Lucas' Golf R

[Lucas_R]

Thought i should start a thread of my car. It's a MY11.5 Golf R with the following factory options:

- Manual gearbox (no DSG for me thanks)
- 19 inch wheel option & blacked out headlights
- Sunroof
- Leather interior
- MDI and Bluetooth

The aim of my car is to essentially create a sleeper OEM+ type of look - a car that looks stock but in fact isn't. A subtle lowering job, a quiet exhaust, no aftermarket body kits or crazy wheels etc. I don't want it to attract attention basically. Lots of optional genuine parts and subtle aftermarket accessories.

Current power output:
DNA Tuning stage 3 tune (208.4kw / 380.1nm tested on Mainline AWD Dyno, February 2013).
Also tested on Dyno Dynamics AWD dyno in November 2013, 211.7kw.

Previously tested power outputs:
- Stock….166kw and 292nm
- Bluefin stage 1….186kw and 318nm
- DNA Tuning stage 1….204kw and 354nm (plus downpipe)

DIY’s I’ve done along the way:
Autotech HPFP install: Autotech HPFP Upgrade full DIY guide with pics
Cleaning VWR intake filter: VW Racing Intake (VWR) foam air filter cleaning DIY
Changing brake pads: DIY - changing/upgrading the brake pads on Golf R (Remsa pads)
Intercooler install: THS Copy Intercooler review and installation pictorial semi-DIY

Modifications:
- DNA Tuning Stage 3 tune
- AmD TFSI Intake with honeycomb MAF screen and carbon fibre airbox (custom one-off hybrid intake)
- SPM 3" Downpipe with custom resonator
- THS style upgraded intercooler
- Autotech HPFP upgrade
- RS4 fuel rail valve
- GFB DV+ diverter valve upgrade
- NeuSpeed turbo discharge pipe
- BSH intake charge pipe
- Spulen 75a torque arm insert
- 42DD solid gear shifter bushings
- Verdict Motorsports solid shifter mount bushes
- P3 Gauge for OBD-II (boost / water temp / intake temp / 0-100kph etc)
- Remsa aftermarket brake pads (low dust & rated to 650 degrees)
- R8 ignition coil packs
- ECS Tuning billet alloy oil filter canister

Aesthetics:

Interior:
- Focal plug and play front speaker upgrade
- Mk7 Climatronic unit upgrade
- Custom made floor mats with R logo
- OEM Underseat drawer
- OEM alloy glovebox handle
- Carstyle4you garage opener button and R button in centre console
- OEM "R" front seat grab handle covers
- OSIR rest pedal cover
- P3 gauge


Exterior:
- H&R 20mm lowering springs
- Superpro alloy lower control arms and anti lift kit
- Gloss black front and rear VW badges
- Lakin replacement piano black front numberplate bracket
- Lakin numberplate covers
- Custom made R wheel centre caps
- 4 inch stainless steel exhaust tips
- Dark window tint + sunroof tint
- Racing Dash LED numberplate lights
- Front parker lights (LED) wired in and activated
- Dual reverse lights (removal of fog light with OEM replacement taillight from Europe)
- Carbon fibre front lip
- Tinted rear reflectors
- Tarmac/Frazza front mud flaps (altered to sit further in than normal)

Engine Bay:
- Audi TTS engine cover
- Audi R8 oil cap
- Red coil pack wiring harness cover
- Red ignition coils (Audi R
- OEM black radiator bottle cap and washer cap


I ordered the car in December 2010, and the car was manufactured at the end of Jan 2011 and delivered in April 2011.




DNA Tuning hand controller and dyno sheet






A couple of recent shots - taken Nov 2014:

[Lucas_R]

[Lucas_R]

Some new Pics:

Random engine bay shot with new engine cover. Will get to work soon on removing the Audi rings and replacing with a VW badge or similar:


CarStyle4You garage door switch and R blank buttons. Love the garage door button, best little mod ever:


Sprintbooster, Part# SDBB201 for manual gearbox, been installed for about 4 months now and using the green (mild) setting = love it:


Lakin front numberplate bracket/holder. So much nicer than the stock plastic holder and is finished in gloss black to match the bumper inserts etc. Just need to get my new grey on black number plates now:

[Lucas_R]

A couple more shots from a recent drive with a good friend of mine who recently sold his MY04 WRX for some Euro style in the form of a Mk5 GTi. He bought it stock, and we have done it up over the past few months to look the way it does in the pics below. I need to stop working on his car and focus more on mine....hehe. For locals, you will probably recognise this as being Mt Sugarloaf:







And here we are back at home after a thorough wash and wax. Nice and shiny.

[Lucas_R]

42DD Catch can kit from Greg @ Carformance. Lovely quality unit. Fits nicely.

[Lucas_R]

Stock horrible restrictive dump pipe.


New Scorpion 3inch dump pipe. (note tailshaft is still unbolted in these photos which is why the tailshaft is so close to the exhaust)



What you can't see is that the back part of the dump pipe isn't on yet because Scorpion provided clamps that were too small to fit over the pipe. So ive had to get my local exhaust shop to order in some 3 inch clamps for me. I should get this finished tomorrow.

PS - has anyone else realised that the tailshaft on the US spec Golf R's is different to the Aussie Golf R's?? Ours is pretty much the same diameter along the entire length and is smooth - their's varies in diameter (goes much smaller) and also has grooves (about 8 of them) along the length of the tailshaft....wonder if there is a reason for this?

[Lucas_R]

I know its not all about the "peak" numbers, but here is a video i took of my car on the dyno at the Sydney Dyno Day a few weeks ago. I was both surprised and impressed by the 204.2kw / 354.5nm result, considering the tune itself is "Stage 1" (despite stage 2 parts) and boost is quite conservative at 20-21psi.

I wanted 200kw on a budget, and i got it.

42DD Oxygen Sensor spacer. Takes all of 2 mins to install once the cars up on stands. Will be nice to not have the CEL illuminated on the dash anymore:



The BFI 70 Duro Torque Arm Insert. I still maintain this was a right bugger to install, but as with most things, now that ive done it, it would be much easier if i ever had to do it again. Very interested to see how this feels now thats its installed - hopefully it will crispen up the shift and stop engine/gbox movement.

[Lucas_R]

Ok - i did some testing on my car recently. My car is still running a stock standard stage 1 tune from DNA Tuning, and has not been tweaked in any way. This is the one and only tune file i have ever received from DNA.

0-100kph
Tested using my P3 guage. Obviously the DSG guys can do this faster than a manual car, but it's a good result none the less. Im holding my camera with my right hand and using my left hand to steer and change gears. I might add that 2nd gear only gets you to about 95kph in the R, so you need to hit 3rd to crack 100kph - and this last gear change hurts the 0-100kph time in the manuals. This "secret" street i used is also on a constant incline, so that no doubt add's a tenth or two to the time.

Boost levels
Although the boost appears to peak very briefly at 23psi, it's mostly around 20-21psi and then tapers off gradually to around 15-16psi higher up in the rev range.

Test was done in 3rd gear.

I also tested intake air temps under normal driving conditions and also when giving the car some stick. Ambient temp was 12 degrees and the intake temp hovered between 20-25 degrees.

[AdamD]

Nice work Lucas. Tasteful colour, good spec, great mods and an excellent result.

[brimway]

Very nice Lucas

[Ryan_R]

Love it

[Lucas_R]

Nice work Lucas. Tasteful colour, good spec, great mods and an excellent result.

Very nice Lucas

Love it

Cheers guys - glad you like it. Just ordered the Racing Dash LED numberplate lights (replacement units) and some 1200 degree exhaust wrap for the dump pipe. i also have some custom floor mats being made for me with the "R" embroidered on each mat and a heel pad for the driver.

Some new shots from this afternoon:

[stotto]

Love it, just a tad jealous lol.

[team_v]

So how do you find the torque arm insert?
I had an APR one but it was a bit too harsh for my liking nad induced cabin vibrations at idle.

[Lucas_R]

Love it, just a tad jealous lol.

If we ever bump into each other ill take you for a spin. I think i've seen you once on Industrial Drive but you were going the other way.

So how do you find the torque arm insert?
I had an APR one but it was a bit too harsh for my liking and induced cabin vibrations at idle.

Good - i like it. Its only the softest 70 duro one, so i've noticed zero vibrations or any other negatives. Im not sure how hard the APR one is, but this particular one is to my liking. Some other people who have installed the 80 or 90 duro ones have complained about vibrations.