>70,000km polo gti, ability to handle tune?

[arcenite]

Hey guys!

I just got my Polo GTI today! Can't wait to mod it, but I'm unsure whether should I tune first or should I replace the other parts first such as suspensions/cold air intake etc. As far as budget goes, I doubt I'll be able to purchase everything at one go. I've scoured the forums for a bit and I noticed that some said to tune first, and others, later.

I would probably have enough to get a tune, cold air intake & filter, DV and probably a short shifter. What sort of mod would make the sound of the turbo more distinct? A new exhaust?

Sorry if it sounds really stupid but this is my first time at modding a car, any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers :)

[h100vw]

No worries tuning your Polo.

I always advise getting all the hardware first and then tune for best effect.

You get more of a whistle off the turbo once the ECU has been flashed.

There was just a big Polo dyno day in QLD, lots of information for you in there.

Gavin



Hey guys!

I just got my Polo GTI today! Can't wait to mod it, but I'm unsure whether should I tune first or should I replace the other parts first such as suspensions/cold air intake etc. As far as budget goes, I doubt I'll be able to purchase everything at one go. I've scoured the forums for a bit and I noticed that some said to tune first, and others, later.

I would probably have enough to get a tune, cold air intake & filter, DV and probably a short shifter. What sort of mod would make the sound of the turbo more distinct? A new exhaust?

Sorry if it sounds really stupid but this is my first time at modding a car, any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers :)

[arcenite]

Cool! I was just worried that the stock parts on the car wouldn't be able to take the added power from the tune since it's pretty old. :s

[noone]

Some elements might not perform 100%, you may not hold peak boost as the stock diverter valve is known to fail, but it may be fine. Worth considering an upgrade to this, ensuring your spark plugs are reasonably new (last 40,000 kms) and you can always benefit from checking your boost pipe clamps are tight.

[nightphotographer]

70k is brand new! I've just had my car tuned today at 123K - these engines are bulletproof and as long you maintain the car properly it is unlikely you'll have any problems. hahaha 70k, man that's only just wearing in!

[arcenite]

Good to know! I'll definitely get those boost pipe clamps/spark plugs checked when I send it in for service. From experience do you guys just buy the parts and fit them yourselves? Would it be possible to get someone to do it without getting peeved off because I imported the parts? :o Any recommendations would be appreciated :).

I was reading up on DV's and I understand they're pretty much like BOV's, from my research, it appears that the APR DV's do not produce much sound. Does anyone know of any that are able to produce slightly more sound without going overboard? I might just get the APR ones at the end of the day though if it's too much of a hassle because I don't have a garage nor the experience to DIY :(.

[gavs]

Diverter valves do just that, they divert the excessive boost from when you close the throttle back into the intake stream instead of into atmosphere like a blow-off valve. The only benefit of a blow off valve over a diverter valve? The ricer noise effect ;)
Diverter valves also vent back into the intake stream due to emissions regulations because your intake has the breathers for the crank case etc, these gases are not allowed to vent back into the atmosphere. Diverter valves can also negligibly increase performance over blow-off valves due to pre-charged air already in the intake so the turbo theoretically doesn't need to work quite as hard to generate boost, a blow-off valve removes all boost.

[s4mmie]

An APR diverter with a tune is plenty loud. Load the engine up and change gear and it sounds like I've got a full vent to atmosphere sometimes. I do it to stir the ricers :P If you want it any louder fit an open air pod filter.

I'll have an APR R1 diverter for sale soon..

[kaanage]

Diverter valves can also negligibly increase performance over blow-off valves due to pre-charged air already in the intake so the turbo theoretically doesn't need to work quite as hard to generate boost, a blow-off valve removes all boost.

Wouldn't that make a BOV a real world performance reduction over the DV since throttle response would be worse on the upshift?

[Smead]

70k is brand new! I've just had my car tuned today at 123K - these engines are bulletproof and as long you maintain the car properly it is unlikely you'll have any problems. hahaha 70k, man that's only just wearing in!

Got my Polo done with an APR Stage 1 + tune at around 80,000 KM

Its now getting to 165,000km with no problems at all (touch wood :))

So no problems at 70,000 odd Km. As NP said these engines are bullet proof

[arcenite]

Looks like going for the DV would be a better choice :). Besides it'll probably save me from having to explain to my parents what the sound from the BOV is :D. Not worth getting an hour lecture over a BOV I suppose xD.

Man those Polos can take a beating can't they! Glad to know they're really reliable, at least I know I can use it for a loooong time :). Oh and has anyone fit the dogbone mount? I realised that it's either a hit or miss when it comes to those upgrades, risking $120 for install+mount got me thinking...

Tough luck for me today... =/ found out that the Polo has been written off and was damaged by the flood in NSW. Thank goodness I can get my money back. Ugh... I can't wait to get the Polo, I've been looking at upgrades all week and no Polo! :mad: Time to stalk carsales again :(

edit: Oh and regarding pod filters, I read somewhere that it could reduce the performance of the turbo. Might just settle for a DV instead since it's supposed to be relatively loud enough after the tune. Haven't heard it yet but thanks for the pod recommendation though! :)

[Blitzen]

Sux about the car. But it's better that you find out now.

There are plenty of thread in this Forum about almost every mod you can do to the car, and they have been tried and tested.

The Dog Bone Bush can be picked up for about $50 on eBay, and takes about 20min to fit. The best easy mod I can recommend are Tune, DV (APR DV/Forge 007 or 008), Forge TIP, SEAT PD160 intake and Coilovers.

[bakersdelight]

An APR diverter with a tune is plenty loud. Load the engine up and change gear and it sounds like I've got a full vent to atmosphere sometimes. I do it to stir the ricers :P If you want it any louder fit an open air pod filter.

I'll have an APR R1 diverter for sale soon..

What are your intake mods? I also got APR tune and APR R1 DV, I can't really hear it unless i listen really carefully... and I got PD160 and K&N panel as well... :confused:

[Blitzen]

My Forge 007 DV with the 17-21lb spring last of a distinctive 'tweet' when I back off or change gears.

[s4mmie]

What are your intake mods? I also got APR tune and APR R1 DV, I can't really hear it unless i listen really carefully... and I got PD160 and K&N panel as well... :confused:

It's quiet when I'm pootling around and noisy when I give it the boot.
Give it WOT in 2nd at around 30-40km for a few secs until the turbo just starts to spool and then back off and you'll see what I mean..

[Bflat]

I've recently installed the Jabbasport 'cone in a box' filter.
James (Nightphotographer) also has this and gets a nice 'breathing-off' sound when he backs off the throttle.

Dissapointingly enough I've got no idea whether I've got this noise because I can't hear it over my exhaust :(

[Bflat]

I've recently installed the Jabbasport 'cone in a box' filter.
James (Nightphotographer) also has this and gets a nice 'breathing-off' sound when he backs off the throttle.

Dissapointingly enough I've got no idea whether I've got this noise because I can't hear it over my exhaust :(

[noone]

Diverter sounds better with N249 bypassed (only routing of Vac lines needs to be changed) and better again when the whole Vac system on top of the engine is bypassed.

My car seems to run that little nicer without the SAI.

[Redliner]

Diverter sounds better with N249 bypassed (only routing of Vac lines needs to be changed) and better again when the whole Vac system on top of the engine is bypassed.

My car seems to run that little nicer without the SAI.

Hi noone.
Do you have a link for the guide to remove the sai and N249. Its on my list of "to do" things.

[arcenite]

Sux about the car. But it's better that you find out now.

There are plenty of thread in this Forum about almost every mod you can do to the car, and they have been tried and tested.

The Dog Bone Bush can be picked up for about $50 on eBay, and takes about 20min to fit. The best easy mod I can recommend are Tune, DV (APR DV/Forge 007 or 008), Forge TIP, SEAT PD160 intake and Coilovers.

Yeah it could've been worse I'd imagine :s.

Yeah I've been reading up, there're pages and pages of mods, can't afford all though unfortunately!! :(

I would need a proper jack to get under my car to fit it I suppose yeah? I don't have a garage or anything :( so if I end up having to buy a jack it probably wouldn't be worth it right? When it comes to dog bones... not sure whether it'll cause future car to be a vibrator on wheels :D. Only 1 way to find out!

Are coilovers really necessary? I mean other than lowering the car and making it look badass(which is well worth the money) :). Most of the things I've read is about being able to take bumps on roads better etc., thus making it smoother to drive. I'm most likely going for all of the upgrades that you've stated but I'll need to decide between coilovers and good road tyres. I was thinking of saving on suspension and probably get a set of michelins, so far all of the used cars that I've test-driven have really crap 100$ tyres that're garbage in the wet. I get a lot of wheel spin on a rainy day, doesn't make me feel very safe :(.

Regarding DV's, I was looking at the Forge ones that you recommended. I read that you need to maintain them or something and that the APR R1's are more convenient because they're able to maintain it for you for free. Not sure with the technical bits =/.

Regarding the N249's I probably need to get that done in a workshop :D, from what I'm reading, sounds exactly what I want, lesser boost fluctuations! I noticed that the stock polo gti does have a significant lag time for the boost, but I've also read that the tune does solve that problem. Are there any other things that smooth out the boost? So far all that I know is that DV's and tunes will help somewhat regarding the smoothness of the boost.

Ok this is gonna sound dumb... what's an SAI?

edit: just saw a video of a polo that had a Forge 008 installed, sounds good to me! :p if anyone's interested, here's the link to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipfe2I0xJ6E

[kaanage]

Definitely tyres before coilovers if they're no name cheapies but mention them here first as some obscure brands do make decent tyres. And it doesn't need to be coilovers unless you're obsessed with drop (or you're REALLY serious with cornereing and are going to corner weight the car) - a cup kit (springs and matched dampers) are just as good (possibly better for the same money) performance wise, until you get to the more expensive colivers with adjustable dampers.

The dog bone mount affects different people in different ways - some say the vibration is really annoying while others don't feel a difference but it seems mainly to be noticable with the aircon on.

Have you considered short shifter? I didn't think the Polo needed it but I love mine, now. Check the threads about it.

Where in Vic are you? There are people down here with most or all of the mods you are contemplating and could demo their car to you.

As for the jack, you don't want to work under car unless you also have a set of jack stands (preferrably the pint adjustable type - not the ratchetting ones), a level surface to work on and things to chock the tyres at the other end of the car (a couple of bricks will do). Going under a car supported by just a jack is suicidal.

I think the plug caps (which contain the coils) are another point that need checking on a Gti but those guys who own them will know better than me :)

[s4mmie]

I had the APR dog bone mount fitted and from what I remember it was an 85K bush, pretty stiff. The missers didn't like it and I started getting a few dash rattles so I took it out. I've ordered the 70K softer diesel version from Super-pro so crossing my fingers its more friendly.. It does improve things :)

[Bflat]

I had the APR dog bone mount fitted and from what I remember it was an 85K bush, pretty stiff. The missers didn't like it and I started getting a few dash rattles so I took it out. I've ordered the 70K softer diesel version from Super-pro so crossing my fingers its more friendly.. It does improve things :)

I installed the 70shore Superpro bush over 3 months ago and have loved it everyday since. It stiffens up the gear selection responsiveness and transfers hardly any cabin vibration (only with aircon on full blast can I slightly notice it!).

Why the pog didn't come with one like this stock I'll never know (probably $$$'s, goddamn accountants)

[arcenite]

Definitely tyres before coilovers if they're no name cheapies but mention them here first as some obscure brands do make decent tyres. And it doesn't need to be coilovers unless you're obsessed with drop (or you're REALLY serious with cornereing and are going to corner weight the car) - a cup kit (springs and matched dampers) are just as good (possibly better for the same money) performance wise, until you get to the more expensive colivers with adjustable dampers.

The dog bone mount affects different people in different ways - some say the vibration is really annoying while others don't feel a difference but it seems mainly to be noticable with the aircon on.

Have you considered short shifter? I didn't think the Polo needed it but I love mine, now. Check the threads about it.

Where in Vic are you? There are people down here with most or all of the mods you are contemplating and could demo their car to you.

As for the jack, you don't want to work under car unless you also have a set of jack stands (preferrably the pint adjustable type - not the ratchetting ones), a level surface to work on and things to chock the tyres at the other end of the car (a couple of bricks will do). Going under a car supported by just a jack is suicidal.

I think the plug caps (which contain the coils) are another point that need checking on a Gti but those guys who own them will know better than me :)

Yeah I'm not necessarily obsessed with drop and don't race or anything, just aggressive driving style :p. I'll definitely be getting a short shifter, test drove other cars that had one and absolutely loved them. Can't with without them in my opinion xD.

I live around the Huntingdale area, I probably wouldn't know the difference other than the tune which is an obvious power boost :rolleyes:.

Yeah I definitely won't have the option of working under it, don't have the expertise either :p, probably need to go to a workshop to get it modded even for the easiest of mods :facepalm:.


I installed the 70shore Superpro bush over 3 months ago and have loved it everyday since. It stiffens up the gear selection responsiveness and transfers hardly any cabin vibration (only with aircon on full blast can I slightly notice it!).

Why the pog didn't come with one like this stock I'll never know (probably $$$'s, goddamn accountants)

Where did you get that dogbone mount from? Couldn't find it at ECS/dpm, or am I blind :eek:.

When do you guys think would be a good time to buy a Polo? It's nearing the end of the year and I'm wondering whether I should wait for 1-2 months since it's not that far off anyway.

[Blitzen]

You can get the Dogbone mount on eBay for a pretty good price. You can't get it on ECS as they donth have the Polo in the USA.

Best time to buy a Polo GTI?? When you have the money and when you feel you can afford it.

[s4mmie]

If you can't find one on eBay I just ordered mine from supercheap, $102, came in the next day :)

[Bflat]

Bursons were 80 something

[Redliner]

Where did you get that dogbone mount from? Couldn't find it at ECS/dpm, or am I blind :eek:.



I bought mine from ebay $53:
VW Polo 9N 02-08 Powerflex Petrol Car Front Engine Mount Insert Bush PFF85-620 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VW-Polo-9N-02-08-Powerflex-Petrol-Car-Front-Engine-Mount-Insert-Bush-PFF85-620-/110882167139?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19d1179963)

[arcenite]

What're the things to look out for when buying a dogbone mount? I don't want really stiff ones like the apr one, spraycan said they were 8k5 or something? Can't seem to find anything that shows the number of K's it is. I checked out the ebay one, is that 85K? Doesn't it make your car vibrate when you turn on the air conditioning? :o

edit: hahaha buller's diesel gti http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2krKiWzh25Y&feature=player_embedded does this only happen to diesel engines though?

I was looking at getting the kit: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VW-Polo-9N-02-05-Powerflex-Big-Wishbone-Bushes-PFF85-602-/120861488845?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c23e7f6cd#ht_1052wt_1163

Doubt it'll fit the 2006 polo though... or maybe it will? :o Hmm.. I'm confused, a dogbone is different from a mount... right?

[s4mmie]

That linked eBay one shows the picture of the 85K version but the part number is for the softer sports version.
Powerflex do three version, track, sports and diesel.
I can't comment on the Powerflex version, but I went the diesel version in the Superpro as they're deliberately softer. I know how annoying the 85K was.. the sports version might be ok, but I went with the softest to be safe. It's still got to be better than the standard bush.

The track and diesel version are the same part number with an 'R' or 'P'

[Blitzen]

Unless you have a diesel, you will hardly feel it. I have had one for over 103,000km now, and don't even notice the vibration with the Air Con on.
I think you are focussing too much on what the vibration will be. If you put a denser bush in, it's going to cause vibration. If you don't want any vibration increase, leave the stock bush in there.

[s4mmie]

Just out of curiosity, which bush do you have Blitzen?
I think that's where most of the confusion comes from. Some people say it's fine, others say it's too harsh. It's probably because they all have different shore bushes! The 85K APR sucks for a daily driver, it does it's job well but increases vibrations wayyy too much for me.

[arcenite]

Does anyone have any experience with this? VW Polo 9N 02-08 Powerflex Petrol Car Front Engine Mount Insert Bush PFF85-620 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VW-Polo-9N-02-08-Powerflex-Petrol-Car-Front-Engine-Mount-Insert-Bush-PFF85-620-/110882167139?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&clk_rvr_id=386750169613&hash=item19d1179963#ht_1383wt_1163)

Or should I stick with the diesel one if it's safer? VW Polo 9N 02-08 Powerflex Diesel Front Engine Mount Insert Bush PFF85-620R | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VW-Polo-9N-02-08-Powerflex-Diesel-Front-Engine-Mount-Insert-Bush-PFF85-620R-/110882167221?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19d11799b5#ht_1403wt_1163)

Do I have to sacrifice a significant amount of performance so that it'll vibrate much lesser? I can deal with it if it's just a little bit less performance.

[Redliner]

Does anyone have any experience with this? VW Polo 9N 02-08 Powerflex Petrol Car Front Engine Mount Insert Bush PFF85-620 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VW-Polo-9N-02-08-Powerflex-Petrol-Car-Front-Engine-Mount-Insert-Bush-PFF85-620-/110882167139?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&clk_rvr_id=386750169613&hash=item19d1179963#ht_1383wt_1163)

Or should I stick with the diesel one if it's safer? VW Polo 9N 02-08 Powerflex Diesel Front Engine Mount Insert Bush PFF85-620R | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VW-Polo-9N-02-08-Powerflex-Diesel-Front-Engine-Mount-Insert-Bush-PFF85-620R-/110882167221?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19d11799b5#ht_1403wt_1163)

Do I have to sacrifice a significant amount of performance so that it'll vibrate much lesser? I can deal with it if it's just a little bit less performance.


I have installed :
VW Polo 9N 02-08 Powerflex Petrol Car Front Engine Mount Insert Bush PFF85-620 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VW-Polo-9N-02-08-Powerflex-Petrol-Car-Front-Engine-Mount-Insert-Bush-PFF85-620-/110882167139?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&clk_rvr_id=386750169613&clk_rvr_id=386750169613&hash=item19d1179963#ht_1383wt_1163)

I don't feel any vibration even with the air on. Responsiveness is great. You can feel the clutch alot better. I would only suggest going to a stiffer bush for track cars or high horspower applications. Plus its only $53.

[arcenite]

Sweet! I might get that then :) regarding ECU tuning, is an intercooler recommended? I mean, if it isn't that much of an aggressive tune, shouldn't the stock be able to handle it sufficiently?

[noone]

You can get a tune now and IC later...
The main issue with the stock IC is heatsoak. When you add more boost, you add more heat. If you punch it a few times, each additioal time, there is more heat that didn't get eliminated and the timing of the engine and density of Oxygen are reduced.

If you're going fast in 5 deg weather, you don't need one, for normal driving in summer, heat soak is very noticable.

[Catfish]

I've tried a few different dogbone bushes, and as far as I can work it out the hardness goes like this:

Powerflex red (diesel) <70 - but cofusingly with 85 in its part number
Powerflex yellow (petrol) 70 - but also with 85 in the part number
Powerflex purple (track) 85

Superpro purple (sports) 70
Superpro purple (competition) 80

APR purple (sport) 70
APR yellow (motorsport) >80

Happy to be corrected if anyone knows otherwise. For the record, I prefer the Powerflex petrol for the GTI.

[Blitzen]

Just out of curiosity, which bush do you have Blitzen?
I think that's where most of the confusion comes from. Some people say it's fine, others say it's too harsh. It's probably because they all have different shore bushes! The 85K APR sucks for a daily driver, it does it's job well but increases vibrations wayyy too much for me.

Haha, yeah, I was confused!! I have an APR bush.


Sweet! I might get that then :) regarding ECU tuning, is an intercooler recommended? I mean, if it isn't that much of an aggressive tune, shouldn't the stock be able to handle it sufficiently?

I have had the APR stage One V2 tune since Dec 09, in have never run an aftermarket intercooler (though God knows I want one!! But other things of greater priority always seem to come up!!). You don't need to run a bigger intercooler to the stock one with a basic tune, but there is nothing wrong with having it there.

[noone]

Do you have a link for the guide to remove the sai and N249. Its on my list of "to do" things.

I'll do up a new thread to keep it simple.

[arcenite]

anyone living around the SE suburbs who tunes cars and needs an extra pair of hands? :p