There are quite a few new members here, some of which are asking about mods etc.. so I thought I'd compile whats been done to my Ed30. Have to warn you now that modding is an ongoing thing that only stops when you want it to. Everyone has to decide whats best/optimal for them and I have an idea of what I want and where I want to get to in my head - only problem is that the idea keeps growing...
Enjoy
11th November 08Decided on getting the Ed30 its first mod in the form of a Revo remap. I had been thinking about a remap for 2 years before I finally decided to take the plunge and spend ££££'s on a bit of software Contacted JKM in Portsmouth as they had very good reviews on this and other forums and I decided that I would have a Stage 1 Revo remap with the Forge DV. Safe, sensible, well within limits of both the Ed30's and my financial envelope
Before I visited JKM, I read up more and more on mods that people had done on their cars on golfgti.co.uk and here. I just wanted to make sure that there weren't any other sensible, good value (read cheap) mods that others had done. A couple stood out from the rest - the ECS Dogbone Insert and WALK - so I added them onto the list. Then I thought, I should have the following:
1. Milltek Hi-Flow Spots Cat and Downflow Pipe with Cat Back System (Resonated)
2. K&N Filter
3. Carbonio Intake
4. ECS Dogbone Mount
5. Neuspeed Engine Torque Arm Insert
You can see where this is headed....
14th November 08Had the car remapped at JKM where it made 278bhp on Stage One Revo... and boy did it go Told Keith at JKM that I was only looking to get sensible value mods done at the moment and wanted to keep things as they were mostly - that sentiment lasted until I first put my foot down after the remap and then I was truely hooked.
I got used to the power within 2-3 days and started adding other important 'necessary' mods to help the cars handling which the Stage One remap had made inadequate. The list expanded and I kept pm'ing JKM to add various bits and pieces. The final part was a Stage 2 remap - had to get it and Keith told me that although it could run without an aftermarket fuel pump, it was advisable to get one... I though, what the heck, I've already gone so far done the road whats another £730 odd going to make any difference All I could think of was the sheer acceleration
Visit to JKM 20th November 08 The list now expanded to include the following:
Revo Stage 2 (I had Stage 1 put on 14th Nov and then felt the need to move on to Stage 2 on the 20th )
Revo Select Plus Switch
Milltek Hi Flow Sports Cat
Milltek Resonated Cat Back
Eibach ARBs Front and Rear
Bilstein PSS9/B16 Coilovers set at 20mm
APR Fuel Pump
EVOMS Cold Air Intake
Forge DV
Whiteline AntiLift Kit
Neuspeed Torque Arm Insert
I was going to get the Carbonio, but then read about genuine cold air intakes like EVOMS that are much better. Speaking to Keith at JKM confirmed this and I opted for the EVOMS instead.
It was too much work to do for JKM in one day, so I couldn't get it on the rollers but the car felt savage after this latest round of mods. Had an interesting discussion with Keith regarding the Edition 30 engine. He reckons that it is a detuned S3 lump with a few minor differences... but the ETKA part nos for all the important bits are the same.
5th December Road Rolled @ JKMThe Ed30 made 321.4bhp on the rollers.
Sometime in mid-December:Decided to fit the BBS CH 18" custom alloys that I had bought in the summer. Bought Michelin Pilot Sports for the rear and Michelin PS2s for the fronts.
6th JanuaryWent back to JKM to sort my tracking out and collect my standard bits and peices - car had been off the road since the roundabout incident. Thought I might as well get the Milltek non-res cat back piece fitted while I was there. The car not only drives like a beast now, but sounds like one too... though at 3k rpm on the motorway its a bit too boomy for me - maybe the lack of rear parcel shelf and the fact that the rear seats were folded down didn't help I found myself driving at 70mph to avoid the higher revs. Still, its not too bad and you only hear it when pushing the pedal. Otherwise it sounds superb.
Late JanuaryS3 Intercooler - fitted by myself and family
Carbon Fibre Front Grill
Quaife LSD fitted by VWRacing - this mod was the best one I have done bar the Revo software. Virtually no wheel spin
Revo Stage 2+ - didn't know it at the time, but it didn't make any more power as there was a fuelling issue with the car - only found out on a dyno session with JKM 3 weeks later.
FebruaryCarbon Fibre VW Badges fitted front and back
Carbon Fibre bonnet from Knight Racing fitted
MarchVWRacing Aluminium Race Spec Engine Mounts - NOT for the faint hearted as they really increase cabin noise, but improve handling immensely... and the car launches like a 4wd car now with no wheel spin, wheel hop etc...
So whats next on the list? I told you.. it doesn't stop
1. OSIR CF Engine cover - already bought
2. Carbon Fibre Rear Hatch, Wings and Wing Mirrors and maybe doors although have to look into safety/aesthetic aspects here.
3. DSG Software and Clutch plate upgrade
4. Uprated Brakes
5. Waxoyl of all the nooks and crannies - I don't trust the Mk5 as far as long term rust is concerned
6. Top mounts for neg camber - from VWR
7. Front Strut after consultation VWR8.
8. Sound proofing as the cabin is a bit noisy - but its not cheap. Just got quoted £900 for the interior plus doors minus boot
I'll have probably spent enough to buy another GTI by the time I've 'finished', but its a completely different car to the one I picked up at the showroom 18 months ago - and much better too. However, I bought the car to keep it for good and I would NEVER have spent so much on it if that weren't the case.
