one

[Petrina Polo]

Ok so if a Polo Gti with Ko3s setup is good for a flat 14 down the quarter mile, what will the K04 run?

[Chrisuk-polo]

whats the max boost of a k03s but still being efficient ?? also if i fit the bolt on k04 to my manifold what else do i need to fit , i have intercooler no cat and downpipe forge tip etc etc , will i need injectors and a 3" maf??

[VWindahouse]

injectors, MAF and 4 bar FPR. If you want more power look at a ATP turbo manifold as well.

[572]

Assuming I've done the calculations right, using the compressor maps for the K03 - at 1 Bar boost (standard for most remaps) it is inefficent after approx 5000rpm. On the other hand, the K04 maintains efficiency throughout the entire RPM range.

If someone has prior knowledge with compressor maps, let me know, I'd like to double check what I've figured out so far! Guy?

[pogo_55]

The APR kit is turbo, 4bar FPR and different software only.

[Chipped]

Pogo55 - how do you find the wheel spin for day to day driving? As guy states - its takes getting used to but is quite controllable. Is it just a case of altering you driving style?
Also if you could get you money back and return to the KO3S...would you? (sorry probably a stupid question)

[pogo_55]

In my opinion driving in traffic, particularly rush hour traffic is where it has a big advantage. With the chipped Polo I was always aware of having to be careful that the revs didn't hit the point, around 2K where the switch flicked and it launched forward when there was a car immediately in front of me. The power delivery with the K04 is much smoother, even my wife commented on this after it was done. If you drive it with the esp on, then really the wheelspinny thing does not come in to it. However for a month after I got it done my front wheels seemed to be permanently covered in brake dust. At first I couldn't understand it as I was not braking much harder or more often than before. Then I tried switching the esp off and the brake dust returned to the normal amount. So the esp is interfering more now than before. It certainly goes better, particularly in second with the esp turned off. With the esp off, as flaps said first gear is pretty useless, and if you want to spin it through second you can. Although I'm sure you could also do this with a chipped one if you tried. Yes, under full power it probably will wheelspin more than just a chipped one, and I probably don't think much more power than this on the street would be helpful.
No I wouldn't want to go back to the K03s as the power delivery (not to mention the greater power output) of the K04 is much more like a factory produced effort than the chipped K03s with its boost coming on like a switch. The petrol consumption is at least as good as the chipped K03s under normal driving conditions. I purposely never attempt to calculate the fuel consumption after a good caning, but as it has a bit more power it probably would be slightly worse than the K03s.

[Chipped]

thanks heaps Pogo - just the review I was hoping to hear - SOLD!!

[Chrisuk-polo]

so if i get a k04-001 turbo slap it on and a 4bar pressure reg and a new custom map thats all i need extra from what i got now?? i heard this maf topps out with the 04?? can some one confirm what i need to do thanks!