New ride: '02 MK4 GTI

[leighaus]

Just put a deposit down for my new ride.

2002 mk4 golf GTI 4 dr in satin silver. Manual. Basically dead stock.

Has a faulty glovebox and a few lil scratches on the exterior. I plan on doing the DIY fix on the glovebox from the vortex website.

Giving it a good solid clean and detail first. Then getting some pictures up and continuing a build thread. Plans are for a nice exhaust, intake, install my blitz mechanical boost gauge from previous vehicle. Looking at getting some different taillights, some front foglights possibly and then getting a new grille.

Further down the track ill probably look at chipping it to waken it up a bit, but ill see how it goes for a while.


Pictures in a week. Cheers,
leigh.

[dylan8]

add lowering to the list!
sounds good. enjoy!

[gringo_54_oval]

add lowering to the list!
sounds good. enjoy!

Agreed with that comment.
Also congratulations leigh

[leighaus]

Oh yea, lowering and some concave wheels as well, definately.

Can't wait, thanks guys

[leighaus]

Have now bought a Billy Boat 2.5" stainless catback exhaust, a carbon fibre stubby antenna and lowering springs (might go coilovers later still).

Now all i need is the car. couple of days to wait

[DNA Tuning]

Nice, buying mods before even getting the car. Looking forward to pics.

[leighaus]

It drives well, just doesn't have a lot of power. I think the boost gauge just confirmed my suspicions. Will do a scan and get a leak test done soon. The gauge hits 5 psi and goes no higher, irregardless of gear or load. Which makes me think its in limp mode rather than a leak as vacuum is strong and boost doesn't waiver, it just hits 5 and stops.


Car was dead stock, have since replaced dv, n75, s/s cat back, cranked wastegate

[noone]

Might not be limp mode, sounds like its ready for a tune... I don't know the Mk4 GTI, but same engine in my car. I believe 5-7 PSI for stock is normal. Having changed the diverter, swapped the N75 and cranked the wastegate may not have affected the boost levels much / at all.

I don't know your experience with VAG's, but the 1.8t ECU needs a flash or to be swapped to get the most out of it.

[leighaus]

you may be right, i was under the impression 7-8 psi was stock for the mk4 gti. That information, coupled with having installed an N75J and cranking the wastegate made me think i shouldnt be maxing out at 5psi.

Im not well versed in the VAG scene, i have come from a 5L v8 and an sr20det silvia prior to the GTI. Maybe i was just expecting a little more from the GTI. A smoke test and scan is the only way to know.

If i find out the car is all clear then i will book in a viezu tune, ive already spoken to the local workshop who will do it.

i guess the last possibility is the k03 is on its last legs. However the car has never been modded and was a family car previously. :\

[noone]

A simple clearing of the codes, releasing the adaptation of the ECU (disconnecting the battery for 10 min and discharging) may give it a little more kick. It could be a little aged, it could need the throttle body re-alligned, it could need new spark plugs and be pulling timing, it could be a lot of things.

A smoke test is probably not a bad idea, I've not done this but if you go for it (is it cheap?) make sure they check it for a higher boost than you have now (assuming thats an option).

The 1.8T is a different beast after a tune. I'd be thinking about the intercooler, an uprated diverter valve (the OEM ones are not really designed for 20psi) and checking the service history is good. New spark plugs dont cost much, you can go a little cooler if you are going to be tuning shortly.

A visual check of the vacum pipes coming off the intake manifold only takes a second, but a good mechanic who knows his way around the Mk4 GTI will pick up on little things that you and I wouldn't know to look for. Some of the 1 way return valves near the block get pretty hot and after 10 years may be leaking / blocked.

I'm not trying to be an expert, but think you should alleviate the basic possible issues before replacing gear and playing with the wastegate .

Once you have any issues sorted and the tune on, you'll be a happy with the performance. For a while...