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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: golf nutter on 17 March 2020, 19:42

Title: PP Retrofit
Post by: golf nutter on 17 March 2020, 19:42
have done a quick search but couldnt find the answer...will a dealer do a retrofit of the PP on an older non-PP car?  or is it even worth going down that particular rabbit hole?
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: fredgroves on 17 March 2020, 20:02
have done a quick search but couldnt find the answer...will a dealer do a retrofit of the PP on an older non-PP car?  or is it even worth going down that particular rabbit hole?

A dealer? I'd doubt it.

So the parts list would be:

front brake discs and calipers (?)
Some sort of mediocre sub stage 1 tune

Think that's the only difference.

You'd need to tell your insurer and at the end of it have not a lot more to show for it if you match PP spec.

If you wanted to go down that route, I think you'd be better off with a proper stage 1 tune and a proper performance brake kit - including lines etc. The insurance bill will be the same as will probably the parts and labour!

Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: Guzzle on 17 March 2020, 20:09
There's the diff too.  :wink:

Save yourself a fortune, just stick a red GTi badge on and pretend  :laugh:
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: buddfridge on 17 March 2020, 20:10
+ slip diff.
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: buddfridge on 17 March 2020, 20:11

There's the diff too.  :wink:

Save yourself a fortune, just stick a red GTi badge on and pretend  :laugh:


Lol that was quick, while I was typing :grin:
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: fredgroves on 17 March 2020, 20:24
Oh yes the diff thingy.

Not sure what the options are there, I am certain someone makes a third party one of those too and that probably outperforms the VW OEM one.
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: Watts on 17 March 2020, 20:30
I'd suggest to not bother, it'll cost a fortune because of the diff. Someone on here fitted black vinyl inserts on the GTI badges which looked good. The extra power of the PP is mostly due to the extra weight of the diff so yours will likely go just as well 90% of the time and in every day driving 100% of the time. If you wanted to spend a reasonable amount then get the PP front brakes, a SH set will probably be quite cheap and fit vented rear discs. The GTI badge on the calipers does look good :smiley:
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: fredgroves on 17 March 2020, 20:54
This is the proper LSD I was think of:

https://shop.quaife.co.uk/vag-2wd-dsg-20t-quaife-atb-helical-lsd-differential

Lighter and higher performance than the VW PP one.

As I said earlier, with some proper performance parts its almost certainly cheaper than going matching the PP build and the insurance company won't hate you any more because even OEM parts are "modifications" and they don't care exactly what it is you have done - might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: mcmaddy on 17 March 2020, 21:26
That site says it's a direct replacement Fred so maybe pp engine/gearbox are different to standard ones ??
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: golfdave on 17 March 2020, 21:58
have done a quick search but couldnt find the answer...will a dealer do a retrofit of the PP on an older non-PP car?  or is it even worth going down that particular rabbit hole?

You would require the following parts from the PP/R:
1. front 340mm brake discs/& 60mm calipers
2. bigger rear vented brake discs 310 x 22mm
3. bigger brake servo/master cylinder


Then fit & wire in a new loom for the PP "Diff" which is NOT a "diff" or LSD"...but a VAQ unit..which is bolted onto the drivers side driveshaft after the existing open diff in the gearbox..

& finally loads of VCDS coding in the braking, ecu & other modules to tell the cars safety & stability systems what other electronics it now has!

Better of fitting either Audi TT-S (ATE) 4pots & 340mm discs (straight bolt on to the front) or the Porsche Macan Brembo 4pots & 345mm Mk6 R discs, stage one tune & a Wavetrak diff in place of the existing open diff...& a better clutch whilst the gearbox is open..
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: barrym381 on 18 March 2020, 10:01
have done a quick search but couldnt find the answer...will a dealer do a retrofit of the PP on an older non-PP car?  or is it even worth going down that particular rabbit hole?
Just sell the car buy a pp one
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: mike roberts on 18 March 2020, 10:07
Is the correct answer...
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 18 March 2020, 10:15
I'd suggest to not bother, it'll cost a fortune because of the diff. Someone on here fitted black vinyl inserts on the GTI badges which looked good. The extra power of the PP is mostly due to the extra weight of the diff so yours will likely go just as well 90% of the time and in every day driving 100% of the time. If you wanted to spend a reasonable amount then get the PP front brakes, a SH set will probably be quite cheap and fit vented rear discs. The GTI badge on the calipers does look good :smiley:

I had the gloss black GTI inlays, looked great as decided didn't want to try and look like a PPretender.

(https://i.postimg.cc/jdQvK5V7/IMG_8879.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/56y8Sf24)

(https://i.postimg.cc/MKNzyRyB/31FB559C-9B4D-42AD-8CF1-57B8FF3E35F6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RN1rmWpC)

For me, the Performance extras don't make night and day difference. The extra power is there for sure and mine pulls very strongly (always wonder if slightly over 242bhp). The diff can be felt when you get the traction turned off and get some on tight twisty roads. The brakes are very strong. But the standard 7.5 GTI I had before was still a great car and if you added a remap, stick some decent tyres on and got some upgraded pads it probably would be a serious bit of kit.

The biggest difference for me is the 7 speed DSG as this is so much better than the 6 speed. And that's not something you can easily change.

Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: AmbushReality on 24 March 2020, 16:41
I believe on top of all that has been mentioned, the exhaust is different as well...
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: golf nutter on 24 March 2020, 18:32
i think mountune do a kit of parts that equals a PP.  wouldnt go so far as fitting a diff, although it may transform the car.  Interested to know TTS discs fit under standard 18" austins.  keep toying with a remap but dont want to jump from 220 to 310 as the spec of the gen3 engine isnt exactly the same as the R with that power output is it?  dont want to wear out the drivetrain trying to throw too much power through it.
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: dubber36 on 26 March 2020, 08:17
keep toying with a remap but dont want to jump from 220 to 310 as the spec of the gen3 engine isnt exactly the same as the R with that power output is it?  dont want to wear out the drivetrain trying to throw too much power through it.

The potentiometer that you operate with your right foot controls the way that the power is delivered to the drivetrain.
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: Sootchucker on 26 March 2020, 14:11
I must admit, whilst the extra 10ps and the electronic LSD I most likely would never miss, (I probably don't drive the car hard enough to get the use out of), I've always liked the bigger "logo'd" front brakes from the PP version. Really finishes the car off. Quite miss having those on my non PP GTI.
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 26 March 2020, 14:12
I must admit, whilst the extra 10ps and the electronic LSD I most likely would never miss, (I probably don't drive the car hard enough to get the use out of), I've always liked the bigger "logo'd" front brakes from the PP version. Really finishes the car off. Quite miss having those on my non PP GTI.

Yes, they do look good and definitely a bit 'beefier' than the std ones.
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: Sootchucker on 26 March 2020, 14:50
Cars's PCP is up next year, and currently I'm thinking of just buying it outright (we have the money already), especially as there's nothing really out there (in my price bracket) that really floats my boat, so as it's currently only got 13,000 miles on it, i might just keep it.

If that's the case, I might have a look then at upgrading the fronts to the PP calipers, discs and carriers as I've seen quite a few on the internet for sale. Are they a straight swap and would they require any VCDS coding ?

But then with what's going on at the moment, things could really change.
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: fredgroves on 26 March 2020, 15:14
As I said earlier in this thread, the PP brakes while better than the standard GTI ones are still hardly high performance. They are heavy and a bit meh.

The insurance company won't ask if you have fitted four pot light weights, they will just ask if you have upgraded the brakes.

Might as well fit some proper stoppers.
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 26 March 2020, 16:00
I'd say most people upgrade because they think they look better and the large GTI logo'd ones do look a lot better.

There aren't many places you can fully test a car's brakes to the limits on the road and to be honest, that style of driving is only useful on a track.
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: fredgroves on 26 March 2020, 17:36
I'd never shy away from having better stoppers.

You don't need to be racing, just being able to stop in a shorter distance is always a good plan.

I can't see the point of spending the money just for looks  :whistle:
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 26 March 2020, 17:48
I'd never shy away from having better stoppers.

You don't need to be racing, just being able to stop in a shorter distance is always a good plan.

I can't see the point of spending the money just for looks  :whistle:

And the GTI with the performance brakes manages that extremely well. Not sure about GTDs but the GTI certainly doesn’t need to stop any better unless you are planning more power or going on the track every weekend.
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: Guzzle on 26 March 2020, 18:22
My GTD stops pretty well with its standard brakes. Or at least it did when some idiot in an Astra estate pulled out right in front of me on a dual carriageway.

Having said that, my Otcy vRS had bigger brakes, and  I could certainly tell the difference.
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: golf nutter on 27 March 2020, 17:14
i am impressed by the GTi's brakes...bit grabby at the top like most VAG overservo'd brakes but they are strong.  not sure i would need to change them for road use.
Title: Re: PP Retrofit
Post by: Exonian on 27 March 2020, 21:47
I'd say most people upgrade because they think they look better and the large GTI logo'd ones do look a lot better.

There aren't many places you can fully test a car's brakes to the limits on the road and to be honest, that style of driving is only useful on a track.

Agreed.
Reading sootchucker’s posts here I’d say the aesthetics were of more importance than ultimate stopping improvement (the latter being a positive byproduct) and I’m sure he’s far from alone.
Remembering back to 2013/4 many people ordered the PP as much for the brakes with the logo because they liked the look as for the benefits of the VAQ.