Question to Stage 1 K04 owners

[AJP]

So, those of you with either a mapped ed30, or a k04 converted GTI...

Can you get the power down? Is it usable power?

My k03 car has a Stage 1 R-Tech map, and sometimes spins up in 2nd (Michelin Super Sports). I'm considering a k04 conversion sometime in the future, but I'd only do it if I could really benefit from the extra power. Kind of pointless if I could only use 300hp+ after tempering the throttle in lower gears.

Half of me thinks I'd be better hanging on and going for an S3 or R in a few years... the other half of me thinks it'd be a good idea and turn my already quick car into an animal. And lots of fun.

Anyone fitted an LSD? Do the anti-lift kits do much to help?

Oh, and how are your clutches?!

Cheers!

[Dave(tm)]

I've got a standard k03 (r-tech trip soon!) And struggle to get power down. Mate of mine (and forum member) till me out in his stg2+ ed30 and the difference was massive. Definitely sold on SALK. Seemed to make a great difference - he said it's the best mod he has done.

Dave

[th3_f15t]

Agreed, a SuperPro anti lift kit will help matters a lot, but so will a decent of anti roll bars and springs. Ultimate improvement would be the addition of a limited slip differential but that's a bold move and only worth considering if you plan on keeping the car for a long time.

[GTI-Pirelli]

I don't have the Stage 1 Pirelli anymore - have moved on to a Cupra 280.

Yes. The power is useable and infectious.

Obviously if you plant your right foot in 1st Gear then you'll wreck the front tyres, in exactly the same way as you'd light up the rears on an RWD car.
It takes a little finess to feed the power in for a good start, but you'll get used to the delivery. Nail it in 3rd and you'll be grinning like a cheshire cat! 

[AJP]

Good info - cheers for the replies.

I never floor it in 1st; that would undoubtedly light the tyres up. Don't really do any 0-60 style driving, although 30-'70ish' is a different matter.

I've no issues with traction in 3rd and up - just occasionally lose grip going from 30/40 in 2nd at WOT.

I suppose the k03 delivery is quite punchy anyway so it's to be expected, with nearly 300lb/ft at low revs.

The Super Sports do a decent job, I think I'd be spinning up a lot more on the Kumho Ecstas I had on the previous wheels.

Already on H&R 30mm springs, so I'll definitely look at the Superpro kit soon, and probably front and rear ARBs.

I'm pretty much sold on the K04 conversion itself, I've heard nothing but good things. And from what I gather, the slightly longer spool over a K03 is negligable - it's still a relatively 'small' turbo.

Just need to stop spending my money on Peroni and sort some TTRS stoppers first...

[th3_f15t]

To be honest, if you're going to upgrade the turbo, go straight to a hybrid K04, like the TTE420? It's a very popular choice right now, very cost effective way of achieving north of 400bhp.

[AJP]

To be honest, if you're going to upgrade the turbo, go straight to a hybrid K04, like the TTE420? It's a very popular choice right now, very cost effective way of achieving north of 400bhp.

I have considered that, but I'm not sure how much a BWA can take. Pretty sure the ed30/S3/R bottom ends have stronger rods etc?

I've read plenty about big turbo AXX/BWA engines running 12s etc... but I'd bet you'd hear less about them going off the road a couple of years later after a piston shat itself!

Still, I'm here to be convinced. If it's realistic, it won't be ruled out.

[v4rley]

but I'd bet you'd hear less about them going off the road a couple of years later after a piston shat itself!

  there's one just been listed on eBay that's done exctly that 

[AJP]

Case in point!

[th3_f15t]

350bhp is the safe limit on a BWA/AXX engine, but as long as you're not pushing it all the time, 400bhp is easy enough. Any more and you may want to invest in a stronger engine.

[mdmay]

It's not bhp that kills them it's torque

[th3_f15t]

It's not bhp that kills them it's torque

Very true, but I referenced BHP figures as I'm unsure of the torque values the stock internals can cope with.

[AJP]

350bhp is the safe limit on a BWA/AXX engine, but as long as you're not pushing it all the time, 400bhp is easy enough. Any more and you may want to invest in a stronger engine.

It's safe to say it'd see some hard driving!

I think when you balance cost/performance/reliabiliy there comes a point when selling up and moving on to an awd k04 car becomes the better choice over extensively modifying a fwd k03 car - which is around that 350bhp mark you mentioned - for a variety of reasons.

Mk6 R is a logical choice of course isn't it  

[th3_f15t]

'Nuff said...

[pudding]

K04 is all about top end, so no issues further down the rev band.  Bugger all happens until 2500rpm on that engine. 3000-5500 is where the majority of the beef kicks in and that's why you need the Loba pump, to fuel that 3000-3500 thump.   I much prefer that tbh.  K03 is spent too quickly for my liking.  You need the K04 for despatching those pesky Hondas.

Yeah the ED30 engine has 4 bolt mains, better pistons/rings etc (use hardly any oil compared to the K03 engine) and a harder alloy for the cyl head.  It's easily the best of the old school TFSI engines.

Diff, not essential.  Had one on my VR6 turbo and the torque just overwhelms it and they're still open (unless you go for the Wavetrac) when 1 wheel has no traction, so behave like an open diff on snow/ice.  4WD, boring and not worth dragging the extra 200Kg around for the 95% of driving you will do, plus Haldex has never really been the pinnacle of 4WD excitement anyway.  Subaru or Evo if want proper 4WD.