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Author Topic: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI  (Read 30302 times)

Offline AJP

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #30 on: October 09, 2016, 03:28:36 pm »
Well without trying to tempt fate, I think I've cracked the misfire, and tomorrow I'll be heading off to Wales, with this road as part of my route:



I am enjoying the car a little more at the minute. I seem to have eliminated the most annoying of the rattles, by adjusting the steering wheel a bit. And it feels really strong now the temperatures have dropped. I'm nearly ready to fit the mk7 PP/Clubsport front brakes, and once that's done I can concentrate on upgrading a few bits here and there to make it a nicer place to sit and nicer to look at (head unit, speakers, ed30/R32 rear lights etc).

Fingers crossed the car performs as I hope tomorrow and on the way home. [touches wood]

Offline Lucastheone92

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #31 on: October 09, 2016, 05:15:15 pm »
I feel for you guys. I'm lucky with my 2005. No rattles or noises from the interior. Uses almost no oil too. It's not perfect by any means, but at least it does not irritate me to distraction.
Same here. There's a slight rattle from what I think is the vent in between the front seats but that's it really.


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Offline fab5freddy

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #32 on: October 10, 2016, 06:51:19 am »
Well without trying to tempt fate, I think I've cracked the misfire, and tomorrow I'll be heading off to Wales, with this road as part of my route:



I am enjoying the car a little more at the minute. I seem to have eliminated the most annoying of the rattles, by adjusting the steering wheel a bit. And it feels really strong now the temperatures have dropped. I'm nearly ready to fit the mk7 PP/Clubsport front brakes, and once that's done I can concentrate on upgrading a few bits here and there to make it a nicer place to sit and nicer to look at (head unit, speakers, ed30/R32 rear lights etc).

Fingers crossed the car performs as I hope tomorrow and on the way home. [touches wood]

@AJP so what was the cause of the misfire? Glad to hear it's sorted finally

Offline AJP

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #33 on: October 10, 2016, 07:11:51 am »
Thanks mate. I think (hope) it was a dodgy injector, like we discussed. Update to that thread here http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=108488.msg1056694.msg#1056694

It's been a couple of weeks now and seems spot on. I'll make a more confident judgement once I'm home midweek; it's getting 6 hours of varied driving each way (including those fun bits going over the hills).




Offline AJP

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #34 on: April 13, 2017, 08:30:21 pm »
I thought I'd resurrect this thread of mine considering I'm now back in love with the GTI.

The misfires are now a thing of the past.

I've sorted the crappy RCD300. I've now got an RCD510 DAB (thanks @Pashka) and an MDI kit (thanks @Pudding) with an old ipod in the glove box. And the stone-age phone kit has gone.

I recently got a Ramair intake fitted (thanks @rashg60 and @RetroRaz) and I bloody love it! It's the normal bore one rather than oversize, and put simply, it works. There's definitely more power at higher revs. The thing I love about it though (and I think the reason why I'm now back in love with the car) is the noise. It's pure oldskool turbo spool, chatter, dump noise. It makes driving it hard much more of an occasion.

It's not perfect though - there are a couple of downsides. Firstly, if you're rolling around at low speed with no music on (ie mature/sensible mode) the intake is still rather audible. It's a bit like having Darth Vader in the glove box. Even with tiny throttle inputs, and slow release of the throttle, it's there to be heard, huffing and puffing away. However, crack open the driver's window or stick on some tunes at even a low volume, and you don't hear it. No issue.

Next problem is the dreaded 'goose honk' that some k03 cars get with an intake. It's definitely there, not massively, but it's there. I'd read loads on this before I even considered fitting an intake, so what I understand so far is that the noise is inherent in the k03 setup because of the DV position, and an aftermarket intake can amplify the honk, whereas the standard intake is unquestionably designed to mute the honk. [Good name for a band, that]

Anyway. I spoke to @Dan_FR about this, as he's had some success in adjusting the sections of pipework that make up his intake to eliminate the honk. So I did the same, but to no avail. At this point I've got a few options:

Go k04 (definitely cures it)

Relocate DV (90% confident it cures it)

Try a GFB DV+ in the normal k03 position (the jury's out)

I think I'll try option 2 first. Then I'll probably upgrade to a DV+ sometime soon; they're getting lots of good feedback from people worth listening to.

The honk isn't really bugging me as much as it might without the Powervalve screaming behind me (more on that in a bit) but it's still not perfect so it's still getting sorted.

If anyone has the parts for, or can offer any further advice on the DV relocation, give me a shout.

Back to the good bits then. As I mentioned, the seat-of-the-pants-ometer has detected maybe an extra 10 or so extra BHP over the top end of the revs. It definitely pulls harder up there. And I haven't detected the slightest loss of low down torque. Not one bit. Very happy with the power gains considering it's still on the map that was done with the OE cover on.

The best bit though... Between gears, at full chat, I get a BIG dump noise from it. More than I was expecting. I noticed after getting the Loba fitted a while ago that the exhaust now pops if I change up at about 5200RPM. Coupled with the big 'tishh' from the intake, it's simply glorious! Sounds so much different to how it did at a milder state of tune. It really gives me a buzz to drive now. Love it!

In other developments, it's going in next week to have a set of Vogtland coilovers fitted and a general check up of suspension bits. I won't be going silly-low. I've always wanted it to sit 15-20mm lower than it does on the H&R springs, so this will sort that. My dampers are tired too, so coilies made sense. Vogtland use KW dampers, so it'll be interesting to see how these feel.

There are a few cosmetic bits I'm going to sort before summer (gloss black grilles etc) and then it's decision time: S3 IC and tweak to 2+, or..... a change of turbo.

Time will tell

I suppose this is my build thread now, of sorts. I'll probably move it to the right section at some point!
« Last Edit: April 13, 2017, 08:34:37 pm by AJP »

Offline shoaybmakda

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #35 on: April 14, 2017, 10:16:55 am »
I have a k03 and have never had the honk noise - I fitted a revo intake (no DV+) and there was no honk but I had to get rid as it was just too loud for me.

Opted for a VWR intake and that was much better (this time with a DV+) and still no honk.

I guess I must just be lucky and shouldn't tempt fate!

Offline AJP

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #36 on: April 14, 2017, 10:43:34 am »
I have a k03 and have never had the honk noise - I fitted a revo intake (no DV+) and there was no honk but I had to get rid as it was just too loud for me.

Opted for a VWR intake and that was much better (this time with a DV+) and still no honk.

I guess I must just be lucky and shouldn't tempt fate!
Yeah, you got lucky!

Although it's worth noting that the honk becomes louder/more apparent the more boost you're running. I'm not far off maxing the turbo out so it kind of makes sense I'd hear something.

Are you stage 1? 2? Stock?

The VWR kit is well regarded anyway, I'd stick with that.

Offline shoaybmakda

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #37 on: April 14, 2017, 09:56:19 pm »
I'm stock sort of - currently just have a milltek cat back and the VWR intake.

I was looking to go stage 1 but dunno if I should now if I get the honk!

Or you reckon I should be okay to go as I've got the DV+ fitted?

Offline AJP

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #38 on: April 15, 2017, 06:42:06 am »
I'm stock sort of - currently just have a milltek cat back and the VWR intake.

I was looking to go stage 1 but dunno if I should now if I get the honk!

Or you reckon I should be okay to go as I've got the DV+ fitted?
It's really hard to say. But there are a few things we do know:

Not all k03 cars get the honk.

There is a theory that a DV+ cures it, but I'm yet to read a thread where it is proven to be true in practice. It's just a theory.

DV relocation however, I've found threads detailing how this did specifically cure it.

More boost equals more honk.


Anyway, I'd be willing to bet that those k03 cars that are 'lucky' not to get the honk are the cars running stock or tame Stage 1 boost levels.

If you wanted my advice, I'd say don't hold back on the tuning. These cars come alive at 2/2+. However, you must be prepared to budget for 'reliability mods' along with the cost of maps, downpipes, fuel pumps etc. Count the DV relocation in with mods like an uprated clutch, bigger brakes etc. As in, mods needed to run higher power reliably, and in this case without it sounding like a tone deaf flute player is trapped under the bonnet.

I'm kind of learning as I go along with the DV relocation. It's not a big job as far as I can tell, for the likes of a decent specialist, if it's not something you fancied tackling yourself. Don't let it stop you tuning your car. Just be prepared for the honk if/when it comes along.

Offline AJP

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #39 on: April 15, 2017, 07:06:34 am »
Right, as I've now assumed this as my build thread I might as well detail a few next steps.

Vogtland coilovers are going on midweek with new top mounts and bearings, along with some new front discs to replace the knackered Pagids. The 7R/PP/Clubsport conversion is doing a great job, apart from the discs!

Pretty sure it needs a new thermostat, so I'll get it in for that soon, along with a minor service.

I've noticed a few cosmetic bits I want to sort - a nice new chunk taken out of the offside rub strip thanks to some inconsiderate fool in a car park no doubt. Also my R32 exhaust valance - that I had smoothed and painted gloss black - has a big chip in it. I'll probably remove it, fill, smooth, wrap. Maybe carbon. We'll see. So that lot along with getting the front grilles sprayed gloss black, and maybe a black front VW badge, should freshen things up for the summer. Oh, and I've managed to kerb a wheel, to go along with the mystery damage to the other (tyre fitter I reckon). So they'll need a refurb.

I'm really happy with how it's running in terms of performance now. I'm in no rush to add any more power. I think if and when I do get to that point, it'll be a turbo upgrade rather than a little map tweak from 2 to 2+. I'm pretty much on 2+ hardware anyway (bar the intercooler) and the car seems content with that bit of headroom over the software. It's strong and consistent.

Fingers crossed on the coilovers. I'm not expecting a silky ride, but as long as it's not harsh and uncontrolled, and it gives me a little extra feel in the bends, I'll be happy. Plus (if I'm really honest) I'm looking forward to seeing how it looks 20mm or so lower than on the H&R springs!

That's about it for now. Will update the thread with pics as and when things happen

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #40 on: April 15, 2017, 12:15:22 pm »
Glad to hear you're back in love with it. Good feeling isn't it.

Offline AJP

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #41 on: April 15, 2017, 12:56:50 pm »
Glad to hear you're back in love with it. Good feeling isn't it.
Thanks Dan, it certainly is. And considering I like to keep my cars as long-term projects, 5 years at least, that's a long time to be unhappy with it. So now I'm just looking forward to stepping things up a bit rather than thinking 'what now?!'


Offline Shoduchi

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #42 on: April 15, 2017, 04:01:37 pm »
Glad you love it again. Doing the DV relocation isn't hard. I had to do a partial relocation in my LHD BYD engine. A DV+ is a must have upgrade IMO.  :wink:

Hope you like the new suspension setup. I'll be waiting for the pictures of the coilovers fitted. I've heard wonders to the handling of a setup done with scales. :smiley:

Offline AJP

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #43 on: April 15, 2017, 04:20:06 pm »
Glad you love it again. Doing the DV relocation isn't hard. I had to do a partial relocation in my LHD BYD engine. A DV+ is a must have upgrade IMO.  :wink:

Hope you like the new suspension setup. I'll be waiting for the pictures of the coilovers fitted. I've heard wonders to the handling of a setup done with scales. :smiley:
Thank you I'll definitely get some pics up once they're on.

I've read a few things recently about the DV+ needing a service once in a while. Is this something you've found? I always thought it was truly 'fit and forget'. I'm on a Rev G at the minute, and I really can't fault it. But so many of you really like the DV+, so I'm sure it's only a matter of time until I get one!

I suppose doing the relocation will make things like that much easier in the future anyway. As for that, I've got a plug/blank for the k03 on the way, and also a loom being made up next week, both courtesy of fellow forum members. So I'm slowly piecing it together.

Offline Shoduchi

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Re: AJP's Build - back in love with the GTI
« Reply #44 on: April 15, 2017, 04:28:36 pm »
I haven't done anything to my DV+ since I've fitted it. Don't know when or if it'll need a clean.