My other German fling: Mk6 GTI

[Lucas_R]

In Jan 2014, this MK6 GTI was traded in at my brothers work (local Skoda dealership) and he rang me to see if i might be interested. A candy white, 2010 Mk6 GTI with manual gearbox had just been traded in on a new Octavia. It was a 1 owner vehicle, older couple owned it, a local Newcastle car, completely stock standard, 55,000km, had full service history and all the bodywork and interior were tidy - needed a good clean but no accidents etc. The only options were a reverse camera and genuine towbar kit. (towbar kit and since been removed and sold....that was a fun job).

So we bought it for the trade in price and off we went. As it was purchased for the trade in price, the car was not cleaned or serviced etc like you might expect. I actually prefer it this way as I can see how the car was treated previously and clean it my way.

Upon driving it, I noticed the RCD510 would turn off and then back on every minute or so. Hmmm what’s going on here. I took my VCDS cable out and it diagnosed a faulty ignition switch. Apart from the ignition switch errors (4 errors in total relating to the switch) the VCDS scan came back clear. An initial order with ECS Tuning was made for the ignition switch and several other items like a fuel filter, spark plugs, air filter, cabin filter etc. Took about 3 hours to replace the ignition switch (absolute bitch to get it out) but all is now good and the RCD510 no longer turns off.

After getting the car home, the cleaning begun. I removed the seats (front and rear) and they all got a shampoo, scrub and blast with the Gerni. They weren’t too dirty, but I wanted them as clean as I could get them. Taking the seats out also allowed me to give the carpet a really good clean too. The seats came up really clean and bright, but they took AGES to dry. The foam must be really dense. I have cleaned many car seats in the past and nothing has ever taken as long as these ones to dry.

The engine was also degreased and high pressure cleaned. It wasn’t too grotty, mainly dust and dirt from normal driving. Most people never open the bonnet so the engine is normally pretty dirty.

The paintwork was washed, degreased, clay barred, buffed with 2x different compounds and pads, then hand polished and then finally waxed. I will wax it again soon to make sure it’s perfect.

I removed the wheels to clean then thoroughly, and while they were off I took the time to paint the hubs as well as clean all of the inner guards and shock absorber/suspension pieces etc.

Now that the car is clean, it’s time to look at giving this engine a service and then start with some light modifications. I replaced the spark plugs, ignition coils, fuel filter, cleaned the MAF sensor, fitted a new AFE Dry panel filter (much better than K&N), did a DIY carbon clean with the Nulon cleaner and did an oil change. I have already enquired with DNA Tuning about a tune and waiting to find out whether my ECU is encrypted or not. Apart from a stage 1 tune, I think I will ghetto DIY remove the top catalytic convertor (closest to the turbo) to free up some flow, and work on some intake mods. The car goes well already, so not really chasing too much power, but would like to hear the turbo some more as it’s basically silent.


Spec:
2010 VW Golf GTI
Manual
Reverse Camera
Tartan "Jacky" seats
OEM 9w7 Bluetooth (retrofitted)


Mods:


Engine & Transmission:

- DNA Tuning Stage 2 tune (+40kw and +90nm)
- Unitronic 2.0TSI intake with custom carbon fiber air filter shroud
- EuroJet 3" dump pipe
- CTS catback exhaust
- Unitronic DV relocation kit
- NeuSpeed style alloy charge and discharge pipes
- Spulen turbo muffler delete
- OEM Turbo wastegate rattle clip
- 42DD gear shifter bushings and Verdict Motorsports bracket bushings
- BSH dog bone mount 70 duro
- GFB DV+ diverter valve upgrade
- Audi R8 red ignition coil packs
- Revised timing chain tensioner and associated parts fitted Sept 2014 due to stock tensioner failing and timing chain becoming noisy.
- Rear main seal replaced Jan 2017 as original one was weeping oil.
- PCV replaced 2016
- EVAP valve and charcoal canister replaced 2016


Exterior/Lighting:

- OEM Golf R LED tinted tail lights
- OEM twin reverse light conversion with Bold Sport LED reverse lights (awesome and super bright)
- Golf R style headlights with Morimoto 35w Canbus HID kit 5500k (Eagle Eyes headlights)
- MTEC Fog light bulbs (4750k)
- Bold Sport T10 LED Parker Lights
- JOM Germany replacement LED number plate lights with Canbus


Interior:

- OEM VW 9w7 Bluetooth kit
- Stainless steel GTI door sills
- Stainless steel GTI seat handle inserts
- GTI "Jacky" ignition bezel cover
- Updated GTI lower steering wheel emblem (grey and chrome from 2012+ models)
- Custom black floor mats with GTI logo, red border and heel pad
- JPM Coachworks leather gailter/gear boot
- CarStyle4You GTI button and garage opener button


Exterior/Brakes/Wheels/Suspension:

- Remsa brake pads (disks machined before fitting pads)
- New rear OEM valance/diffuser
- Brake hubs/disks painted silver
- VMR V705 rims in gunmetal grey 18x8 ET50
- Michelin Pilot Sport tyres 225/40/18
- McGard wheel bolt kit (M14x1.5) in gloss black
- SPM lowered springs (approx 28mm drop and no scrubbing with my wheel/tyre specs)
- Koni Sport (Yellow) adjustable shocks
- Solid rubber OEM lower control arm bushes (rear ones)


VCDS Tweaks:
- Needle sweep on startup
- Horn beep when locking/unlocking
- Brake light flash during emergency braking
- XDL diff adjustment
- Coded out the towbar from the Canbus (towbar was removed)


As it was traded:








The car on the day i picked it up (had already washed it when i took this photo):




Unitronic Intake:










Interior pulled to bits for shampoo and high pressure clean:






42DD shifter bushings and Verdict Motorsport bracket bushings:




Dirty Exhaust Tips (don't think they had ever been cleaned). Took about 15 mins each to get them clean again.

[Lucas_R]

More random dirt inside and engine bay (all clean now):








Time for some service/maintenance items:














Painted brake hubs and cleaning all the inner guards/suspension parts (removed lining to access):

[AusScare]

Minty fresh! Nice one on the refresh.

[AdamD]

That was one dirty car - especially the exhaust tips - eurgh! Great work on cleaning her up!

Any plans for rims, Lucas?

[Lucas_R]

Minty fresh! Nice one on the refresh.

That was one dirty car - especially the exhaust tips - eurgh! Great work on cleaning her up!

Any plans for rims, Lucas?

Cheers. Yes she was a bit grotty - nothing a few hours of TLC can't cure though. It looks much cleaner now.

Regarding rims, yes we will get some 18's when these tyres wear out. So we will just run the stock rims for another 6 months or so while i find some rims that i like. Will probably get a nice charcoal colour rim.

[Lucas_R]

OEM dump pipe ghetto mod:

I know this won't be looked upon favourably by some....BUT i have an OEM dump pipe sitting in my garage off a GTi that is no longer needed. So this "mod" will cost me no money and i still have a stock (untouched) dump pipe if i ever need to revert back to it. If there's horsepower to be had, and you can have it for free - then why not. So....let's play.

I decided yesterday afternoon to bash out the top catalytic convertor and only retain the bottom one. This should remove quite a bit of restriction from the OEM dump pipe.

Until i get a tune, i will use a 42DD spacer to prevent a CEL.

Took all of 5 mins to knock it out with a hammer and pry bar.

[Lucas_R]

LCA bushes from an Audi TT have been ordered. These are a cost effective alternative to a traditional WALK - although the OEM bushings do not offer caster adjustment. You press the old crappy bushes out and then press in the new ones. This was quite a popular upgrade until the ALK kits from Whiteline and Superpro made a name for themselves. This alternative is about 1/5th of the price of a ALK kit, so worth trying.

These will firm up the steering feedback, reduce flex in the bushing by quite alot, and should help with "wheel hop".

Cost under $50 delivered from the UK.

[brad]

looks great Lucas.

Would be good to get some before/after impressions of the AFE filter & the half-catcon removal.

The 42DD looks like something you could buy locally for about $15 if you know what size thread is used for the o2 sensor. I used to make stuff like that all the time when I worked at Enzed Fluid Connectors.

[Lucas_R]

looks great Lucas.

Would be good to get some before/after impressions of the AFE filter & the half-catcon removal.

The 42DD looks like something you could buy locally for about $15 if you know what size thread is used for the o2 sensor. I used to make stuff like that all the time when I worked at Enzed Fluid Connectors.

As with most panel air filters - not much if any difference to be felt or heard. But the stock filter was dirty and due for renewal anyway - so the $45 USD it cost (along with other things from ECS) wasn't a big cost. The OEM paper air filters are about $25 from ECS anyway. I can wash and reuse the AFE filter, so it will be cheaper in the long run. I made some "mods" to the stock airbox to increase induction noise which helped a bit, although its still quiet compared to my R.

I also have an intake to suit the Mk6 GTi at home (left over bits from all my other intakes ive had on the R), so ill try that out over the weekend too. Ive got a 3" dia silicone connector, a carbon fiber tube in 3" dia thats angled, and a pod air filter in 3" dia. So they will all fit together. Interested to see how that sounds.

I'll be putting on the modified OEM down pipe this weekend providing it stops raining - i should be able to feel/hear some difference with the top cat removed. Also got a new down pipe gasket to relpace at the same time.

As for the 02 sensor - i agree, there's not much to it. I believe its an 18mm thread. I have a spare 42DD o2 spacer at home, so it wont cost me anything.

[Ryan_R]

Nice one Lucas... can you clean my car too?

[Lucas_R]

Nice one Lucas... can you clean my car too?

All that work and im still not finished cleaning it yet Ive probably spent 20hrs just on cleaning it so far (even took out the tail lights and rear bumper and cleaned all the muck from behind there. Im a little OCD with car cleaning

The interior is immaculate now (bar the new custom floor mats im in the process of ordering) but the exterior/underside still needs work.

[Lucas_R]

Productive weekend on the new GTI.

Saturday morning saw the OEM dump pipe removed and replaced with a gutted dump pipe (top cat removed). This is a temporary mod, and I will more than likely get a proper 3” downpipe in the next 6 months or so, but for now I thought I’d remove the “brick wall” which is the dense catalytic converter right at the exit of the turbo and free up some airflow.

Good news is that there is no check engine light (CEL) after doing this mod. I thought I was going to have to run a 42DD o2 spacer, but it would seem not. I have left the second catalytic convertor untouched. I was hoping this might allow some turbo spool noise to be heard, but it would seem not. I think the stock boost level is so low that the turbo is hardly even working.

Fitted the new rear diffuser (old one had a section cut out of it where the towbar used to sit). Arrived in perfect condition from ECS Tuning in under a week along with some other bits.

Fitted the wastegate rattle clip to the little K03 turbo’s wastegate arm. Those with the 2.0TSI engine will be aware of the horrible rattling (sounds like the engine is pinging) sound that these engines make on heavy throttle between about 2.500-4,000rpm. Well the sound is the wastegate rod rattling around. The clip fixes that problem.

Fitted my new 4000k H15 DRL/High Beam bulbs that arrived from France but unfortunately my joy was very short lived as one of the bulbs was defective. Have emailed the company asking about warranty/refund.

OEM Golf R LED tail lights and wiring harness turned up this morning from Bold Sport – so that will be tonight’s job….fitting them and doing the necessary VCDS coding. Also my new steering wheel emblem (bottom emblem with GTI written on it) turned up. The car has a silver emblem in it currently, and then later GTI’s got a silver and dark grey emblem which I like better. Anyway I got the silver and grey one from Bold Sport.

Have been speaking with John from DNA Tuning about a stage 1 or stage 2 tune for the GTI. I was hoping this GTI would have a non-encrypted ECU (being an early 2010 model) but DNA head office in the UK have confirmed that it is in-fact an encrypted ECU and will need to be physically opened to be able to read and write a file to it. So I will park the GTI up in the garage, remove the ECU and send it down to DNA in Melbourne to be opened and tuned. Will be doing this in the next 3-4 weeks.

New Remsa brake pads have arrived from GSL too. The disks need machining, so will remove the disks and do the brakes while the ECU is down with DNA for tuning.

[brad]

So do you think the gutted #1 cat makes a difference?

[Lucas_R]

So do you think the gutted #1 cat makes a difference?

Yes i do think so Brad - the car feels a bit pokier. Wish i was made of money and could have done before and after dyno runs to see what it showed. I think if i had done this once the car is tuned (and running some more boost) it would have been even more obvious.

[brad]

cool.

/adds to list