Goingnowherefast
Go Kart Champion
- Location
- Walled Lake, MI
Modifying your car $100 dollars at a time…
V1.1 12/18/14 With updated tune information
V1.2 1/1/15 updated with tire information
V1.3 7/26/15 updated with cheap K04 DIY and Upgrade Paths
There’s always people asking how to and where to start modifying their car so I’m going to be compiling a thread of information and links to get people started. First things first, what engine do you have? Open up your bay and look on top of the cover it will either say FSI (2006-8.5) or TSI (2008.5-2009). This guide is mainly for FSI engines.
Engine:
Tunes: Also known as “chips” even though that definition is incorrect. This is the best bang for buck when it comes to easy power gain with little/no modification. There are 5 main options for tuning and all of them offer tunes for bone stock cars to bigger turbo/full bolt-on cars. For the average enthusiast there is also “stages” of tunes, in which the tune will be tailored to a specific set of modifications not you individual car.
-APR: Audi performance racing is a US based company that specializes in most VAG applications. (http://www.goapr.com/) APR tunes through the OBDII port and programs are switched through the cruise control stalk. APR offers stages of upgrades:
• Stage 1: Modifications necessary: none. A tune for a bone stock car that removes the rev limiter and increases boost and modifies timing.
• Stage 2: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe. A tune for a car with just an exhaust; Note: only downpipe is required.
• Stage 2+: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe + upgraded HPFP. A tune for cars with a bit more exhaust flow and fueling.
• Stage 3: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe + upgraded HPFP + APR manifold and GTX2867R Turbo. A tune for cars running a bigger than stock turbo.
• K04 tunes: APR offers many different tunes for the K04 turbo.
-DM: Driver’s Motorsport is an upcoming tuning company offering custom tunes and “staged” tunes at low prices. (http://www.drivermotorsport.com/) Stages are mostly the same as APR but again they are tailor made to your car. They offer heavy E47 support and F23T support as well and have had great reception so far. Tunes can be applied by either sending your unit to Drivers Motorsport or you can buy a handheld programmer that will allow you to flash in the convenience of your driveway.
• Stage 1: Modifications necessary: none. A tune for a bone stock car that removes the rev limiter and increases boost and modifies timing.
• Stage 2: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe and intake. A tune for a car with just an exhaust; Note: only downpipe and intake is required.
• Stage 2+: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe, intake and fuel pump. A tune for a car with just an exhaust; Note: only downpipe, intake and fuel pump is required.
• Tunes for just about any turbo you want (K04, F23T)
-Revo Technik: Revo is a European tuning company that specializes in Volkswagen group and Ford group vehicles. They offer staged upgrades as well and they are basically similar to APR and Unitronic (http://www.revotechnik.com/). Tunes can be uploaded through the OBDII or you can purchase a SPS programmer which will allow you to change tunes on the go and tweak several parameters.
• Stage 1: Modifications necessary: none. A tune for a bone stock car that removes the rev limiter and increases boost and modifies timing.
• Stage 2: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe and intake. A tune for a car with just an exhaust; Note: only downpipe and intake is required.
• Stage 2+: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe, intake and fuel pump. A tune for a car with just an exhaust; Note: only downpipe, intake and fuel pump is required.
• Stage 3: A tune for K04 applications and all of the latter.
• Stage 4: A tune for all the above but with a GT3071R turbo.
• Stage 5: A tune for engines with upgraded internals, bolt-ons and the GT3071R turbo.
-Unitronic: Unitronic is a large tuning company specializing in the VAG platform. They offer staged tunes for our cars ranging from just a reflash to big turbo tunes. Tunes are done through the OBDII port, but you can also purchase UniConnect which allows on the go program switching at your convenience.
• Stage 1: Modifications necessary: none. A tune for a bone stock car that removes the rev limiter and increases boost and modifies timing.
• Stage 1+: Modifications necessary: Intake. A tune for a car with only an intake system.
• Stage 2: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe. A tune for a car with just an exhaust; Note: only downpipe is required.
• Stage 2 HPFP: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe + upgraded HPFP. A tune for cars with a bit more exhaust flow and fueling.
• Stage 2+: Modifications necessary: Downpipe, intake, S3 injectors, HPFP and K04 Turbo.
• Stage 3: Modifications necessary: Downpipe, intake, RS4 injectors, HPFP, a larger turbo of your choice.
-GIAC: Another tuner with over 20 years of experience with many different platforms. They offer stages a bit unlike the other major tuners. (http://www.giacusa.com/products/software/) Tunes are flashed through the OBDII port or a Flashloader can be purchased to changes tunes at your convenience.
• Stage Xplus: Modifications necessary: None. A tune for stock cars. (Note: Downpipe and intake is recommeded)
• Stage X2: Modifications necessary:Intake, Downpipe, HPFP, inter-cooler. A tune for a nearly full bolt-on car.
• Stage X3T04: Modifications necessary: K04, Downpipe, Intercooler, intake, HPFP. A tune for a K04 turbo and supporting mods.
There are many more tuning companies available to check out like: Eurodyne, .dotuning, UM, Gonzo etc.
Intakes: More air means more power and there is a wide variety of intakes available that will accomplish this. Our stock intakes actually flow quite well compared to other cars hence why an intake is not necessary for most of the “off the shelf tunes”, but more air is never a bad thing. Intakes are cheap and there are many to choose from but here’s just a couple to get you started.
-CTS (http://www.ctsturbo.com/cart/products/CTS_Turbo_MK5_FSI_Air_Intake_System-3416-0.html)
-Neuspeed (http://www.neuspeed.com/651097-neuspeed-p-flo-air-intake-kit.html)
- APR (http://www.goapr.com/products/intake_carbonio_20tfsi.html)
Exhausts: For turbo cars there are two main sections that will be talked about with our applications (Cat-backs and downpipes). As the name suggests a downpipe is the section of exhaust that connects from the turbo to past the cats. Also as the name suggests a cat-back is the portion of exhaust that runs from behind the cats (hence cat-back) to the tips. On our cars 90% of the power gain will be had through changing of the downpipe. The stock cat-back flows quite well all things considered. The golden rule for exhausts on our cars is downpipe for power, cat-back for sound. (Note: Turbobacks are both combined AKA a full system)
-Downpipes: Here are just a few popular downpipe options ranging from 2.5-3.0 inches.
• Eurojet (http://www.eurojetracing.com/exhausts/20t/mk5mk6-gtijetta-gli-20t-modular-v-banded-downpipe)
• Euro customs (http://eurocustomstuning.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=31)
• Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/bhp/mkv-gti-downpipe)
• AWE (http://www.awe-tuning.com/awe-fsi-downpipe-w-ceramic-cat)
-Cat-backs: Here are a few cat-back options.
• CTS (http://www.ctsturbo.com/cart/products/CTS_Turbo_VW_MK5_GTI_3_Cat_back_Exhaust-3428-99.html)
• Magnaflow (http://www.uspmotorsports.com/MagnaflowExhaust-cat-back--MKVGTI2.0T.html)
• Autotech (http://www.autotech.com/product/stainless-steel-exhaust/10-297-500K.html?fromcat=)
• Milltek (http://www.millteksport.com/exhaust.products.cfm?variantid=159#.U1fPv_ldXE0)
HPFP upgrade: Stands for high pressure fuel pump. I won’t get into the operation of a direct injection engine too much but basically there are two fuel pumps, a high pressure and a low pressure. For our engines the high pressure fuel pump has a really hard time flowing high rates of fuel at low RPM high load scenarios as well as high hp applications. A few different options exist, some being DIY internals and others being complete pumps.
-APR HPFP: They have two options available either a complete brand new pump with their internals or you can send in your stock unit and they will upgrade it. (http://www.goapr.com/products/fsi_fuel_pump.html)
-Autotech: They sell DIY internals and will also upgrade your stock unit for $50. (http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_V--2.0T/Engine/Fuel/Pump/ES2226090/)
-HPFP upgrades: They sell DIY internals and full pumps.
(http://hpfpupgrade.com/BrowseProducts/Show/Volkswagen/2.0T+FSI)
Water/meth: A lot of tuners offer a 100 octane “race gas” file. Problem is nobody is going to be normally running race gas in our cars as A. It’s expensive and B. It’s not a racecar. The list of benefits that a water/meth setup are vast but mainly you will see lower intake charge temps and will have the ability to advance timing. I.E. you can run the 100 octane file successfully with water/meth and 93 octane gas. There are few good options for this but it may require a good amount of install work and adjusting to get right but are extremely rewarding.
- There are a few main kits but before you buy W/M id recommend checking out this thread http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50805 which has all you need to know about water/meth with our applications.
V1.1 12/18/14 With updated tune information
V1.2 1/1/15 updated with tire information
V1.3 7/26/15 updated with cheap K04 DIY and Upgrade Paths
There’s always people asking how to and where to start modifying their car so I’m going to be compiling a thread of information and links to get people started. First things first, what engine do you have? Open up your bay and look on top of the cover it will either say FSI (2006-8.5) or TSI (2008.5-2009). This guide is mainly for FSI engines.
Engine:
Tunes: Also known as “chips” even though that definition is incorrect. This is the best bang for buck when it comes to easy power gain with little/no modification. There are 5 main options for tuning and all of them offer tunes for bone stock cars to bigger turbo/full bolt-on cars. For the average enthusiast there is also “stages” of tunes, in which the tune will be tailored to a specific set of modifications not you individual car.
-APR: Audi performance racing is a US based company that specializes in most VAG applications. (http://www.goapr.com/) APR tunes through the OBDII port and programs are switched through the cruise control stalk. APR offers stages of upgrades:
• Stage 1: Modifications necessary: none. A tune for a bone stock car that removes the rev limiter and increases boost and modifies timing.
• Stage 2: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe. A tune for a car with just an exhaust; Note: only downpipe is required.
• Stage 2+: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe + upgraded HPFP. A tune for cars with a bit more exhaust flow and fueling.
• Stage 3: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe + upgraded HPFP + APR manifold and GTX2867R Turbo. A tune for cars running a bigger than stock turbo.
• K04 tunes: APR offers many different tunes for the K04 turbo.
-DM: Driver’s Motorsport is an upcoming tuning company offering custom tunes and “staged” tunes at low prices. (http://www.drivermotorsport.com/) Stages are mostly the same as APR but again they are tailor made to your car. They offer heavy E47 support and F23T support as well and have had great reception so far. Tunes can be applied by either sending your unit to Drivers Motorsport or you can buy a handheld programmer that will allow you to flash in the convenience of your driveway.
• Stage 1: Modifications necessary: none. A tune for a bone stock car that removes the rev limiter and increases boost and modifies timing.
• Stage 2: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe and intake. A tune for a car with just an exhaust; Note: only downpipe and intake is required.
• Stage 2+: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe, intake and fuel pump. A tune for a car with just an exhaust; Note: only downpipe, intake and fuel pump is required.
• Tunes for just about any turbo you want (K04, F23T)
-Revo Technik: Revo is a European tuning company that specializes in Volkswagen group and Ford group vehicles. They offer staged upgrades as well and they are basically similar to APR and Unitronic (http://www.revotechnik.com/). Tunes can be uploaded through the OBDII or you can purchase a SPS programmer which will allow you to change tunes on the go and tweak several parameters.
• Stage 1: Modifications necessary: none. A tune for a bone stock car that removes the rev limiter and increases boost and modifies timing.
• Stage 2: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe and intake. A tune for a car with just an exhaust; Note: only downpipe and intake is required.
• Stage 2+: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe, intake and fuel pump. A tune for a car with just an exhaust; Note: only downpipe, intake and fuel pump is required.
• Stage 3: A tune for K04 applications and all of the latter.
• Stage 4: A tune for all the above but with a GT3071R turbo.
• Stage 5: A tune for engines with upgraded internals, bolt-ons and the GT3071R turbo.
-Unitronic: Unitronic is a large tuning company specializing in the VAG platform. They offer staged tunes for our cars ranging from just a reflash to big turbo tunes. Tunes are done through the OBDII port, but you can also purchase UniConnect which allows on the go program switching at your convenience.
• Stage 1: Modifications necessary: none. A tune for a bone stock car that removes the rev limiter and increases boost and modifies timing.
• Stage 1+: Modifications necessary: Intake. A tune for a car with only an intake system.
• Stage 2: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe. A tune for a car with just an exhaust; Note: only downpipe is required.
• Stage 2 HPFP: Modifications necessary: 2.75-3.0 inch downpipe + upgraded HPFP. A tune for cars with a bit more exhaust flow and fueling.
• Stage 2+: Modifications necessary: Downpipe, intake, S3 injectors, HPFP and K04 Turbo.
• Stage 3: Modifications necessary: Downpipe, intake, RS4 injectors, HPFP, a larger turbo of your choice.
-GIAC: Another tuner with over 20 years of experience with many different platforms. They offer stages a bit unlike the other major tuners. (http://www.giacusa.com/products/software/) Tunes are flashed through the OBDII port or a Flashloader can be purchased to changes tunes at your convenience.
• Stage Xplus: Modifications necessary: None. A tune for stock cars. (Note: Downpipe and intake is recommeded)
• Stage X2: Modifications necessary:Intake, Downpipe, HPFP, inter-cooler. A tune for a nearly full bolt-on car.
• Stage X3T04: Modifications necessary: K04, Downpipe, Intercooler, intake, HPFP. A tune for a K04 turbo and supporting mods.
There are many more tuning companies available to check out like: Eurodyne, .dotuning, UM, Gonzo etc.
Intakes: More air means more power and there is a wide variety of intakes available that will accomplish this. Our stock intakes actually flow quite well compared to other cars hence why an intake is not necessary for most of the “off the shelf tunes”, but more air is never a bad thing. Intakes are cheap and there are many to choose from but here’s just a couple to get you started.
-CTS (http://www.ctsturbo.com/cart/products/CTS_Turbo_MK5_FSI_Air_Intake_System-3416-0.html)
-Neuspeed (http://www.neuspeed.com/651097-neuspeed-p-flo-air-intake-kit.html)
- APR (http://www.goapr.com/products/intake_carbonio_20tfsi.html)
Exhausts: For turbo cars there are two main sections that will be talked about with our applications (Cat-backs and downpipes). As the name suggests a downpipe is the section of exhaust that connects from the turbo to past the cats. Also as the name suggests a cat-back is the portion of exhaust that runs from behind the cats (hence cat-back) to the tips. On our cars 90% of the power gain will be had through changing of the downpipe. The stock cat-back flows quite well all things considered. The golden rule for exhausts on our cars is downpipe for power, cat-back for sound. (Note: Turbobacks are both combined AKA a full system)
-Downpipes: Here are just a few popular downpipe options ranging from 2.5-3.0 inches.
• Eurojet (http://www.eurojetracing.com/exhausts/20t/mk5mk6-gtijetta-gli-20t-modular-v-banded-downpipe)
• Euro customs (http://eurocustomstuning.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=31)
• Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/bhp/mkv-gti-downpipe)
• AWE (http://www.awe-tuning.com/awe-fsi-downpipe-w-ceramic-cat)
-Cat-backs: Here are a few cat-back options.
• CTS (http://www.ctsturbo.com/cart/products/CTS_Turbo_VW_MK5_GTI_3_Cat_back_Exhaust-3428-99.html)
• Magnaflow (http://www.uspmotorsports.com/MagnaflowExhaust-cat-back--MKVGTI2.0T.html)
• Autotech (http://www.autotech.com/product/stainless-steel-exhaust/10-297-500K.html?fromcat=)
• Milltek (http://www.millteksport.com/exhaust.products.cfm?variantid=159#.U1fPv_ldXE0)
HPFP upgrade: Stands for high pressure fuel pump. I won’t get into the operation of a direct injection engine too much but basically there are two fuel pumps, a high pressure and a low pressure. For our engines the high pressure fuel pump has a really hard time flowing high rates of fuel at low RPM high load scenarios as well as high hp applications. A few different options exist, some being DIY internals and others being complete pumps.
-APR HPFP: They have two options available either a complete brand new pump with their internals or you can send in your stock unit and they will upgrade it. (http://www.goapr.com/products/fsi_fuel_pump.html)
-Autotech: They sell DIY internals and will also upgrade your stock unit for $50. (http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_V--2.0T/Engine/Fuel/Pump/ES2226090/)
-HPFP upgrades: They sell DIY internals and full pumps.
(http://hpfpupgrade.com/BrowseProducts/Show/Volkswagen/2.0T+FSI)
Water/meth: A lot of tuners offer a 100 octane “race gas” file. Problem is nobody is going to be normally running race gas in our cars as A. It’s expensive and B. It’s not a racecar. The list of benefits that a water/meth setup are vast but mainly you will see lower intake charge temps and will have the ability to advance timing. I.E. you can run the 100 octane file successfully with water/meth and 93 octane gas. There are few good options for this but it may require a good amount of install work and adjusting to get right but are extremely rewarding.
- There are a few main kits but before you buy W/M id recommend checking out this thread http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50805 which has all you need to know about water/meth with our applications.
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