Author Topic: Sharpening a GTI  (Read 4628 times)

Offline Paul70

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Sharpening a GTI
« on: 13 June 2015, 09:40 »
I recently cancelled my Golf R order as I could stomach the depreciation on 2 new cars in the space of 18 months. I had also ordered a basic spec with TR and Cadiz wheels, which although looks great, I believe will suffer on the desirability and residual front and I have started to see many Rs with this specification in the last few weeks.   

So I decided to keep my GTI although it is a non PP car - long story!

What I'm looking for is guidance on what easily exchangeable modifications can be made - I do not want to remap the car due to the TD1 and warranty scares.

It would be great to get your feedback on the type of mods that will positively change the dynamic of the car. Any feedback if any one these mods could result in a warranty claim begin denied if left on the car - most can be easily exchanged by me apart from the springs.

Current thinking is

AWE performance downpipe due to no CEL and potential 20 BHP gain, which should be noticeable.

Remove sound thingy

APR intake - realise there will be no real gain but it will sound better and it looks great.

OZ Ultraleggera with Michelin PSS

Fast Road brake pads

Eibach springs and uprated ARBs.

BFI uprated mounts 

Thanks for the feedback!
   
2026 Golf GTI ED50 ???
2025 Audi RS3 Vorsprung
2023 MK8 Golf R - sold
2021 MK8 Clubsport ED45 - sold
2016 MK7 Clubsport ED40 - still hanging around
2013 MK7 GTI Black 5 Door (Non PP)
Long gone -1984 Helios Blue Campaign MK1 GTI

Online Exonian

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Re: Sharpening a GTI
« Reply #1 on: 13 June 2015, 13:59 »
I can relate to this thread.

I have two trains of thoughts on this.

Firstly the R: This is a car that has come of age with the mk7. I ordered my mk7 GTI knowing that VW had pulled all the stops out with the chassis design and the vast torque improvement with the engine makes it a true joy to drive - the turbo spools up beautifully and it is a very smooth and tractable engine, reasonably economical, punchy, covers ground really quickly... I could go on.
When the GTI was released it was clear they'd made a big effort to make it a huge improvement over the old mk5 chassis which was quite a feat as this was a very competent car in itself. The inside of the GTI is like home from home - lots of detail improvements over the mk6 but still giving that familiar feel and excellent driving position. VW were saying that following poor 6R sales they might not even import the mk7 R.
Alas, when the 7R was released about 9 years after the mk5 GTI it seemed to hit the same spot that the mk5 GTI hit back in 2004. It was a huge step up over its predecessor and had masses of reserve in both engine and chassis. VW dropped a b0ll0ck by releasing a load of cheap lease deals, thinking it would generate sales of a slow seller, and get it out there on the streets (using the benchmark depreciation of the mk6 R to bolster low monthly payments for the mk7 R) at around the same time as the press cottoned on to the 7R's massive chassis potential and 'good value' at being bang on £30k for a 300 bhp hatch (with 4wd); which is a pretty attractive package even if it doesn't have the prettiest of faces.

I think the 7R is the new mk5 GTI.
Just like the mk5 GTI there will be two schools of buyer - those that want the performance for the price who will keep the spec low, and those that want a small car but have heaps of cash so will go heavy on the options. Both cars will have their market and so long as you don't expect the same return on a zero spec car (which is hardly utilitarian) as one with four grand's worth of extras then you'll be fine, it will be a desirable car for years to come (just like a mk5 GTI).

Those are my thoughts on it anyway, I could well be wrong.

Now on to my pet subject, modifying your GTI without going silly.

Regarding the TD1, you CAN remap but just make sure it's a decent one and that you're prepared to go in and pay the labour rate of the tuner to remove the map before dealer visits. If you break down miles from your pet tuner then you have a bit of a dilemma on your hands! But there would be ways around that.
Personally I'd play safe(r) and get a tuning box.
Having said that, just running a DTE pedal box from DTUK really brings the GTI's engine alive without touching the power output. Try one, you might be surprised.

Springs? I've spent 30 years messing about with GTI suspension and have come to the conclusion that in all that time and with all that money spent I've only ever been happy with about two sets of aftermarket springs I've owned and even then they had drawbacks.
I'm older and wiser now, and unless you're going to drive on track (which I occasionally used to) then the suspension on the modern GTI's are pretty darned good as standard, aside from the damping which could be improved upon a bit. If you fit lowering springs be prepared for at least a bit of harshness. I'm fairly tolerant and run aftermarket suspension on my other car and even that gets on my t1ts a lot of the time.
The suspension/chassis on the PP GTI is basically the same as the Leon Cupra which is the car that became famous for the sub 8 second 'Ring lap - despite all the plaudits for the Golf R, the standard GTI suspension is an amazingly accomplished bit of kit for what it is.

A modified downpipe can throw a TD1 just like a remap and you'll get no real gains unless remapped to take account of it. The main gain of the downpipe would be quicker spool but with less back pressure I'm sure the ECU will log something and it's not something you can easily hide from a dealer.

APR intake - how much time do you spend with your bonnet up looking at it? Waste of money IMO unless you have a map that makes use of its abilities to flow more air.

Fast road pads? How hard do you drive? They wear quicker and tend to be quite dusty.

UPrated ARBS - I like that idea.

Uprated mounts - depends on side effects!

Wheels: I have a friend that is pretty serious about his modding and he swears by OZ alloys as they're light and pretty stylish. However he does a bit of track driving and does say that the OZ's bend easily when used as a road wheel.
Personally I'd go BBS on a German car (and did for a while).
Spacers make the standard wheels look a lot better.

Michelin PSS: now we're talking. Quality rubber.

Only fit parts that are easy to take off again when you sell the car if you want to minimise depreciation. Don't go mad with mods, it's a fast changing world out there and you might find VW release a more attractive GTI in 12 months time, either that or the R will suck you back in.

« Last Edit: 13 June 2015, 14:11 by Exonian »
‘25 8.5R, ‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten 

Offline kenny.c

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Re: Sharpening a GTI
« Reply #2 on: 13 June 2015, 16:43 »
Great post.....totally agree....
Ive added DTUK tuning box + Pedal box + Eibach springs.....totally transformed the car.

On 19" wheels with the Eibach springs I feel the comfort is about as harsh as you would want. I did order some Eibach ARBs but after waiting several months they never turned up so cancelled the order.

Thanks for sharing

Ken
« Last Edit: 13 June 2015, 16:48 by kenny.c »
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Offline RobS23GTI

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Re: Sharpening a GTI
« Reply #3 on: 13 June 2015, 17:15 »
What does the pedal box do if you don't mind me asking and how easy to install? I've got the DTUK box already.
Current - Mk7 Golf GTI w/performance pack
Previous - VW Golf Mk6 GTD, Ford Fiesta ST, BMW M135i, VW Golf MK5 GTI

Offline kenny.c

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Re: Sharpening a GTI
« Reply #4 on: 13 June 2015, 17:37 »
It basically does the same as the "Sport" mode but 300% more...if you get what I mean. It can totally eliminate the deadband in the throttle response depending what setting you have it on and alters the ramp up of the throttle pedal aswell. There are 3 modes from memory each has 6 points of adjustment. I found you can have it to responsive and I could never launch/drive the car smooth. But you will find a nice level to have it at.

Fitting is simple....it plugs in between the throttle pedal and the car harness, much like the tuning box does. Then there is a little control panel used to make your selections....I have this in the little storage compartment near the drivers right knee.

I was very skeptical about these.....but would totally recommend them now. Were as the tuning box really starts working mid/high rpm's...the pedal box does most its work at the lower end of the rpm range.

Ken
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Offline RobS23GTI

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Re: Sharpening a GTI
« Reply #5 on: 13 June 2015, 18:33 »
Great summary thanks Kenny.c
How much are they roughly?
Current - Mk7 Golf GTI w/performance pack
Previous - VW Golf Mk6 GTD, Ford Fiesta ST, BMW M135i, VW Golf MK5 GTI

Offline kenny.c

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Re: Sharpening a GTI
« Reply #6 on: 13 June 2015, 19:41 »
£180.....not sure if there is any forum discount available.

http://www.diesel-performance.co.uk/box-details.php?id=15

Ken
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Offline Paul70

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Re: Sharpening a GTI
« Reply #7 on: 13 June 2015, 19:56 »
Great replies thanks guys - food for thought.

What made you choose Eibach Kenny and are you happy with the results.

I'm still sceptical about the tuning box method. Have you been tempted to go for a remap and sell the box?

Which spring manifacturer would you recommend Exonian - you mentioned two?

Also surprised about the OZ wheels bending so will do some extra research.

Thanks again gents.

2026 Golf GTI ED50 ???
2025 Audi RS3 Vorsprung
2023 MK8 Golf R - sold
2021 MK8 Clubsport ED45 - sold
2016 MK7 Clubsport ED40 - still hanging around
2013 MK7 GTI Black 5 Door (Non PP)
Long gone -1984 Helios Blue Campaign MK1 GTI

Offline kenny.c

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Re: Sharpening a GTI
« Reply #8 on: 13 June 2015, 20:05 »
Im abit of a Eibach "fanboy" ive always used Eibach on all my cars (also have a set on our Mazda3) and NEVER had any problems and always been happy with the ride quality. At work friend of mine also has a GTI with the VW Racing springs fitted (probably the other springs Exonian is likely to recommend) they are slightly lower than the Eibachs and a little stiffer. Dont be fooled into thinking the VWR springs are more warranty friendly just becasue the are VW Racing.....the same dealer discretion applies to both springs.

Im in no doubt a propper remap would be better....but I worry about my car getting TD1 flagged....but the DTUK tuning box and pedal unit is more than enough for me.

Ken

GTI - PP

Online Exonian

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Re: Sharpening a GTI
« Reply #9 on: 13 June 2015, 20:06 »
£180.....not sure if there is any forum discount available.

http://www.diesel-performance.co.uk/box-details.php?id=15

Ken

The GTD80 forum discount should work ok.
Looks like Rob has seen the second hand ones for sale on this forum but there were also a few advertised back along on R forum.

Great replies thanks guys - food for thought.

What made you choose Eibach Kenny and are you happy with the results.

I'm still sceptical about the tuning box method. Have you been tempted to go for a remap and sell the box?

Which spring manifacturer would you recommend Exonian - you mentioned two?

Also surprised about the OZ wheels bending so will do some extra research.

Thanks again gents.


The springs I referred to were on previous cars I'm afraid. I've left my mk7 completely standard in the chassis department. Same with my mk6's.
I found fitting wider wheels made the car look ok in my eyes and just wanted to preserve ride quality.
‘25 8.5R, ‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten