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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Mikester on 09 November 2007, 12:19

Title: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: Mikester on 09 November 2007, 12:19
I have got my first golf gti 2litre 8 valve, and wanted to know the best ways to get extra power from it, its completly standard, with under 100,000 miles, its booked in for a respray, so it looks mint, but i want to increase the power, whats the best things to do, im going to get a performance exhaust, air filter etc, but what mech ideas?

thanks for any ideas?
Title: Re: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: Moos3h on 09 November 2007, 12:32
The usual rules apply, let the engine breathe better - de-cat, good quality exhaust (NOT just a 'show' exhaust, Magnex, Mongoose, Milltek etc. etc. which are built for performance) and then an induction kit.  Don't waste money on the gimmicky ones, just get a K&N or Pipercross and then duct plenty of cool air.

Then you're onto ECU remapping or 'superchipping'.

Then you can look at performance cams, head replacement and if you're really serious, strip out some weight.  The Golf is a lardy car, get it stripped out and you'll gain a much bigger difference than all of the above mods put together!

Don't forget though, anything you do is going to put strain on your brakes, suspension (if you're hammering it around) and on the engine itself.  If there are any signs of the engine needing work (oil leaks / overheating etc.) then you must attend to these first or any 'mods' you make will just land you with a hooj repair bill later on.

Cheers,
James
Title: Re: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: remapped on 09 November 2007, 13:17
many post on hear for tunning mk3s heres a list of mods you can do

Drill the air box and place in a panel filtter  cost £30 - 40

Or fit a good induction kit  can cost up to £70 ( this mod is more for getting a great thorrtle sound )

A De-cat will give you power and also a good full exhaust system can cost up to £600

engine internals  wise you could start at uprated camshafts then look in to re boring the pistons larger injectors larger thortle body which will cost £Â£Ã‚£Ã‚£Ã‚£Ã‚£Ã‚£Ã‚£Ã‚£

once you have done all you mods a good remap/chip/ rolling road tune would help a lot

if you do go for engine work remember you gonging have to stop it !! so look in to bigger brake upgrades such as using brembo 4 pots for the seat leon :)
Title: Re: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: DaveGTiMK on 09 November 2007, 14:27
I don't get it, why did you by the 8v if you are just going to spunk all ya money on bits for the engine, why didn't you just go get a 16valver or the VR6? :rolleyes:

MPG is about the same on the 16v and insurance isn't that much higher either, I just don't get the logic.

Did you get up one day and think "I know I'll go by a hot hatch and get an underpowered 8v unit and spank my dosh on it instead of buying one with a more powerfull engine to start with" no catching the drift on this, just M-opinion.

But yes a new filter and better exhaust is a good move, decat sometimes has to be removed for the MOT so bewear of this, I know some peeps have had MOT's with them on and have passed but not always.

A red line down the side will also make it go faster  :laugh:
Title: Re: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: firstgolfgti on 09 November 2007, 14:30
I don't get it, why did you by the 8v if you are just going to spunk all ya money on bits for the engine, why didn't you just go get a 16valver or the VR6? :rolleyes:

MPG is about the same on the 16v and insurance isn't that much higher either, I just don't get the logic.

Did you get up one day and think "I know I'll go by a hot hatch and get an underpowered 8v unit and spank my dosh on it instead of buying one with a more powerfull engine to start with" no catching the drift on this, just M-opinion.

But yes a new filter and better exhaust is a good move, decat sometimes has to be removed for the MOT so bewear of this, I know some peeps have had MOT's with them on and have passed but not always.

A red line down the side will also make it go faster  :laugh:

I agree if you want performance get yourself 16v or for ultimate madness the VR6 :evil:.

Title: Re: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: boneybradley on 09 November 2007, 18:31
sell it and buy a 16v....the 8v wont even come close to that power even with major work... oh and vr6 is really a cruiser and is torquey low down where the 16v needs a few revs to go (oh and they offer similar performance in the real world)
Title: Re: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: Mikester on 09 November 2007, 22:30
I dont want to pay the insurance on the 16v, lol, im only 19 years old. I was going to get a good exhaust and obv a k'n. Just wondered what else i can do to it. I probably will get a 16v, just i dont want to stump up the extra insurance! lol. tight i konw
Title: Re: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: remapped on 09 November 2007, 22:35
At 19  a GTi 8v is not bad at all !!!! i would say go for mild looks and a nice exhaust  and save up for modding a 16v
Title: Re: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: Guy on 09 November 2007, 22:59
I dont want to pay the insurance on the 16v, lol, im only 19 years old. I was going to get a good exhaust and obv a k'n. Just wondered what else i can do to it. I probably will get a 16v, just i dont want to stump up the extra insurance! lol. tight i konw

if you make any performance mods you MUST notify your insurance company or your insurance will be invalid!!

with mods you will probably be paying as much as you would be for a standard 16v!
Title: Re: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: Mikester on 09 November 2007, 23:02
Yeah, thats the thing, i think as the body on my car, and engine is just perfect, i will stick a 16v lump in next year. If i get the 16v now with insurance, i will mod it and pay even more! lol. So its a big spiral! Will mod up the 8v then put a 16v in next year on renewal i think, sound like a plan?
Title: Re: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: Guy on 09 November 2007, 23:11
just get a 16v next year... you're causing yourself far more work than you need!
Title: Re: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: Mikester on 09 November 2007, 23:24
Indeed, keep the 8v, then on renewal, upgrade. 19 years old isnt bad with an insurace group 14, 16v is group 16, so thats just pushin it!
Title: Re: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: Guy on 09 November 2007, 23:42
i meant buy a 16v car instead of putting a new engine into your current 8v

you could be paying more with mods this year than you would be for a normal 16v with no mods - although that is debatable - and you'd get more power with a 16v with little or no work this year and then you can mod away next year (save you having to do it twice)

8v + mods + increased insurance ≥ 16v + insurance  ??
Title: Re: Ideas on my first golf
Post by: bored_Welsh_lad on 09 November 2007, 23:47
ok... start by memorising the location of this thread

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=62370.0 (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=62370.0)

theres loads of guides and ideas in there for you

then from there i suggest if you want to mod your 8v you look into the following

get a cam from an early mk2 8v gti, its like running a 260 degree cam and with a standard head a lot of aftermarket cams above 260 degrees dont give you their full potentional as the head chokes at high rev

Look at a decat, if you want to do this cheap then get a cat from the scrappy and hone it out with a crowbar to remove all the cat insides... cheap and effective

a chip can be sourced from ebay from a seller called powerchips, they are 30 quid and well worth the money (fitting guides in the above thread)

Deramp your throttle body and port match it to your inlet, making the air flow better

Drill your airbox as per the guide in the above thread

BRAKES!!! the better brakes you have the longer you can stay on the accelarator.

thats about all id suggest you bother doing with your 8v unless you start looking at porting a head yourself... get a spare head and see what you can do.